Poljakov (Fl. URSS 26: 465. 1961) showed that Artemisia sacrorum and the type of Artemisia gmelinii are conspecific. Most material previously identified as Artemisia gmelinii by Chinese authors belongs to Artemisia santolinifolia[].

Common Name: Russian Wormwood

General Information

Artemisia gmelinii is a more or less woody, perennial plant growing 50 - 100cm tall, exceptionally to 150cm. The plant spreads by means of woody rhizomes to produces a cluster of stems that are branched above[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and possibly also as a food. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, 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

Eastern Europe through northern and central Asia to northern India, China, Mongolia, Japan and Korea.

Habitat

Dry stony slopes[]. Hills, waysides, shrublands, slopes, often dominant on southern slopes, roadsides, forest steppes, steppes, meadows, dry floodlands, wastelands; at elevations from 1,000 - 4,900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

One report says that the plant is edible but gives no more details[].

Medicinal

The leaf and stem are used in Korea to treat hepatitis, hyperlipaemia and infected cholecystitis[]. The plant contains flavonoids, sesquiterpenes and other bio-active constituents, though no bio-activites have been recorded scientifically[].

The plant yields up to 1% essential oil, which contains 19 - 26% cineole, 6% camphor[].

Other Uses

The plant yields 1% essential oil, which contains 19% essential oil, 6% camphor[].

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 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.