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THE ARTEMISIA FAMILY

A family of aromatic herbs well known &. common in the British Isles, the most famous of which is Wormwood, valued for centuries by its inclusion in beers & spirits as a 'mind restorative', the most famous of which is absinthe. They are equally famous for their use as an insectiside & ability to grow in harsh environments. There is a wealth of information on the two most common species, Mugwort & Wormwood, their uses wide and varied. Other species are less well known & somewhat rare, and I have tried here to gather as much information on them as possible.

CLASSIFICATION

DIVISION : Angiosperms
CLASS : Magnoliopsida
SUBCLASS : Asteraceae
ORDER : Campanuales
FAMILY : Compositae

SECTION 1 : Artemisia

A. vulgaris, A. verlotiorum, A. stellerana,
A. norvegica, A. absinthium, A. maritima,
A. abrotanum, A. biennis, A. pontica.

SECTION 2 : Dranunculus

A. campestris, A. scoparia.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENT

The strong aromatic oils deter most herbivours & pests. These oils cause quick burning of the plant, thereby not damaging roots, recovery is quick.
The white hairs on the leaves help to retain moisture, and reflects sunlight.