Sea Wormwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• sea wormwood
• wormseed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Seriphidium maritimum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Artemisia and the specific species name maritima.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various coastal regions of Northern Europe. Its presence is specifically documented throughout the landscapes of Denmark and Great Britain. Furthermore, it can be found growing along the shores of Ireland. The species also extends its reach into the northern territories of Norway. Finally, its geographical range includes the coastal areas of Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Artemisia maritima is defined by its specialized adaptation to highly saline and unstable environments, primarily colonizing the shores of coastal regions. As a halophytic species, it thrives in the harsh interface between land and sea, where it occupies salt marshes, sandy beaches, and rocky littoral zones. Its distribution is dictated by its ability to withstand high salt concentrations in the substrate and periodic exposure to salt spray, which limits competition from less tolerant plant species. By establishing itself along these shores, the plant plays a role in stabilizing coastal sediments and contributing to the unique nutrient cycling characteristic of maritime ecosystems.

Habitat :

shores

Life history

The life history of Artemisia maritima is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons within its specialized habitats. As a chamaephyte, its regenerative buds are located close to or just above the soil surface, a life form that provides resilience against environmental stressors. Furthermore, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, maintaining its foliage to facilitate continuous physiological processes throughout its lifespan.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Artemisia maritima is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb and a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, functioning as a liana or vine, and it is classified as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is terrestrial in nature, lacking aquatic or epiphytic habits. In terms of stature, it maintains a relatively low profile with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, with an average height of approximately 0.35 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.35 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Artemisia maritima is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on autotrophic mechanisms for nutrient acquisition rather than capturing prey. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of approximately 5.54875 cm², contributing to its overall structural composition. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 152.4 cm²/g, a metric that reflects the relationship between its leaf surface area and dry mass, providing insight into its resource allocation and adaptation to its specific environmental niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

5.54875 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

152.4 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Artemisia maritima is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period begins in August and extends through October. During this stage, the plant utilizes biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects for the transfer of pollen. The resulting fruit is a dry achene that is indehiscent in nature. The seeds produced are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000703333333333333 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.0005 g to a maximum of 0.00086 g) and a consistent seed volume of 0.44 mm³. Following the reproductive cycle, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing the wind to distribute its seeds. Self-fertilization is also present within the plant's reproductive capabilities.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00086 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000703333333333333 g

Seed mass min:

5e-04 g

Seed volume max:

0.44 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Artemisia maritima has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antimicrobial, Artemisin, CA, Catechin hydrate, Davanone.

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Artemisin

1. Dr. Duke

CA

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Catechin hydrate

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Davanone

1. Dr. Duke

Epigallocatechin gallate

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

FE

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Flavonoids

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

HYDROXYDAVANONE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Artemisia maritima has 13 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antidiabetic, Antifertility.

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Analgesic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidiabetic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antifertility

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antipyretic

1. Dr. Duke

Ascaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Calcium-Antagonist

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Medicinal Uses

Artemisia maritima has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antidiabetic, antioxidant.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations