santonica

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Levant wormseed
• Levant wormwood
• santonica wormwood
• wormseed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Artemisia mogoltavica
• Seriphidium mogoltavicum
• Seriphidium cinum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae, falling under the genus Artemisia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. In Central Asia, it can be found growing within the borders of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Its range extends further into Western Asia, where it is documented in Iran. Additionally, the species is present in the North-Central part of China. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit various terrains across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Artemisia cinerea is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse and often challenging environmental landscapes. It is primarily found colonizing open plains, where it can establish itself amidst low-lying vegetation and exposed terrain. Additionally, the species demonstrates a strong affinity for riparian zones, frequently occurring along the banks of rivers where moisture levels are more consistent. Notably, Artemisia cinerea exhibits significant salt tolerance, allowing it to successfully occupy saline places that may be inhospitable to many other plant species, making it an adaptable component of both freshwater-adjacent and salt-affected ecosystems.

Habitat :

plains, rivers, saline places

Life history

The life history of Artemisia cina is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it undergoes a cyclical development that involves establishing a robust root system capable of storing nutrients to survive dormant periods. Its lifecycle allows the plant to re-emerge and continue its vegetative growth annually, rather than completing its entire reproductive cycle in a single season like annuals. Through this sustained existence, the plant can invest significant energy into long-term survival and repeated reproductive efforts, contributing to its stability within its natural ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Artemisia cina is characterized as a non-woody herb with a growth form classified as both a herb and a forb. The plant is self-supporting rather than a climber, maintaining a compact stature with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 0.4 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Artemisia cinerea is characterized by a specific phenological window during its flowering stage. The plant enters its reproductive phase with the flowering start occurring in August, a period that remains consistent for its development. This flowering cycle concludes within the same month, with the flowering end also taking place in August. Consequently, the reproductive activity of this species is concentrated within this specific late-summer timeframe.

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Artemisia cina has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. ACS omega

Chemicals

Artemisia cina has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, Artemisin, CARVACROL, DL-ALPHA-PINENE, EO.

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

Artemisin

1. Dr. Duke

CARVACROL

1. Dr. Duke

DL-ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

L-alpha-Santonin

1. Dr. Duke

L-alpha-TERPINEOL

1. Dr. Duke

LECITHIN

1. Dr. Duke

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Artemisia cina has 209 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Acaricide.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke