Artemisia lactiflora

Artemisia lactiflora, the white mugwort, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family, native to western China. It is a vigorous clump-forming herbaceous perennial growing to 1.5m, with plumes of creamy-white flower heads appearing in summer and autumn above dark green leaves. This is the only artemisia which is cultivated as much for its flowers as for its foliage. Plants grown in poor dry soil are hardier and last longer than those grown in heavy, damp soil. The specific epithet lactiflora means "milk-white flowers". This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Description

A small shrub which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.5 m high and spreads 60 cm wide. It forms clumps. The leaf stalk is 20-25 cm long and reddish-purple. The leaves are green and divided. The flowers are small and cream. They occur in tall feather like groups.

Edible Uses

None known

Traditional Uses

Only 2 or 3 leaves are cooked in soup. They are also boiled or stir fried.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Emmenagogue Tonic White mugwort is a bitter aromatic tonic herb. The leaves and flowering stems are used internally in traditional Chinese medicine to treat menstrual and liver disorders.

Known Hazards

The plant might be poisonous in large doses. The plant contains potentially allergenic sesquiterpene lactones. Skin contact with the plant can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is native to northern China and to the Himalayas. It needs reasonable amounts of moisture. It suits neutral to acid soils and can tolerate some shade. It suits hardiness zones 4-10. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China*, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, SE Asia, Singapore, Taiwan, Tasmania, Thailand,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly acid loamy soil, preferring a sunny position and a moisture-retentive soil. Plants are tolerant of light shade. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

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.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Other Information

It is a cultivated food plant. It is regarded as a delicacy. It is sold in local markets in China.

Notes

There are about 300 Artemisia species. It has established anti-cancer properties.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Angle dish, Ching-chu-chai, Doak kaew muange jeen, Dok kaeo mueang cheen, Ghost plant, Horn vegetable, Kaeo mueang cheen, Sweet potherb, White Mugwort, White wormwood, Yomogina, Zhen zhu cai

References (18)

• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 151
• Brown, D., 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of Herbs and their uses. DK Books. p 133
• Chao, Pi-Yu, et al, 2014, Antioxidant Activity in Extracts of 27 Indigenous Taiwanese Vegetables. Nutrients 2014, 6, 2115-2130
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 190
• Dahlen, M., 1995, A Cook's Guide to Chinese Vegetables. The Guidebook Company. p 58

More from Asteraceae

Matricaria recutita

German Camomile

Melampodium divaricatum

Butter daisy

Melanthera biflora

Beach sunflower, Sea daisy

Melanthera scandens

Waga waga

Metalasia densa

Microseris laciniata

Cutleaf silverpuffs