Biennial Wormwood
Artemisia biennis
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Other names: Biennial wormwood, biennial sagewort; false tansy; slender mugwort, French: armoise bisannuelle; herbe St-Jean. Germany: Zweijähriger Beifuß. Netherlands: rechte alsem; tweejarige alsem.
Artemisia biennis is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). 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: 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.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Open ground, clearings, burns, roadsides and waste places.
N. America - Quebec to British Columbia and south to New England, Indiana etc.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Seed. No further details are given, but the seed is very small and fiddly to utilize.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant as been used in the treatment of stomach cramps, colic and painful menstruation. Externally, it has been used for treating sores and wounds. 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.
Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Other
Rating: 1
Possible Parasiticide. Used in medicine and veterinary medicine to kill parasites
Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.
How it is grown
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, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagating it: 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.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual/Biennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
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.
This plant can be weedy or invasive. 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.