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southernwood
Scientific Name: Artemisia abrotanum
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum)
Southernwood, scientifically known as Artemisia abrotanum, is a captivating plant with a rich history and numerous common names. Let's explore its characteristics, origins, and uses.
Common Names
- Southernwood
- Lad's Love
- Southern Wormwood
- Boy's Love
- Old Man
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Artemisia abrotanum
- Family: Compositae (Asteraceae - Sunflower family)
- Genus: Artemisia
- Synonyms: Lad's Love, Southern Wormwood, Old Man
Distribution and Habitat
Native to Eurasia and Africa, Southernwood is particularly associated with the South of Europe, specifically Spain and Italy, where it is found indigenously.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Southernwood is described as a soft, feathery, and dainty shrub-like plant.
- It's a perennial that can grow to a height of approximately three feet (one meter).
- The foliage is often grey, aromatic, and divided.
- The plant produces rather insignificant flower-heads.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions that the volatile essential oil contained in the plant consists chiefly of Absinthol.
Considerations for Children
- The plant has a strong scent.
- The foliage is often divided.
Cultivation
- Southernwood thrives in well-drained soil under full sun or light shade.
- It can be propagated by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.
Traditional Uses
- Southernwood was widely used as a medicinal herb during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
- Historically, it has been used as a moth deterrent. It was placed among clothes to repel moths.