Redstem wormwood (Artemisia scoparia, Descr. Icon. Pl. Hung. 1: 66 (1802))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Waldst. & Kit.

Bibliography: Descr. Icon. Pl. Hung. 1: 66 (1802)

Year: 1802

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Artemisia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Eurasia

Description

Redstem wormwood, known scientifically as Artemisia scoparia, is a noteworthy species within the rich and diverse Asteraceae family. This plant was first comprehensively described in the early 19th century by botanists Waldstein and Kitaibel in the reference work “Descriptiones et Icones Plantarum Hungariae” in 1802. Its historical and botanical significance is thus well-documented within early European botanical literature.

Native to the diverse landscapes of Eurasia, Redstem wormwood thrives in various climates and regions across this vast continental area. It is particularly adapted to environments ranging from temperate to more arid conditions, showcasing its ecological versatility.

Artemisia scoparia is distinguished by its characteristic reddish stems, from which it derives its common name. These stems often provide a striking contrast to the plant’s finely divided, almost feathery leaves, adding an aesthetic appeal to its functional properties. The foliage of Redstem wormwood carries a distinctive aromatic quality, a trait common among many members of the Artemisia genus.

This perennial herb plays an essential role in traditional medicine and local ecosystems across its native range. It is often used for its medicinal properties in various cultures, harnessing its potential benefits for health and wellness. Additionally, Artemisia scoparia contributes to the habitat’s biodiversity, supporting various insect species and interacting with numerous other plants within its ecosystem.

Overall, Redstem wormwood is not just a plant of striking appearance and medical utility but also a species with deep historical roots and ecological importance in the Eurasian region. Its discovery and documentation in the early 1800s mark it as a significant botanical find, continuing to capture the interests of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Deu: besen-beifuß
Dan: grenet bynke
Heb: la’anat ha’machbed, לענת המכבד
Eng: redstem wormwood, yin-chen wormwood
Por: artemisia
Est: luudjas puju
Ces: pelyněk metlatý
Lav: slotiņu vībotne
Swe: vippmalört, grenmalört
Lit: šluotinis kietis
En: Redstem wormwood, Red-Stem Wormwood, Yin-chen wormwood
Cs: Pelyněk metlatý
Da: Grenet bynke
Et: Luudjas puju
Fr: Armoise à balais
De: Besen-Beifuß
He: La’anat ha’machbed, לענת המכבד
Lv: Slotiņu vībotne
Lt: Šluotinis kietis
Pt: Artemisia
Sv: Vippmalört, Grenmalört

Synonyms

• Artemisia kohatica (Klatt)
• Artemisia scopariiformis (Popov)
• Artemisia capillaris var. scoparia ((Waldst. & Kit.) Pamp.)
• Artemisia scoparioides (Grossh.)
• Artemisia scoparia f. sericea (Kom.)
• Artemisia capillaris var. grandiflora (Pamp.)
• Artemisia trichophylla (Wall. ex DC.)
• Artemisia scoparia subsp. villosa (Chrustaleva & Kupr.)
• Artemisia capillaris f. elegans ((Roxb.) Pamp.)
• Draconia scoparia ((Waldst. & Kit.) Soják)
• Artemisia scoparia var. heteromorpha (Kitag.)
• Artemisia capillaris f. myriocephala (Pamp.)
• Artemisia scoparia f. villosa (Korsh.)
• Artemisia gracilis (L’Hér. ex DC.)
• Artemisia capillaris f. villosa ((Korsh.) Pamp.)
• Artemisia capillaris f. williamsonii (Pamp.)
• Oligosporus scoparius ((Waldst. & Kit.) Less.)
• Artemisia capillaris f. kohatica ((Klatt) Pamp.)
• Artemisia piperita (Pall. ex Ledeb.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maluku (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Sinai (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2020 by Eiki Eiche (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.

Habit

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2016 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 5, 2016 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Dec 5, 2016 by offline ad (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• WFO (No URL)
• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3120713)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:180092-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Artemisia scoparia Waldst. & Kitam.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth