Felonherb (Artemisia vulgaris, Sp. Pl.: 848 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 848 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Artemisia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Eurasia to Indo-China, N. Africa

Description

Mugwort, botanically named Artemisia vulgaris, is a perennial herb that has been widely utilized and recognized since ancient times. This valuable plant belongs to the Asteraceae family, which is renowned for its diverse and ecologically significant members.

Traditionally native to temperate regions across Eurasia through Indo-China and extending to Northern Africa, Mugwort has a storied history of cultural and medicinal significance. It is commonly found flourishing in a variety of habitats including meadows, waste areas, and alongside roads, demonstrating its robust adaptability.

Historically, Mugwort has been revered for both its medicinal properties and its culinary uses. In traditional medicine, it was often employed for its alleged effectiveness in treating various ailments, including digestive disorders, menstrual problems, and as a general tonic. The leaves and flowering tops of the plant were commonly used in these treatments, prepared as infusions or applied directly to the skin.

In addition to its medicinal applications, Mugwort has held a place in the culinary traditions of various cultures. Known for its slightly bitter flavor, it was typically used to season meat and fish or to add a unique taste to soups and stews.

The botanical description of Mugwort highlights its unique characteristics. The plant features deeply lobed, dark green leaves with a distinctive silvery underside, contributing to its identification in the wild. During its flowering phase, Mugwort produces small, reddish-yellow flower heads arranged in spikes or panicles, adding to its visual appeal.

Its use has not just been limited to medicinal or culinary purposes; Mugwort also has a notable presence in folklore and traditions. It was believed to possess protective qualities, with people often placing it under their pillows or hanging it in their homes to ward off evil spirits and bad dreams.

Despite its historical use, contemporary caution is advised due to some of its toxic components, particularly when it is used excessively or without proper knowledge. Modern herbalists and practitioners continue to explore and harness its properties, ensuring that its use is safe and beneficial.

In conclusion, Artemisia vulgaris, or Mugwort, stands as a testament to the enduring relationship between humans and plants. Its versatility across medicinal, culinary, and cultural fields underpins its historical significance and ongoing relevance. With its wide range of habitats from Eurasia to Northern Africa, Mugwort remains a globally recognized plant, continually contributing to the rich tapestry of natural heritage.

Common Names

Eng: artemisia, common wormwood, felonherb, green-ginger, hierba de san juan, mugwort, common mugwort, felon-herb, lobed wormwood, mother of herbs
Deu: gemeiner beifuss, gewöhnlicher beifuß, gemeiner beifuß
Dan: grå-bynke
Por: absinto-selvagem, anador, artemígem, artemígio, artemísia, artemísia-comum, erva-de-são-joão, estragão, flor-se-são-joão, losna, losna-brava
Fra: armoise commune, armoise vulgaire
Spa: artemisia, hierba de san juan
Nld: bijvoet
Nor: bue, bue-græs, bynke, graabue
Nno: burot
Nob: burot
Swe: gråbo, pujo
Fin: pujo
Sme: máron
Cym: beidiog lwyd, bydiog lwyd, canwraidd lwyd, gwrysgen lwyd, llwydlys, llys ifan, llys leuan, llysiau ifan, llysiau leuan, llysiau llwyd, llysiau llwydion, y feidiog lwyd
En: Felonherb, Mugwort, Green-ginger, Common wormwood, Artemisia, Hierba de San Juan, Mother of herbs, Common mugwort, Felon-herb, Lobed wormwood, Douglas Mugwort, Felon Herb, Sailor’s Tobacco, Wild Chrysanthemum, Chinese moxa, Old Man, St. John’s plant, Chrysanthemum weed, Naughty man, Old uncle Henry, Traveler’s herb, Wild wormwood
Ar: نبات الشيح الدارج, حبق الراعي, Habaq al-Rahi, Habaq ar-Rahi, حَبَق الرَّاعِي
Az: Adi yovşan
Be: Палын звычайны
Bg: Див пелин
Ca: Altimira, Altamira vera
Zh: 北艾
Cv: Хура эрĕм
Kw: Les loos
Hr: Divlji pelin
Cs: Pelyněk černobýl
Da: Grå-Bynke
Nl: Bijvoet
Et: Harilik puju
Fi: Pujo
Fr: Armoise commune, Armoise vulgaire, Herbe Saint-Jean, Armoise citronnelle, Artémise, Herbe aux cent goûts, Herbe de feu, Herbe royale, Remise, Tabac de saint Pierre, Armoise, Armoise septentrionale, Ceinture de Saint-Jean, Genépi vrai, Genépi noir
Gl: Herba de Nosa Señora
Ka: Მამულა
De: Gemeiner Beifuß, Gewöhnlicher Beifuß, Gemeiner Beifuss, Gewürz-Beifuß, Wilder Wermut, Beifuß
Ht: Amwaz
Hu: Fekete üröm
Is: Búrót
Ga: Mongach meisce
It: Amarella, Assenzio selvatico
Kn: ಮಾಚಿಪತ್ರೆ
Kk: Қараермен
Lv: Vībotne
Li: Aels
Lt: Paprastasis kietis
Lb: Bäibes
Mk: Див пелин
Ms: Baru Cina
Gv: Bollan bane
Ne: तितेपाती
Se: Máron
No: Burot, Bue, Bue-græs, Bynke, Graabue
Nb: Burot
Nn: Burot
Fa: برنجاسف
Pl: Bylica, Bylica pospolita
Pt: Artemísia, Absinto-selvagem, Anador, Artemígem, Artemígio, Artemísia-comum, Erva-de-são-joão, Estragão, Flor-se-são-joão, Losna, Losna-brava, Artemisia
Ru: Polyn obyknovennaya, Černobyl’nik, Полынь обыкновенная
Sr: Дивљи пелин
Sk: Palina obyčajná
Es: Hierba de San Juan, Artemisia, Navadni pelin, Artemisia vulgar, Sisim, Artemisa
Su: Lokatmala
Sv: Gråbo, Pujo
Zh-tw: 北艾
Tg: Биринҷосан
Ta: மாசிபத்திரி
Te: మాచిపత్రి
Th: โกฐจุฬาลัมพาไทย
Tr: Bayağı yavşan
Uk: Полин звичайний
Vi: Ngải cứu
Cy: Y feidiog lwyd, Beidiog Lwyd, Bydiog Lwyd, Canwraidd Lwyd, Gwrysgen Lwyd, Llwydlys, Llys Ifan, Llys Leuan, Llysiau Ifan, Llysiau Leuan, Llysiau Llwyd, Llysiau Llwydion

Synonyms

• Artemisia vulgaris var. typica (H.St.John)
• Artemisia vulgaris subsp. typica (H.M.Hall & Clem.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Laos (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 4, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2019 by Martine (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2019 by giacomo (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Jean Robino (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Hans Bousema (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 4, 2019 by Minoritos (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2019 by Natascha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Catherine loiseleux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2019 by A. (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2021 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2019 by Minoritos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 29, 2019 by Rocket Rain Tauvecan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2020 by Markus Binderhofer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by Hans van den Heuvel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2020 by MMR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2021 by Aileen Tan (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 16, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by attila szilvagyi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2022 by me me (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:20812-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3120946)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Artemisia vulgaris L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb, Subshrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 8