BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Artemisia dracunculus | Tarragon 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Tarragon is a native, variously fragrant to inodorous, usually
glabrescent, shortly rhizomatous, warm-season, perennial forb, typically
ranging in height from 19.5 to 58.5 inches (50-150 cm) [2,9,23].  Stems
are often reddish and originate in clusters or sometimes singly from a
distinct, nearly woody rhizome [8].  Leaves are usually at least
partially deciduous by fall.  The infloresence is an open panicle.
Outer flowers are pistillate and fertile; disk flowers are sterile with
an abortive ovary.


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Geophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Tarragon regenerates both sexually and vegetatively.  Numerous,
wind-dispersed achenes are produced in the fall.  Perennating buds are
located on a stout, somewhat woody rhizome.  The degree to which new
plants are established through rhizome intiation is unclear.  This
species does not appear to spread rapidly through creeping rhizomes.
Rhizome initiation in a morophologically similar herbaceous sagebrush,
Louisiana sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana), is extensive; however, this
characteristic is highly variable among ecotypes [10,20].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Tarragon is a somewhat weedy species which is not exacting in its site
requirements.  Typical habitats include dry, open sites from the low
plains to moderate elevations in the mountains [2].  Plants invade
disturbed sites throughout a variety of nonforested and forested
communities and are often found growing along roadways and similar
anthropogenic sites.  Dix [5] reports tarragon growing on disturbed
sandy soils in western North Dakota.  Generally plants occur in
scattered amounts and rarely dominate extensive areas.

Elevational ranges for several western states is follows [4]:

	     5,000 to 10,300 feet (1,524-3,140 m) in CO
	     3,000 to 6,900 feet (915-2,104 m) in MT
	     4,900 to 11,000 feet (1,494-3,354 m) in UT
	     3,700 to 8,400 feet (1,128-2,561 m) in WY


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Tarragon is a pioneer species.  It invades disturbed sites in a wide
variety of nonforested and forested communities.  Although densities are
typically low on most sites, frequencies appear to increase where
disturbance results in decreased species competition [5].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Tarragon flowers from July through October throughout its range [2,4].  

Related categories for Species: Artemisia dracunculus | Tarragon