Common Name:

General Information

Artemisia rupestris is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing 20 - 50cm tall; it forms a cluster of unbranched to shortly-branched stems that become more or less woody at their base[].
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

Eastern and northern Europe, through Russian Asia tp Mongolia, western China, central Asia and Afghanistan; Northern N. America - Yukon

Habitat

Dry hills, desert or semidesert steppes, grassy marshlands, dry river valleys, riverbeds, scrub, forest margins; at elevations from 1,100 - 2,900 metres[]. Steppes, alkaline meadows, stony slopes; at elevations to 1,400 metres in Yukon[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.35 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

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is used in anti-inflammatory and hemostatic medicines[].

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.