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Artemisia dracunculoides - Pursh.

Common Name Russian Tarragon, Tarragon, French Tarragon
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 5-8
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].
Habitats Prairies, plains and dry slopes[43].
Range N. America. N. Europe. N. Asia - Siberia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Artemisia dracunculoides Russian Tarragon, Tarragon,  French Tarragon


Brother Alfred Brousseau @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Artemisia dracunculoides Russian Tarragon, Tarragon,  French Tarragon
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 3: 524.

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Artemisia dracunculoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained 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

A. dracunculus dracunculoides.

Habitats

 Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[46, 61, 105, 161]. The N. American Indians would bake the leaves between hot stones and then eat them with salt water[183, 216]. The leaves can also be eaten raw in salads but are inferior to A. dracunculus (Tarragon)[183]. The flavour is said to improve as the plant matures[200, 268]. Seed - raw or cooked. An oily texture[46, 61, 161, 183]. The seed is very small and fiddly to use[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.
Antiscorbutic  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Hypnotic  Stomachic

The herb is antiscorbutic, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypnotic and stomachic[21, 46, 179]. The fresh herb is eaten to promote the appetite[268].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Repellent

Both the growing and the dried plant repels insects[99].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container, Seashore. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1, 200]. Established plants are drought tolerant[200]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[245]. Nomenclature is somewhat confused for this species. It is considered by some botanists to be a hardier form of A. dracunculus but with an inferior flavour[4, 200], whilst some consider it to be part of A. glauca[43]. It is very similar to A. dracunculus, but is more vigorous and hardier, Its leaves have a pungent and less pleasant flavour than that species[238]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features: Edible, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions f required. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when 10 - 15cm long, pot them up in a greenhouse and plant out when well rooted. Very easy.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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.

 

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Botanical References

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