Sweet wormwood, Sweet Annie
Artemisia annua
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A large annual herb. The stems are upright and often red. It can grow 1.6 m tall. The leaves are finely divided with leaflets along the stalk and teeth along the edge. The flowers are small and yellow and are in loose clusters.
It is useful for treating malaria.
Where it is found
A temperate plant. It can grow in semi-desert and salty soils. In China it grows between 2,000-3,700 m above sea level. It grows in Sichuan and Yunnan. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Canada, Central Africa, Central Asia, China, Congo DR, Europe, India, Indochina, Iran, Korea, Laos, Middle East, Mongolia, Myanmar, North America, Pakistan, SE Asia, Siberia, South America, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, USA
How it is used for food
It is used as a medium for growing Aspergillus used in brewing wine. It is also used to flavour honey wine. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. Caution: The leaves should not be given to pregnant women during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Edible parts
Leaves - flavouring, bud
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from small cuttings. Remove the leaves.
It is fast growing.
Its other names
Local names
Huanghao, Qing Hao