Annual wormwood (Artemisia annua, Sp. Pl.: 847 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 847 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Artemisia

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: N. Africa to Eurasia

Description

Annual wormwood, known scientifically as Artemisia annua, is a notable species within the Asteraceae family. This annual aromatic herb has garnered significant attention due to its origins and wide distribution, spanning across North Africa to Eurasia. Initially described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in the year 1753, Artemisia annua has since become a subject of extensive botanical and pharmaceutical research.

Characterized by its bright green, finely divided leaves and small yellowish flowers, annual wormwood typically thrives in warm, temperate climates where it flourishes in well-drained, sandy soils. The plant can reach heights of up to 2.5 meters, creating a visually striking presence in the landscape. Its lifecycle completes within a year, contributing to its designation as an annual species.

Beyond its botanical intrigue, Artemisia annua is particularly esteemed for its medicinal properties. The plant contains artemisinin, a compound that has revolutionized the treatment of malaria and earned it a prominent place in modern medicine. This remarkable discovery has led to intensive cultivation and research aimed at optimizing the extraction and application of artemisinin.

Moreover, the plant has a history of use in traditional medicine across various cultures within its native range. Its applications extend to remedies for fevers and inflammation, showcasing its versatility and enduring relevance in herbal practices.

In addition to its medicinal benefits, annual wormwood plays a role in ecological balance. Its aromatic oils can deter certain insects, making it an environmentally friendly option for pest control in agricultural settings. This multifaceted plant, with its combination of historical significance, medicinal value, and ecological benefits, continues to captivate scientists, herbalists, and ecologists alike.

Common Names

Eng: annual mugwort, annual wormwood, sweet annie, sweet sagewort, sweet wormwood, sweet-wormwood
Deu: einjähriger beifuß
Dan: enårig malurt
Fra: armoise annuelle
Por: artemísia, artemísia-chinesa, artemísia-doce, losna-verde
Swe: sommarmalört
Nld: zomeralsem
Cym: y feidiog unflwydd
En: Annual wormwood, Sweet Annie, Annual mugwort, Sweet sagewort, Sweet wormwood, Annual sagewort, Sweet-wormwood
Ar: شيح حولي
Az: Birillik yovşan
Be: Палын аднагадовы
Bg: Едногодишен пелин
My: ချင်ဟောက်စုပင်
Ca: Artemísia anual
Zh: 黃花蒿
Hr: Slatki pelin
Cs: Pelyněk roční
Da: Kinesisk malurt, Enårig malurt
Nl: Zomeralsem
Et: Üheaastane puju
Fi: Kesämaruna
Fr: Armoise annuelle
De: Einjähriger Beifuß
El: ΑΡΤΕΜΙΣΙΑ ΑΝΝΟΥΑ
He: לענה חד-שנתית
It: Assenzio annuale, Artemisia annuale
Ko: 개똥쑥
Mk: Едногодишен пелин
Ml: ആർ​ട്ടി​മീ​സിയ ആ​നു​വ
Fa: گندواش
Pl: Bylica roczna
Pt: Artemísia, Artemísia-chinesa, Artemísia-doce, Losna-verde
Ro: Peliniță
Ru: Полынь однолетняя
Sr: Слатки пелин
Es: Enoletni pelin
Sv: Sommarmalört
Zh-tw: 黃花蒿
Tg: Бӯгинакҷорӯб
Th: โกฐจุฬาลัมพา
Uk: Полин однорічний
Vi: Thanh hao
Cy: Y feidiog unflwydd

Synonyms

• Artemisia exilis (Fisch. ex DC.)
• Artemisia wadei (Edgew.)
• Artemisia hyrcana (Spreng.)
• Artemisia plumosa (Fisch. ex Besser)
• Artemisia annua f. macrocephala (Pamp.)
• Artemisia stewartii (C.B.Clarke)
• Artemisia chamomilla (C.Winkl.)
• Artemisia suaveolens (Fisch.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Libya (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Albania (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Marco Cuesta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2019 by Catherine Delmare (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Pazzaglia Aron (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by Joëlle mercier (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2019 by Gisele Dutheuil (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 20, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by vero veronique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2005 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 24, 2021 by Jean Marie Ramel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 22, 2005 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 28, 2019 by Dominique Wernert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2019 by Yvon REPÉRANT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2019 by bettina lembeck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − DOMINIQUE BLANC (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Bénédicte OUDART (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Geoffrey Crespel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − DOMINIQUE BLANC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2020 by Borjas Aroa (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 19, 2020 by Claire Breit (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Francisco Javier Gomez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2019 by Helene Pepin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2022 by Pierre Wenmaekers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2017 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 16, 2021 by arati harpaul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2005 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 29, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2020 by Alicia Gauthier (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8373355)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304416-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Artemisia annua L.)

Specifications

Growth