African wormwood
Artemisia afra

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A shrub. It is erect. It grows 75-250 cm high. It has some hairs but under the leaves are thickly white and hairy. The leaves are alternate and feathery. They are divided 2 or 3 times. The last segments are narrow. The edges curve backwards. There are many flower heads. The flowers are tube shaped. They are yellow.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Swaziland it is rare. In Malawi it grows on the edges of forests and in rocky places at 2,000-2,450 m altitude. It can grow from 20-4,050 m above sea level. It grows in hot arid areas. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves have been used to flavour beer. They are used as a tea substitute.

Edible parts

Leaves, flavouring, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Entilili, Fifi, Lengana, Lingana, Umhlonyane

Synonyms

Artemisia afra Willd. var. friesiorum Chiov.;