This is a widespread rhizomatous weed in humid temperate regions of North America. It is the most aggressive Artemisia in moist, fertile cultivated soils, forming dense leafy patches; 2n = 16 (versus 18 in most other species). The earliest records from Ky. appear to be colls. of B in the 1930s (M). Although a persistent problem in gardens, it does not seem to spread much in the wild. Colls. from GRAN, KENT and perhaps elsewhere are referable to var. glabra Ledeb., but that taxon has not generally been recognized in current treatments. A. vulgaris has ancient medicinal uses, repelling parasitic worms and moth larvae, and flavoring beer before the prevalence of hops; active ingredients include varied sesquiterpenoids ("vulgarin" in North America) and flavonoids (Stefanovic et al. 1982, Lee et al. 1998, Linley 2001). However, its pollen can be allergenic for humans (Wopfner et al. 2005)