Translate this page:
Summary
Family: Sunflower family (Asteraceae). The Artemisia genus includes about 60 U.S. species ranging from fragrant herbs to woody shrubs. All species contain compounds (notably thujone and sesquiterpene lactones) that can make them bitter, toxic, or medicinal. Some species have historically provided edible seeds, while a few have culinary uses as seasonings. Many also served as medicines, preservatives, insect repellents, or ceremonial plants for Native peoples. Biennial wormwood is an aromatic, weedy sagewort valued historically for its edible seeds, which sustained the Goshiute of the Great Basin. While nutritionally useful, its food role is minor today due to safety concerns. The plant is hardy, adaptable, and invasive in disturbed areas, but culturally important.
Physical Characteristics
Artemisia biennis is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Heterotypic Synonyms: A. australis Ehrh. ex DC. A. biennis var. diffusa Dorn. A. inconspicua Spreng. A. jacquinii Raeusch. A. pinnatifida Jacquem. ex DC.
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:
Seeds edible in moderation. Historically gathered extensively by the Goshiute (“piawada”) and eaten as porridge or flour. Nutritionally oily and sustaining. Other parts are inedible due to bitterness and toxic sesquiterpene lactones. Seed[161, 177, 257]. No further details are given, but the seed is very small and fiddly to utilize[K].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Parasiticide Poultice Skin
The plant as been used in the treatment of stomach cramps, colic and painful menstruation[257]. Externally, it has been used for treating sores and wounds[257]. The report does not specify which part of the plant is used. The seeds, mixed with molasses, have been used as a parasiticide in getting rid of worms[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books
Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.
Edible Tropical Plants
Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
Edible Temperate Plants
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
More Books
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.
Shop Now
Other Uses
Parasiticide
Possible Parasiticide. Used in medicine and veterinary medicine to kill parasites. Occasionally used medicinally (as vermifuge and for digestive complaints). Has aromatic oils, but not significant in food preservation like other Artemisia.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Biennial or short-lived perennial; erect aromatic herb with finely divided leaves. Produces abundant small seeds. Important historically as a late-season survival food. Tolerates poor, sandy, or gravelly soils. Thrives in full sun, disturbed ground, and tolerates drought once established. Grows best with summer moisture.. We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range, it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position. Established plants are drought-tolerant. Plants are longer lived, harder, and more aromatic when they are grown in poor, dry soil[245]. Members of this genus are rarely, if ever, troubled by browsing deer[233]. Size: 0.5–1.5 m tall, erect and slender [2-3]. Likely USDA zones 3–8, hardy to cold winters where seeds overwinter. Native to the northwestern U.S., now weedy across disturbed soils, fields, roadsides, and waste places. Blooms and seeds in late summer to autumn.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).
Shop Now
Plant Propagation
Seed - surface sow spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ during late spring. Self-seeds freely. Germinates readily in disturbed ground.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Biennial wormwood, biennial sagewort; false tansy; slender mugwort, French: armoise bisannuelle; herbe St-Jean. Germany: Zweijähriger Beifuß. Netherlands: rechte alsem; tweejarige alsem.
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia), United States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah)
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.
This plant can be weedy or invasive and is considered a weed in many regions. Spreads aggressively by seed in disturbed soils.Invasive in some agricultural areas particularly soybeans, other types of dry edible beans, and sunflowers in North America including Nebraska and Wyoming. Potential for emerging problems in Europe in the future.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Artemisia abrotanum | Southernwood | Shrub | 1.2 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Artemisia absinthium | Wormwood, Absinthium. | Perennial | 1.0 |
4-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Artemisia annua | Qing Hao, Sweet sagewort | Annual | 3.0 |
6-9
| F | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Artemisia anomala | | Perennial | 1.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | |
| Artemisia arborescens | Tree Wormwood | Shrub | 1.0 |
8-10
| F | LM | N | DM | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Artemisia argyi | | Perennial | 1.5 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | |
| Artemisia californica | California Sagebrush | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-10
| F | LM | N | DM | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Artemisia campestris | Field Southernwood | Perennial | 1.5 |
3-8
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Artemisia campestris glutinosa | | Perennial | 1.5 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Artemisia capillaris | Yin Chen Hao | Shrub | 0.5 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | |
| Artemisia carruthii | Carruth Wormwood | Perennial | 0.4 |
4-9
| M | LM | N | DM | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Artemisia caruifolia | | Annual | 1.0 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Artemisia cina | Cina, Santonica | Shrub | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LM | S | DM | 0 | 3 | |
| Artemisia dracunculoides | Russian Tarragon, Tarragon, French Tarragon | Perennial | 1.0 |
5-8
| M | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Artemisia dracunculus | Tarragon, French Tarragon | Perennial | 0.6 |
5-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Artemisia filifolia | Sand Sage, Sand sagebrush | Shrub | 1.2 |
3-7
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Artemisia frigida | Fringed Wormwood, Prairie sagewort | Perennial | 0.3 |
3-8
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Artemisia glacialis | Glacier Wormwood | Perennial | 0.2 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 2 | |
| Artemisia gmelinii | Russian Wormwood, Gmelin's wormwood | Perennial | 1.5 |
3-7
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Artemisia herba-alba | White Wormwood | Shrub | 0.3 |
7-10
| F | LM | N | DM | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Artemisia indica | | Annual/Perennial | 1.2 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Artemisia japonica | | Perennial | 1.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Artemisia keiskeana | | Perennial | 0.6 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Artemisia laciniata | Siberian wormwood | Perennial | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Artemisia lactiflora | White Mugwort | Perennial | 1.5 |
4-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | |
| Artemisia lancea | | Perennial | 1.2 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 1 | |
| Artemisia ludoviciana | White Sage, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Sage, Western Mugwort | Perennial | 1.0 |
3-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Artemisia ludoviciana gnaphalodes | White Sage | Perennial | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Artemisia maritima | Sea Wormwood | Shrub | 0.6 |
6-9
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 2 | 1 |
|
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Now available:
Food Forest Plants for Mediterranean Conditions
350+ Perennial Plants For Mediterranean and Drier Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.
[Paperback and eBook]
This is the third in Plants For A Future's series of plant guides for food forests tailored to
specific climate zones. Following volumes on temperate and tropical ecosystems, this book focuses
on species suited to Mediterranean conditions—regions with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters,
often facing the added challenge of climate change.
Read More
Expert comment
Author
Willd.
Botanical References
43235
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.