Artemisia tilesii, commonly known as Tilesius’ wormwood, Aleutian mugwort, or stinkweed, is a perennial herb native to alpine and subalpine zones, tundra, and open, rocky areas in Russia, Japan, and northern North America, including Alaska, east as far as Nunavut, and south to Nevada. It typically grows from a tough rhizome, producing one to three stems that can reach up to 31 inches tall and may be white with woolly hairs. The leaves are often bicolored with white and green due to hair distribution, and the inflorescence can be compact or open and branching, with small, yellow flowers in bell-shaped heads that bloom in the late summer. The plant is highly aromatic, sometimes overpowering the smell of fish, which can be a consideration for planting locations.

Tilesius’ wormwood is valued for its hardiness and adaptability to harsh conditions, making it suitable for revegetation and erosion control in challenging environments, as exemplified by the cultivar ’Caiggluk’ used in Alaska. Its aromatic properties and traditional medicinal uses by Alaska Native peoples, including treatments for fever, infection, tumors, arthritis, and tuberculosis, highlight its cultural significance. In cultivation, it requires well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade. While it is not commonly used in ornamental gardening, its resilience and utility in land restoration projects are notable. Care should be taken as it can be invasive in some areas outside its native range, and its strong aroma may not be appreciated by all gardeners.CC BY-SA 4.0