Practical
Plants

Artemisia frigida

Fringed Wormwood

a perennial member of the Artemisia genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[8].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are used by the Hopi Indians as a flavouring for sweet corn[13][3][4][5][11].

Product or use
Condiment

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are stomachic, vermifuge and used in the treatment of women's complaints[3]. The plant contains camphor, which is stimulant and antispasmodic[7]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of biliousness, indigestion, coughs and colds whilst the leaves are chewed and the juice swallowed to treat heartburn[11]. A poultice of the chewed leaves is used as a poultice to reduce swellings and the leaves are also placed in the nose to stop nosebleeds[11]. A hot poultice of the leaves has been used to treat toothache[11]. The leaves can be used as a sanitary towel to help reduce skin irritation[11]. They are also drunk as a tea when the woman is menstruating or to treat irregular menstruation[11]. The dried leaves are burnt in a room as a disinfectant[11]. A decoction of the root is used as a stimulant and tonic[11].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Disinfectant
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Vermifuge
Product or use
Women's complaints

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Both the growing and the dried plant can be used as an insect repellent[3]. The leaves can be placed on a camp fire to repel mosquitoes[11]. The aromatic leaves have been used in pillows etc as a deodorant[11]. Bunches of the soft leaves have been used as towels, toilet paper etc[11]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[11].

Product or use
Deodorant
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
N. America - Minnesota to Saskatchewan, Yukon, Texas and Arizona. N. Asia.
Habitat
Dry prairies, plains and rocks to 3300 metres in N. America[12][2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse in a very free-draining soil, but make sure that the compost does not dry out. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 2 weeks in a warm greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Division in spring or autumn[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil that is not too rich[1][6]. Requires a lime-free soil. Established plants are very drought tolerant[6]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[10]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩

  3. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  9. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  10. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  12. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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