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Alps wormwood
Scientific Name: Artemisia umbelliformis
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Alps Wormwood (Artemisia umbelliformis)
Alps Wormwood, scientifically known as Artemisia umbelliformis, is a perennial subshrub appreciated for its aromatic properties and traditional uses.
Common Names
- Alps Wormwood
- Alpine Wormwood
- Genpi (French)
- Assenzio genep bianco (Italian)
- Echte Edelraute (German)
Considerations for Pets
- As a wormwood, this plant has a bitter taste that may deter pets from consuming it.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Artemisia umbelliformis Lam.
- Family: Asteraceae
- Synonym: Artemisia laxa (Lam.) Fritsch
- Symbol: ARUM
Distribution and Habitat
- Endemic to the Alps and Pyrenees.
- Also found in the Apennines and other mountainous regions in western Europe.
- Specifically noted in France as being restricted to the Pyrenees and the Alps.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Perennial subshrub forb/herb.
- White coloring in summer.
Traditional Uses
- Historically used in the tradition of blending wormwood with other alpine herbs.
- Used to produce Genepi liquor, prepared by distillation or infusion of the aromatic flower heads.
Quirky Facts
- The essential oil from Alpine Wormwood plants in the Italian Alps is used in some products.
- Genepi liquor is created by steeping the aromatic wormwood flower heads in a strong clear alcohol such as vodka.
Related Species
- Annual Wormwood (Artemisia annua)
- Beach Wormwood (Artemisia pycnocephala)
- Biennial Wormwood
- Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)
- Chinese Mugwort (Artemisia verlotiorum)
Further Information
- INPN (French natural heritage inventory)
- USDA Plants Database (plants.usda.gov, symbol ARUM)
- Getty Images (for photos)