Wormwood, Absinth
Artemisia absinthium

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A perennial herb. It grows 60-90 cm high and 50-60 cm wide. It has a woody base. The leaves are finely divided and silvery. It spread by rhizomes or underground stems. The stems above ground can also form roots. The flowers are in flower heads which occur in sprays. They are dull yellow.

It is used in medicine. There are about 300 Artemisia species. The thujone in absinthe is addictive.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on hillsides, steppe, scrub, forest margins between 1100-1500 m altitude in China. It is frost hardy. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 4-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Crete, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Sahara, Serbia, Siberia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, SW Asia, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, Xinjiang, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The plant is poisonous. Absinthe oil and alcohol can cause death. The leaves have been used to flavour sauces. The leaves are cooked. The flowers are also used for herbal teas. The above ground parts are used for spirits. The flowering tops are used to make geese and duck dishes less greasy.

It is sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Herb, spice, leaves, flowers, tea, stems

How it is grown

It can be grown by seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Abzinda, Ajenjo, Axenxo, Ch'igun, Damar, Donzell, Erbo bon, Erbo bono, Ferer urom, Gieshi, Havshan, Incienso, Indhana, Koirohi, Machipattri, Madderwood, Mastaru, Moshipatri, Mugwort, Nilampala, Oshindr, Osjenac, Panul, Polyn', Pravi pelin, Serpana, Tartiha, Tethwen, Tirunitripachcha, Urittige, Uruvalu, Vermeles, Vilayathi afsanthin

Synonyms

Absinthium bipedale Gilibert [Invalid]; Absinthium vulgare (L.) Lamarck; and others