[2] Artemisia pygmaea is a small, cushion-like shrub growing up to about 20 centimeters (8 inches) in height.

[2] The small leaves are under a centimeter long and wide and are toothed or divided into several deep lobes.

It is dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on separate individual plants.

[5] Artemisia pygmaea is native to regions of the Southwestern United States, encompassing parts of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.

[3][2] Artemisia pygmaea grows in very dry habitat types.