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Artemisia abrotanum - L.

Common Name Southernwood
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people[222]. Safety during pregnancy is not known.
Habitats Not known in a truly wild situation.
Range S. Europe? The original habitat is obscure.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Artemisia abrotanum Southernwood


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Artemisia abrotanum Southernwood
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Artemisia abrotanum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from March to November, in flower from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, 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

Artemisia altissima Ehrh. ex DC. International Compositae Alliance ILDIS IOPI New Yo

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

The young shoots have a bitter, lemony flavour and are used in small quantities as a flavouring in cakes, salads and vinegars[1, 4, 7, 183, 244]. A tea is made from the young bitter shoots[183].

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.
Anthelmintic  Antiseptic  Cholagogue  Deobstruent  Emmenagogue  Stomachic  Tonic

Southernwood has a long history of domestic herbal use, though it is now used infrequently in herbal medicine[254]. It is a strongly aromatic bitter herb that improves digestion and liver function by increasing secretions in the stomach and intestines, it stimulates the uterus and encourages menstrual flow, lowers fevers, relaxes spasms and destroys intestinal worms[238, 254]. The herb, and especially the young flowering shoots, is anthelmintic, antiseptic, cholagogue, deobstruent, emmenagogue, stomachic and tonic[4, 7, 165]. The main use of this herb is as an emmenagogue, though it is also a good stimulant tonic and has some nervine principle[4]. It is sometimes given to young children in order to expel parasitic worms and externally it is applied to small wounds in order to stop them bleeding and help them to heal[7]. The herb is also used externally in aromatic bathes and as a poultice to treat skin conditions[268]. Southernwood should be used internally with caution, see the notes above on toxicity. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, since it can encourage menstrual flow[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Essential  Hair  Hedge  Hedge  Incense  Pot-pourri  Repellent

Insect repellent. The growing plant repels fruit tree moths when growing in an orchard[6, 14, 18, 20]. The fresh plant can also be rubbed onto the skin to deter insects[7]. The shoots can be dried for indoor use, they remain effective for 6 - 12 months[169]. They are also said to repel ants[201]. Shoots can be burnt in the fireplace to remove cooking odours from the house[201]. The leaves have a refreshing lemon-like fragrance and are used in pot-pourri[245]. An essential oil from the leaves and flowering shoots is used in perfumery in order to add certain subtle tones[7]. A yellow dye is obtained from the branches[14, 268]. Plants can be grown as a low hedge, they tolerate quite hard clipping[200, 201]. An infusion of the plant is used as a hair tonic or conditioner[201].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a well-drained one that is not too rich[1, 11]. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1, 200]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[245]. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.3 to 7.6. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[233]. Southernwood is often grown in the herb garden, the leaves are very aromatic[182]. It is best to cut the plant back fairly hard every spring in order to keep it compact and encourage plenty of new growth[233, 268]. The plant rarely produces flowers in British gardens[11]. A good companion plant for cabbages[14, 18, 20]. It is also a good plant to grow in the orchard, where it can help to reduce insect pests[201]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 15°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. Once the seedlings are more than 15cm tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or summer. Cuttings of young wood 8cm long, May in a frame[169]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia EUROPE: Russian Federation-European part (European part (south)), Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia

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.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1150200

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Readers comment

DR.T.MOHANKUMAR   Sat Nov 15 2008

well,excellant

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