Introduced in the early 19th century to be cultivated for medicinal uses
Native to Eurasia, the Middle East, and North Africa

Wormwood
(Artemisia absinthium)

Quick Identification

Plants can grow 3-5 feet tall and up to 2 feet wide
Leaves are an olive-green color
When crushed, leaves release a strong, sage-like odor

Impact
Wormwood reduces available forage in native pastures and will also taint the milk of cattle that graze on it.

Management
Individual plants can be dug up. Larger patches can be mowed as close to the ground as possible. Herbicide treatments are also available for this species.

Flower
Dull yellow, ¼ inch, button-like flower heads appear in loose clusters on the upper plant. They consist of tiny central disk flowers, do not have petals, and often droop, making them less visible.

Leaves & Stems
The leaves are lacy with rounded tips and a fine covering of hairs, giving them a grey-green hue. They grow alternately along the stems. Stems are woody and branching.

Roots
It has a thick central taproot that can reach up to 5 cm in diameter, accompanied by many long, branching lateral roots. These roots are also slightly rhizomatous, featuring horizontal underground stems capable of producing new shoots.

Reproduction & Dispersal By seed or vegetatively by rhizomes. Can spread by wind, water, or by wildlife, and has often been sold as a garden ornamental.

Seeds

Small easily scattered seeds are viable for 3 to 4 years and can be dispersed by wind, water, animals, hay, in soil and on equipment. 50,000 seeds can be produced per stem.

Preferred Habitat
Dry soil in roadsides, farm yards, pastures, cropland, and waste areas.

Interesting Facts
Besides absinthe, wormwood is used to flavor other spirits and wines, including vermouth. It's also known for its bitter taste, which can be a deterrent to insects and some animals.

Introduced in the early 19th century to be cultivated for medicinal uses

Native to Eurasia, the Middle East, and North Africa

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Quick Identification

Plants can grow 3-5 feet tall and up to 2 feet wide

Leaves are an olive-green color

When crushed, leaves release a strong, sage-like odor

Impact Wormwood reduces available forage in native pastures and will also taint the milk of cattle that graze on it.

Management Individual plants can be dug up. Larger patches can be mowed as close to the ground as possible. Herbicide treatments are also available for this species.

Flower Dull yellow, ¼ inch, button-like flower heads appear in loose clusters on the upper plant. They consist of tiny central disk flowers, do not have petals, and often droop, making them less visible.

Leaves & Stems The leaves are lacy with rounded tips and a fine covering of hairs, giving them a grey-green hue. They grow alternately along the stems. Stems are woody and branching.

Roots It has a thick central taproot that can reach up to 5 cm in diameter, accompanied by many long, branching lateral roots. These roots are also slightly rhizomatous, featuring horizontal underground stems capable of producing new shoots.

Reproduction & Dispersal By seed or vegetatively by rhizomes. Can spread by wind, water, or by wildlife, and has often been sold as a garden ornamental.

Seeds

Preferred Habitat Dry soil in roadsides, farm yards, pastures, cropland, and waste areas.

Interesting Facts Besides absinthe, wormwood is used to flavor other spirits and wines, including vermouth. It's also known for its bitter taste, which can be a deterrent to insects and some animals.

Wormwood
(Artemisia absinthium)

Impact
Wormwood reduces available forage in native pastures and will also taint the milk of cattle that graze on it.

Management
Individual plants can be dug up. Larger patches can be mowed as close to the ground as possible. Herbicide treatments are also available for this species.

Flower
Dull yellow, ¼ inch, button-like flower heads appear in loose clusters on the upper plant. They consist of tiny central disk flowers, do not have petals, and often droop, making them less visible.

Leaves & Stems
The leaves are lacy with rounded tips and a fine covering of hairs, giving them a grey-green hue. They grow alternately along the stems. Stems are woody and branching.

Roots
It has a thick central taproot that can reach up to 5 cm in diameter, accompanied by many long, branching lateral roots. These roots are also slightly rhizomatous, featuring horizontal underground stems capable of producing new shoots.

Preferred Habitat
Dry soil in roadsides, farm yards, pastures, cropland, and waste areas.

Interesting Facts
Besides absinthe, wormwood is used to flavor other spirits and wines, including vermouth. It's also known for its bitter taste, which can be a deterrent to insects and some animals.