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This study aimed to determine the fermentation characteristics, nutrient composition and invitro digestibility of desert wormwood (DW, Artemisia desertorum Spreng.) silage as the sole ingredient, or mixed with high-moisture maize (corn) straw (HMCS). Desert wormwood and HMCS were harvested and chopped (1-2cm) then ensiled in laboratory silos (25cm high with an internal diameter of 76cm) at a density of 550gL(-1) at room temperature for 60days. The proportions of DW in the DW/HMCS mixtures were 1, 075, 0 center dot 50, 0 center dot 25 and 0, based on fresh weight. The silages were analysed for fermentation characteristics, nutrient composition and invitro digestibility. Desert wormwood ensiled with HMCS had lower pH and acetic acid concentration and higher lactic acid concentration as the proportion of DW decreased. As the proportion of DW decreased, the crude protein concentration and the invitro digestibility of dry matter increased and the concentrations of neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin decreased. This study has indicated that mixing HMCS with DW can improve the fermentation quality and nutrient composition of these silage mixtures.