Common Name: Great Mugwort

General Information

Artemisia arborescens is an evergreen, aromatic, perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody, at least at the base, and can persist; the plant grows up to 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens, there are some named varieties[].

Known Hazards

Although we have seen no specific reports for this species, many members of this genus contain potentially allergenic sesquiterpene lactones that can cause skin reactions[].

Botanical References

Range

Mediterranean - Portugal and Spain to Greece; Algeria to Libya; Turkey and the Levant

Habitat

Maquis and forest[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Artemisia arborescens is only hardy in the milder regions of the temperate zone, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[].
Succeeds in any well-drained, moderately fertile circumneutral or slightly alkaline soil, preferring a position in full sun[]. Plants in this genus tend to be longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[].
A very polymorphic species.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The Greeks and the Arabs applied this plant vaginally for contraceptive purposes[]. The aerial parts of the plant contain artemisan, a natural contraceptive[].
The plant has antiviral properties that have been demonstrated as effective in vitro against Herpes simplex virus 1[].
A new sequiterpene lactone 3α,4α-10β-trihydroxy-8α-acetyloxyguaian-12,6α-olide, has been isolated from aerial parts of this plant[].

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the plant has demonstrated insecticidal activity against a range of insects[]. The main constituents of the oil are Α-pinene, β-thujone, camphor, beta-carophyllene and chamazulene[]. Yields of 0.8% have been achieved from the leaves[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates within 2 - 26 weeks at 15°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. They can be planted out in the summer, or kept in pots in a cold frame for the winter and then planted out in the spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Division in spring or autumn.