Old-man (Artemisia abrotanum, Sp. Pl.: 845 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 845 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Artemisia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Spain to Italy

Description

Old-man, scientifically known as Artemisia abrotanum, is a fascinating and uniquely named plant belonging to the prestigious Asteraceae family. This perennial shrub has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for centuries, ever since it was formally described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753.

Native to the Mediterranean regions stretching from Spain to Italy, Artemisia abrotanum thrives in areas with a warm, temperate climate. It is known for its distinctive, finely divided, aromatic foliage which emits a pleasant, camphor-like fragrance. The leaves are characteristically narrow and feathery, giving the plant an almost delicate appearance despite its hardy nature.

The Old-man plant has been utilized historically for both its medicinal and culinary properties. Traditionally, it was employed in herbal remedies, valued for its alleged antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits. In the kitchen, its aromatic leaves were occasionally used to flavor certain dishes, although its usage has waned over time.

In addition to its practical applications, Artemisia abrotanum is also appreciated for its ornamental value. It is often incorporated into garden designs for its attractive foliage and ability to deter pests, making it a beneficial companion plant. The shrub typically blooms in late summer, producing small, yellowish flower heads that, while not particularly showy, add to its overall charm.

Overall, Artemisia abrotanum, or Old-man, is a noteworthy plant with a rich history and multifaceted uses that span from medicinal and culinary applications to ornamental gardening. Its enduring presence across the Mediterranean stands as a testament to its resilience and enduring appeal.

Common Names

Dan: ambra, høst-tidløs, kantet perikon, stinkende gåsefod
Fra: armoise aurone, abrotone, aurone, citronelle aurone, armoise citronnelle, aurone mâle, citronnelle
Lit: diemedis
Deu: eberraute, stabwurz
Nor: firkantperikum, sildemelde, tidlaus
Swe: fyrkantig johannesört, rankspenat, stinkmålla, tidlösa, åbrodd
Fin: haisusavikka, syysmyrkkylilja, särmäkuisma
Eng: lad’s-love, old-man, slovenwood, southern wormwood, southernwood, old man, lad’s love, lemonwood
Por: abrótano, abrótono, artemísia, erva-lombrigueira
Spa: abrótano macho, ajenjo común, boja
Lav: dievkociņš
Hun: istenfa, ürömcserje
Ces: pelyněk brotan
Est: sidrunpuju
Nld: citroenkruid
Cym: hen ŵr
En: Old-man, Slovenwood, Southernwood, Lad’s-love, Southern wormwood, Old man, Lad’s love, Lemonwood, Tangerine Southernwood
Sq: Aborotoni
Hy: Օշինդր բուժիչ
Az: Müalicəvi yovşan
Ba: Полынь лечебная
Be: Палын мяцёлчаты
Bg: Катриника
Ca: Abròtan, Abròtan mascle, Broida
Zh: 欧亚碱蒿
Kw: Henwour
Hr: Gorkasti pelin
Cs: Pelyněk brotan
Da: Ambra, Høst-Tidløs, Kantet Perikon, Stinkende Gåsefod
Nl: Citroenkruid, Citroenalsem
Eo: Abrotano
Et: Sidrunpuju
Fi: Aaprottimaruna, Aaprotti, Haisusavikka, Syysmyrkkylilja, Särmäkuisma
Fr: Abrotone, Armoise aurone, Aurone, Citronelle aurone, Armoise citronnelle, Aurone mâle, Citronnelle, Citronelle
Gl: Abrótano macho
De: Eberraute, Stabwurz, Zarter Beifuß, Zitronenkraut
Hu: Istenfa, Ürömcserje
Io: Abrotano
It: Abrotano, Abrotono, Artemisia abrotano
Lv: Dievkociņš
Lt: Diemedis
No: Abrodd, Firkantperikum, Sildemelde, Tidlaus
Fa: برنجاسف جنوبی
Pl: Boże drzewko, Bylica boże drzewko
Pt: Abrótano, Abrótono, Artemísia, Erva-lombrigueira
Ru: Полынь лечебная
Sr: Божје дрвце
Sk: Palina obrovská
Es: Abrótano macho, Ajenjo común, Boja, Abrašica
Sv: Åbrodd, Fyrkantig johannesört, Rankspenat, Stinkmålla, Tidlösa
Zh-tw: 歐亞碱蒿
Tt: Полынь лечебная
Uk: Полин лікарський
Cy: Hen ŵr

Synonyms

• Artemisia sabulosa (Steven ex DC.)
• Artemisia abrotanifolia (Salisb.)
• Abrotanum pedunculare (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum platylobum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Artemisia altissima (Ehrh. ex DC.)
• Artemisia naronitana (Vis. ex DC.)
• Artemisia camphorata var. pauciflora ((Jord. & Fourr.) St.-Lag.)
• Artemisia camphorata var. rhodanica ((Jord. & Fourr.) Rouy)
• Abrotanum viridulum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum xerophilum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum pulverulentum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum rhodanicum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum suave (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Artemisia camphorata var. alpestris ((Jord. & Fourr.) St.-Lag.)
• Abrotanum virgatum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Artemisia angustifolia (Gray)
• Artemisia proceriformis (Krasch.)
• Artemisia anethifolia (Fisch. ex DC.)
• Artemisia camphorata var. xerophila ((Jord. & Fourr.) Rouy)
• Artemisia foeniculacea (Steven ex DC.)
• Artemisia tenuissima (Spreng. ex Besser)
• Artemisia camphorata var. peduncularis ((Jord. & Fourr.) St.-Lag.)
• Artemisia camphorata var. platyloba ((Jord. & Fourr.) St.-Lag.)
• Abrotanum pauciflorum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum incanescens (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum mas (Garsault)
• Abrotanum alpestre (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum ambiguum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum brachylobium (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Abrotanum congestum (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Artemisia herbacea (Clarke ex DC.)

Distribution

• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Spain (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 10, 2021 by Misho Mishov (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 13, 2022 by Ha Anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Pyx B. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2019 by Tom Flower (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 23, 2020 by mysan mysan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Денис (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2020 by Aurélien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Dubytskyi Vladyslav (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 24, 2019 by Uwe Winkler (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2020 by Brigitta Neubauer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2021 by Veronica Pilone (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2021 by Marcela Bulíčková (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2019 by linda flair (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 1995 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 1, 2020 by Milagros Milagros M Montalvo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by Małgorzata Bienia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2019 by Kienast Pierre (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 26, 2020 by Patrick Buchin (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/8042568)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:306365-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Artemisia abrotanum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub, Subshrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 7