There are 21 species (and half as many subspecies) of Artemisia in California. Although A. douglasiana can become woody at the base, it remains herbaceous throughout the rest of the plant. This is in contrast to most other sagebrushes which have woody stems. Mugwort usually has lobed leaves which distinguish it from the other common herbaceous sagebrush, A dracunculus or wild tarragon. Mugwort also grows in dense clusters because it spreads with rhizomes which distinguishes it from other species. It also has green to gray-green leaf surfaces, whereas A.suksdorfii has a dark green upper leaf surface. If you are in subalpine to alpine areas, be on the lookout for the similar-looking A. michauxiana, which can be distinguished based on its strong lemon scent.

Mugwort has long been used for aromatherapy by Chumash Indians (and others) to induce dreaming. Typically, the leaves and stems are collected, dried, and then either burned as incense or sewed into small pillows that are then placed under the normal pillow. Mugwort also contains a compound called dehydroleucodine, which appears to prevent formation of lesions in the gastric system. As with many species in the genus Artemisia, Mugwort contains many pleasant-smelling compounds including camphor, linalool, and cineole, as well as some hallucinogenic compounds such as absinthin and thujone (two of the ingredients in absinthe). Mugwort can reproduce sexually (via flowers) as well as asexually (via underground stems called rhizomes that branch from the parent plant). So if you see new shoots coming up in the winter/spring, look for the parent plant nearby.