Stinkweed
Also called wild sage
- Iñupiaq name: Sargiġruaq or Sargiq or Salgiġruaq
- Family: Asteraceae
- Scientific name: Artemisia tilesii
- Distinguishing characteristics: Green leaves are deeply lobed into narrow “teeth” and hairy on their undersides. Flowers are yellowish brown.
- Similar species: Stinkweed has no known lookalikes on the North Slope.
- Habitat: Dry tundra or sandy, rocky areas. Prefers well drained soils.
- Best time to harvest: Harvested in the fall when the plant turns brown.
- Uses: Dried leaves can be boiled into a tea to help manage cold and flu symptoms. Leaves were historically ground into a paste to relieve arthritis pains.
Photo by Wayne Weber
Photo by Alfred Cook, Alaska Wildflowers
Photo via Alaska Wildflowers