SafePlants

Artemisia herba-alba (White Wormwood)

Artemisia herba-alba, commonly known as white wormwood, is a perennial shrub belonging to the genus Artemisia.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Artemisia herba-alba
• Common Names: White wormwood, desert wormwood, Armoise blanche (French), la’anah (Old Testament Hebrew)
• Family: Asteraceae (formerly Compositae)
• Note: The text also mentions other Artemisia species, such as Artemisia annua (Sweet Annie or White Wormwood), Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood, Silver Sage, White/Wild/Prairie Sage, Wormwood, White/Western Mugwort), Artemisia ludoviciana (silver wormwood, white sage, prairie sage, western albula), and Artemisia maritime (co-occurring with white wormwood).
• Synonyms/Alternative Scientific Names: Artemisia herba-alba Asso.

Considerations for Pets

• The leaves are described as white with fine hairs, which could be a potential irritant if ingested or come into contact with sensitive skin.

Considerations for Children

• The leaves are described as white with fine hairs, which could be a potential irritant if ingested or come into contact with sensitive skin.

Distribution and Habitat

• White wormwood is commonly found in the dry steppes of the Mediterranean regions.
• It is also found in salty clay soils, sometimes growing among thickets of boyalych saltbush (Salsola laricifolia).
• The text also makes reference to North Africa and the Middle East as growing locations.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• White wormwood is a perennial shrub.
• It is also described as a dwarf shrub.
• Wormwood grows alongside roads or paths and reaches 1-3 ft (0.3-0.9 m) tall.
• It has gray-green or white stems covered with fine hairs.

Ecological Role

• Water extracts of white wormwood have shown potential allelopathic effects on the germination of other plants, including sage. This means it can release substances that inhibit the growth of nearby vegetation.

Quirky Facts

• In some cultures, like the Cheyenne, white sagewort (presumably a similar or related species) was used for protection against ghosts, bad dreams, and evil.
• The aroma is described as "warm, bitter sweet, anise fruity with a super charged infusion of Sage lavandulifolia, White Thyme and Rosemary."

Traditional Uses

• Native American tribes, such as the Cheyenne, Navajo, and Blackfoot Indians, used native wormwood species for various purposes.

Further Information

• Dave's Garden is mentioned as a resource for gardening tips and ideas.
• The Encyclopedia of Life includes articles about Artemisia herba-alba.
• WebMD provides patient medical information on wormwood.