artemisiifolia

Artemisiifolia is a Latin species epithet used in the scientific names of several plants to indicate that their leaves resemble those of Artemisia, the wormwoods and sages. The term itself is not a taxonomic unit but a descriptor applied within binomials or other ranks in botanical nomenclature.

The epithet appears in various genera; one well-known example is Ambrosia artemisiifolia, commonly called common ragweed. The name suggests feathery, deeply divided leaves reminiscent of Artemisia species.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia is an annual or short-lived herb that can reach up to 1–2 meters in height. It has finely divided, pinnate leaves and produces inconspicuous flowers in dense inflorescences. It is wind-pollinated and produces substantial quantities of pollen, a major cause of hay fever in many regions.

Originally native to North America, common ragweed is now established as an invasive weed in many parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia, where it can form dense stands and outcompete native vegetation. Management typically involves mowing, herbicides, and practices aimed at preventing seed production.

As a botanical epithet, artemisiifolia signals leaf form rather than a single taxon, and it is encountered across multiple genera to reflect a similarity to Artemisia leaves. See also Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Artemisia, and plant taxonomy.