SafePlants

Artemisia: A Diverse Genus

The genus Artemisia encompasses a variety of plants, including wormwood and sagebrush, with a range of characteristics and uses.

Considerations for Pets

• Some Artemisia species are shrubs.
• The text mentions Artemisia species being used in dyes.
• Wormwood sap is mentioned as an item within Dragon's Dogma.

Considerations for Children

• Some Artemisia species are shrubs.
• The text mentions Artemisia species being used in dyes.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Genus: Artemisia L.
• Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
• Species Examples:
  • Artemisia arborescens (Tree Wormwood, Sheeba)
  • Artemisia globularia Cham. ex Besser (Purple Wormwood)
  • Artemisia borealis (Boreal Wormwood, Boreal Sagewort, Boreal Sage)
  • Artemisia annua L. (Annual Wormwood, Sweet Sagewort, Sweet Annie)
  • Artemisia aleutica Hultn (Aleutian Wormwood)
• Synonyms: The text references several alternative names based on species.

Description and Growth Habits

• Artemisia can be shrubs, perennials, or annuals, either evergreen or deciduous.
• Foliage is typically grey, aromatic, and often divided.
• Flowers are usually relatively inconspicuous.
• Some varieties of wormwood grow to be 4 or 5 feet tall.

Distribution and Habitat

• Artemisia arborescens is indigenous to the Middle East.
• Artemisia globularia (Purple Wormwood) is native to Alaska, Yukon Territory, and other parts of Asia and North America.
• Wormwood shrubs grow wild in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia and are cultivated in North America.
• Sea wormwood grows almost exclusively on slightly elevated, sandy borders.

Cultivation

• Generally, Artemisia should be grown in well-drained, fertile soil in full sun.
• It should be planted in a well-drained site.

Uses and Interactions

• Artemisia arborescens is used in tea.
• Sweet wormwood contains artemisinin and its aerial parts are used in making anti-malarials.
• Wormwood is used to flavor vermouth.
• Wormwood and purple cabbage can be used to create chlorophyll and anthocyanin dyes, respectively.

Quirky Facts

• Wormwood contains thujone, a chemical similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in marijuana.
• One source references "G P Taylor’s ‘Wormwood’ - G P Taylor is a master of purple prose..."

Further Information

• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides information on Artemisia 'Powis Castle'.
• Discover Life has a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Artemisia globularia.
• ResearchGate hosts research on dyes extracted from wormwood and purple cabbage.