Artemisia dracunculus

A perennial reaching 0.6 m tall and 0.3 m wide with medium growth rate. Flowers from June to August. Wind-pollinated, hermaphroditic, and self-fertile. Noted for attracting wildlife. Prefers light sandy and medium loamy well-drained soils with neutral to mildly alkaline pH. Grows in full sun or semi-shade, tolerates drought and both dry and moist soils. Hardy to UK zone 6.

Description

A bushy herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.5 m high and spreads 90 cm high. The stalks are wiry and form a tangled mass. It can be 1 m high. The leaves are smooth, dark-green, glossy and narrow. They are 2.5-3.7 cm long. The leaves are opposite. The leaves have an aroma. The flowers are small and white. They are in round flower heads. These form long spikes. Often seed is not sett.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Condiment Leaves excellent as seasoning — aromatic, reminiscent of culinary French tarragon. Seeds edible, ground into a nutty, oily flour or porridge. Highly praised by Goshiute (“pahwats”) as staple food [2-3]. Leaves - raw or used as a flavouring in soups etc. Tarragon is a commonly used herbal flavouring that is used in many traditional recipes. It is particularly of value because of its beneficial effect upon the digestion and so is often used with oily foods. The leaves can also be harvested in late summer and dried for later use. The aromatic leaves have a very nice flavour that is somewhat liquorice-like[183, K]. They make an excellent flavouring in salads. The young shoots can also be cooked and used as a potherb. The leaves are used as a flavouring in vinegar. An essential oil from the leaves is used as a flavouring.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: The oil is poisonous. The oil can be extracted by oil distillation and used in flavouring. The leaves are used for their flavouring. They are used in salads, vegetable dishes, and for flavouring mayonnaise, jellies, vinegar and liqueurs. They are used to make alcoholic drinks. (Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer)

Medicinal Uses

Antiscorbutic Appetizer Diuretic Emmenagogue Febrifuge Hypnotic Odontalgic Stomachic Vermifuge Tarragon is a bitter warming aromatic herb that stimulates the digestive system and uterus, lowers fevers and destroys intestinal worms. It is little used in modern herbalism, though it is sometimes employed as an appetizer. The leaves (and an essential oil obtained from them) are antiscorbutic, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypnotic and stomachic. An infusion is used in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence, nausea, hiccups etc. The plant is mildly sedative and has been taken to aid sleep. It also has mild emmenagogue properties and can be used to induce a delayed period. A poultice can be used to relieve rheumatism, gout, arthritis and toothache. The plant is harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use. This herb should not be prescribed for pregnant women. The root has been used to cure toothache. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to treat digestive and menstrual problems.

Known Hazards

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It does best in well drained soil and a sunny position. It cannot tolerate frost. In the Himalayas it grows between 2,700-4,700 m altitude. It is often in stony places. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. It the tropics it is grown in mountainous regions.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cuba, Egypt, Europe, France, Georgia, Hawaii, *Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia*, SE Asia, Serbia, Siberia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Indies,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a warm sunny dry position. Plants are not very long-lived when grown in clay soils. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil. Established plants are drought tolerant. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.5 to 7.8. Plants are relatively hardy in Britain, but can be killed in wet winters. It is best to grow tarragon in a dry, rather poor soil since this will produce hardier plants. The dry soil will also help to reduce predation by slugs, these creatures are very fond of the young growth and have been known to completely destroy even well-established plants. When well suited, the plants can spread freely at the roots. The flowers do not open in cool summers and viable seed is seldom produced. Often grown in the herb garden, tarragon is also sometimes grown commercially for its edible leaves which are used mainly as a flavouring. There is at least one named variety, 'Epicure' is a new fragrant cultivar. There is a closely related species, A. dracunculoides or Russian tarragon, which is quite inferior in flavour, though sometimes supplied under this name. A good companion for most plants, especially aubergines and sweet peppers. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. The aerial parts can be harvested in summer when they are in full bloom, while roots can be harvested in autumn. Artemisia typically flowers in summer. Artemisia species can vary in growth rate, but many are moderately fast-growing, reaching maturity within 1-2 years under optimal conditions.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. Fertile seed is rarely produced from this plant - most if not all seed supplied under this name is of the inferior form, Russian tarragon (A. dracunculoides). Therefore, it is best to only propagate by division. Division is very easy in spring or autumn. The divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we prefer to pot them up first and grow them on in a cold frame until they have rooted well. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest young shoots about 10 - 15c long and pot them up in a lightly shaded place in a greenhouse or cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions when well rooted. A very quick and easy method of propagation.

Other Uses

Essential Repellent Agroforestry uses: Artemisia species are often used for soil improvement, as ground cover, and in companion planting due to their pest-repellent properties. Some species are also used for erosion control. The leaves contain about 0.3% essential oil, about 70% of which is methyl chivacol. This is used as a food flavouring, in detergents and also medicinally. Both the growing and the dried plant repels insects. Landscape Uses: Container, Seashore. Special Features: Edible, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms. Provides shelter for beneficial invertebrates: insects and other arthropods. A specialist nectary plant [1-2]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Artemisia species produce flowers that can provide nectar and pollen, attracting various pollinators, including bees. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – The leaves of some Artemisia species are consumed by various insects and herbivores. Additionally, the plant can provide cover for small wildlife. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – The dense foliage can offer shelter and overwintering sites for beneficial insects, and the leaf litter can provide habitat for various invertebrates. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): Yes – Many Artemisia species are aromatic and can confuse or repel pests due to their strong scent, which may deter some insects. Special Uses Attracts Wildlife Food Forest Scented Plants

Production

The leaves can be dried and stored. Stems are cut and hung in a dark location with good air circulation then the leaves are removed after a few days.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Notes

There are about 300 Artemisia species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Dragon mugwort, Estragon, Pehtran, T'arkhuna

References (45)

• Abbet, C., et al, 2014, Ethnobotanical survey on wild alpine food plants in Lower and Central Valais (Switzerland). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 151 (2014) 624–634
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 55
• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 42
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 104
• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 151

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