Sea Wormwood

Artemisia maritima

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Basic Information

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

Genus: artemisia

Plant ID (slug): artemisia-maritima

Numeric ID: 22176

USDA Hardiness: 6-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Artemisia maritima is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

Much of Europe, including Britain, east to central Asia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Condiment The leaves are occasionally used as a flavouring[183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Antiseptic Antispasmodic Carminative Cholagogue Emmenagogue Febrifuge Stimulant Stomachic Tonic Vermifuge 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[4]. The leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[4, 145]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[4]. The unexpanded floral heads contain the vermicide 'santonin'[218].

Known Hazards

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[20, 61]. Even small quantities have been known to cause nervous disorders, convulsions, insomnia etc[222]. Just the scent of the plant has been known to cause headaches and nervousness in some people[169].