Practical
Plants

Artemisia maritima

Sea Wormwood

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.6 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.

The following notes are from a report on the closely related A. absinthum, they quite possibly also apply to this species. The plant is poisonous if used in large quantities[9][18]. Even small quantities have been known to cause nervous disorders, convulsions, insomnia etc[12]. Just the scent of the plant has been known to cause headaches and nervousness in some people[4].

Edible uses

The leaves are occasionally used as a flavouring[7]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves
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.

Sea wormwood is not much used in herbal medicine, though it is often used domestically. Its medicinal virtues are similar to wormwood, A. absinthum, though milder in their action. It is used mainly as a tonic to the digestive system, in treating intermittent fevers and as a vermifuge[16]. The leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[16][3]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[16]. The unexpanded floral heads contain the vermicide 'santonin'[11].

Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Antiseptic
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Carminative
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Cholagogue
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Febrifuge
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Stimulant
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Stomachic
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Tonic
Plant part
Leaves, Shoots
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

The growing shoots are said to repel insects and mice[17][6][9], they have also been used as a strewing herb[16][2]. An infusion is said to discourage slugs and insects[2][6].

Plant part
Shoots
Product or use
Repellent
Plant part
Shoots
Product or use
Strewing

Environment

Range
Much of Europe, including Britain, east to central Asia.
Habitat
Drier parts of salt marshes[5] in sand and shingle[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse, making sure that the compost does not dry out[10]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Division in spring or autumn[10].

Cultivation

Succeeds in any soil but prefers a poor dry soil with a warm aspect[15]. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1][10]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[14]. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.0 to 7.6. Dislikes shade. Established plants are very drought tolerant[8][10]. Tolerates maritime exposure[8]. The whole plant has a sweet aromatic smell[14]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[13].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2

  3. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩

  4. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  6. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  8. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  11. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  15. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2

    ↩

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

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