Common Name:

General Information

Artemisia persica is a much-branched perennial plant growing 25 - 70cm tall. The plant has a thick, woody rotstock, producing several basal branches that are more or less woody and sometimes spine-tipped[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for medicinal use.

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

Asia - Iran, central Asia, Afghanistan, through the Himalayas of Pakistan, India, western Tibet and Myanmar

Habitat

Rocky slopes and sandy beaches; at an elevation from 2,900 - 4,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
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

None known

Medicinal

The plant is febrifuge, tonic and vermifuge[]. Artemisia persica is used as an anti-inflammatory, a haemostatic, or for aiding the digestion system[].

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.