Common Name:

General Information

Artemisia ordosica is a much-branched shrub growing 50 - 100cm tall from a strong, woody rootstock[].
The plant is harvested from the wild and used to make herbal medicines. It is used to provide shelter and to stabilize sandy soils - it is cultivated for this purpose in parts of China[].

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

E. Asia - northern China

Habitat

Dunes, desert areas, dry slopes, desert steppes; from low elevations to 1,500 meres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.75 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, 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

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used for making antiinflammatory medicines[].

Other Uses

The plant is used to provide shelter and to stabilize sandy soils[].

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.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.