Artemisia campestris
L.
Field Southernwood
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Description
Artemisia campestris is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Edible Uses
Seeds are occasionally eaten, e.g., Kayenta Navajo used seeds (subsp. pacifica) in mush. Rare reports elsewhere suggest limited safety. Leaves and other parts are inedible due to thujone.
Medicinal Uses
Abortifacient Anthelmintic Antiseptic Cholagogue Deobstruent Eczema Emmenagogue Ophthalmic Poultice Stomachic Tonic. Related to the southernwood, A. abrotanum, this species has similar though milder medicinal properties. The herb is anthelmintic, antiseptic, cholagogue, deobstruent, emmenagogue, stomachic and tonic. The main use of this herb is as an emmenagogue, it is also a good stimulant tonic and has some nervine principle. The leaves have been chewed in order to treat stomach problems. The plant was used by some native North American Indian tribes as an abortifacient to terminate difficult pregnancies. Externally, the plant has been crushed and applied to rheumatic joints, eczema, bruises and sores. A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to sore eyes. An infusion of the roots has been used, especially on children, as a hair tonic and to treat scalp infections. It has been taken internally to promote urination and bowel movements.
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
Temperate regions throughout the northern hemisphere, including Britain.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation (Altay, Kurganskaja oblast, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tyumen (south)), Kazakhstan NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California (north), Nevada, Utah), Mexico (Chihuahua) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Cultivation
Herbaceous perennial forming colonies. Blooms late summer to autumn. Considered hardy and adaptable, tolerant of poor soils. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil. 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. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn.
Other Uses
Essential. The pulverized roots are aromatic and have been used as a perfume. Antimicrobial properties may have preserved food.
Also Known As
Field / Common Sagewort, field wormwood, beach wormwood, northern wormwood, Breckland wormwood, boreal wormwood, Canadian wormwood, field sagewort and field mugwort.
