Newtown Conservation Commission Chair Holly Kocet was joined by Protect Our Pollinators (POP) member Christine St Georges and her sister, Laura Mitchell, for a walk-through of High Meadow at the Fairfield Hills Campus (FFH) on November 18.

The group was looking for an invasive species of plant called mugwort that has been threatening to infiltrate the meadow. Mugwort is also known as Artemisia Vulgaris and is a weed that comes back yearly.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), mugwort is considered an “aggressive, running perennial that forms solid stands up to five feet tall.”

They are commonly seen along roadsides and can be identified from their leaves, which have pointed, irregularly divided lobes like the shape of a chrysanthemum leaf. The tops of the leaves are green while the underside is woolly and pale/light.

“In the late summer, stands of mugwort take on a feathery appearance when many groups of tiny, inconspicuous flowers are borne on the numerous small branches that form at the tops of the plants,” the USDA details.

Kocet and her team of helpers have been working to stop the spread of mugwort by cutting seed heads at the meadow trail crossing.

In an e-mail to The Newtown Bee, Kocet explained, “The idea was to collect/dispose of seed heads to prevent further spread into the meadow. I plan to work with [Newtown Parks Assistant Director] Carl Samuelson to have him repeatedly cut that spot next year to prevent the mugwort from going to seed. Pulling in past years was labor intensive and proved ineffective.”

It is crucial that the mugwort problem gets under control as soon as possible because when local botanist, Bryan Connolly PhD, was brought out to review the meadow, he expressed concern over seeing mugwort.

An excerpt from Connolly’s High Meadow 2021 Vegetation Survey Report, dated November 7, 2021, states, “In summary, the meadow is becoming more [biologically] diverse, and several plant species of high pollinator value are now present. But at the same time, invasive plants are on the rise as well as woody plants. Management will be needed in the high meadow area of the Fairfield Hills campus…

“Especially troubling is the appearance of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) in the meadow; the current population of this species is small and should be removed immediately. Mowing once every three years in the early to mid-growing season coupled with selective invasive removal may allow high pollinator value species to further expand at the study site.”

Not only is mugwort a problem at FFH, but Kocet also says it has infested many of the town fields and roadsides.

Some other aspects of mugwort are that since the seeds are wind-pollinated, they are no benefit to pollinators or any animal species. The wind-blown pollen also contributes to hay fever allergies.

Kocet noted that the seeds are “also easily carried in mud and soils on tires, hooves, shoes, and in streams.”

Mugwort can tolerate a variety of soils and conditions, including dry and infertile soils. It can even quickly populate any disturbed soil – for example new development/construction sites – and forms large, fast-spreading patches.

“Dense mugwort stands prevent colonization by more favorable plant species,” Kocet said. “Spread creates monocultures that shade and crowd out other plants.”

She continued, “Mugwort infestations reduce floral diversity required for healthy ecosystems. Mugwort threatens to eliminate beneficial plant species, like goldenrod, asters, and native grasses in meadows, fields, and roadsides, which are critical in supporting pollinators, beneficial insects, and other wildlife species.”

Currently, the High Meadow at FFH has 11 acres that are threatened by the mugwort colonization.

“Control will be critical to preserving the quality of this open space,” Kocet said.

For those interested in helping with local environmental projects, such as the removal of mugwort, contact the Newtown Conservation Commission by visiting newtownconservation.org.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.