Common Name:

General Information

Artemisia genipi is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a tufted mat of growth up to 25cm tall[].
The plant is a major source of the flavouring genipi, used to flavour the liqueur of the same name. It is commonly harvested from the wild for local use and also for commercial use, and is also sometimes used locally as a medicine, especially for the digestive system.
The plant is common and widespread in the Alps. However, locally the collection for drink production and medicine can cause the reduction of the numbers and collection should therefore be controlled. It is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

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

Europe - mountainous regions of France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Slovenia

Habitat

Calcareous grassland, screes and moist rocky habitats; at elevations from 1,400 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus are generally easily grown, succeeding in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[, ]. They tend to be longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[].
Established plants are drought tolerant.
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

The plant is used as a flavouring in drinks[]. Its flowering stems are the major source of genipi, the flavouring used to flavour the liqueur of the same name[].

Medicinal

The plant is used medicinally[]. We have no further information here, but the liqueur 'Genipi' (which is flavoured with this plant) is generally viewed as a digestive tonic and so it is assumed that the plant itself is likely to be a digestive tonic[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse, making sure that the compost does not dry out[]. 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[].
Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when about 10 - 15cm long, pot up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse or cold frame and plant them out when well rooted. Very easy.