Vegetation Management and Maintenance Plan - Watsonville ...

MUGWORT
Artemisia douglasiana
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES This perennial herb is distinguishable
by its soft, lobed gray leaves. The leaves are aromatic and the undersides
are whitish, with soft hairs. A member of the sunflower family,
mugwort produces clusters of small, whitish flowers, which forms
brown seed heads in late summer. Plants grow 3 to 5 feet tall.
BLOOMS Whitish, June - October.
PREFERRED HABITAT Mugwort is common in many communities,
including coast scrub and riparian woodlands. Within the
VMMM project area, mugwort is often found intermixing with coyote
brush and berry thickets.
COYOTE BRUSH
Baccharis pilularis
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES This evergreen shrub is common
within the VMMM project area. The small leaves are wedge-shaped
with small toothed edges and three noticeable veins. The species has
both male and female plants; the female plant produces white tufts of
seeds in spring and summer, which release in the wind.
BLOOMS White, August - December .
PREFERRED HABITAT Coyote brush can tolerates many soil conditions,
yet does best on dry, well-drained soils. The shrub forms
dense patches which can successfully compete with herbaceous weed
species. Coyote brush seeds are used many riparian and upland bird
species.