Practical
Plants

Artemisia tilesii

Wormwood

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

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.

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[4].

Edible uses

The leaves are used for flavouring rice dumplings[2]. The raw shoots are peeled and eaten, usually with oil[8].

Plant part
Shoots
Product or use
Raw

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.

The plant is antirheumatic, antitumor, disinfectant, febrifuge, haemostatic, laxative and tonic[8]. It is used in the treatment of cancer and to prevent infections in wounds etc[8]. An infusion of the leaves and flowering tops is used as a laxative and to treat stomach aches[8]. An infusion is used internally to treat rheumatism and is also applied externally to swollen joints[8]. A poultice of the leaves is applied to skin infections and to cuts to stop the bleeding[8]. A decoction is used as an eyewash[8]. The plant has properties similar to codeine[6]. The report does not specify which part of the plant is used[K]. Codeine is used as a painkiller.

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antitumor
Product or use
Disinfectant
Product or use
Haemostatic
Plant part
Leaves, Flowers
Product or use
Laxative
Plant part
Leaves, Flowers
Product or use
Stomachic
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Poultice
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Skin
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Eyewash

Material uses

The freshly crushed leaves can be rubbed on the hands to remove odours[8]. The plant is used as an incense and deodorant in the home[8].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Deodorant

Environment

Range
E. Asia to North-western N. America.
Habitat
Open rocky or gravelly wet or dry sites, mostly at rather high elevations in the mountains, but descending at times to sea level, N. Montana to Alaska[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse, making sure that the compost does not dry out[3]. 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. Division in spring or autumn[3]. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when about10 - 15cm long, pot up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse or cold frame and plant them out when well rooted. Very easy.

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a warm sunny dry position[1][3]. Established plants are drought tolerant[3]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5].

References

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

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

    ↩

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

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

    ↩

  8. 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

  9. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

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