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Artemisia maritima - L.

Common Name Sea Wormwood
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards The following notes are from a report on the closely related A. absinthum, they quite possibly also apply to this species. The plant is poisonous if used in large quantities[20, 61]. Even small quantities have been known to cause nervous disorders, convulsions, insomnia etc[222]. Just the scent of the plant has been known to cause headaches and nervousness in some people[169].
Habitats Drier parts of salt marshes[17] in sand and shingle[190].
Range Much of Europe, including Britain, east to central Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Artemisia maritima Sea Wormwood


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artemisia_maritima_Sturm36-cropped.jpg
Artemisia maritima Sea Wormwood
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Artemisia maritima is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Seriphidium maritimum. (L.)Soják.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The leaves are occasionally used as a flavouring[183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Antiseptic  Antispasmodic  Carminative  Cholagogue  Emmenagogue  Febrifuge  Stimulant  
Stomachic  Tonic  Vermifuge

Sea wormwood is not much used in herbal medicine, though it is often used domestically. Its medicinal virtues are similar to wormwood, A. absinthum, though milder in their action. It is used mainly as a tonic to the digestive system, in treating intermittent fevers and as a vermifuge[4]. The leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[4, 145]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[4]. The unexpanded floral heads contain the vermicide 'santonin'[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Repellent  Strewing

The growing shoots are said to repel insects and mice[6, 18, 20], they have also been used as a strewing herb[4, 14]. An infusion is said to discourage slugs and insects[14, 18].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any soil but prefers a poor dry soil with a warm aspect[37]. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1, 200]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[245]. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.0 to 7.6. Dislikes shade. Established plants are very drought tolerant[190, 200]. Tolerates maritime exposure[190]. The whole plant has a sweet aromatic smell[245]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse, making sure that the compost does not dry out[200]. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Division in spring or autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Artemisia japonica Perennial1.0 7-10  LMHSNDM121
Artemisia keiskeana Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNDM212
Artemisia laciniataSiberian wormwoodPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNDM10 
Artemisia lactifloraWhite MugwortPerennial1.5 4-8 SLMHSNM02 
Artemisia lancea Perennial1.2 -  LMHSNDM11 
Artemisia ludovicianaWhite Sage, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Sage, Western MugwortPerennial1.0 4-9 MLMSNDM222
Artemisia ludoviciana gnaphalodesWhite SagePerennial1.0 4-8  LMSNDM021
Artemisia mexicanaMexican White SagebrushPerennial1.0 -  LMNDM01 
Artemisia michauxianaMountain Sagewort, Michaux's wormwoodPerennial0.5 3-7  LMSNDM11 
Artemisia monophylla Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNDM10 
Artemisia montana Perennial1.8 -  LMHSNDM10 
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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Readers comment

Muhammad Hassan   Sun Jun 17 2007

the name of family has been changed from Compositae to Asteraceae but here the old name is still used

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