Common Wormwood.
Artemesia absynthium.
This species, everywhere common to gardens in this country, is a native of Great Britain. It is a hardy, perennial, shrubby plant, two or three feet in height. The leaves are deeply cut, or divided, pale-green above, and hoary beneath; the flowers are small, numerous, pale-yellow; the seeds are quite small, and retain their powers of germination two years.
The leaves, when bruised, have a strong, somewhat pungent, yet aromatic odor, and are proverbial for their intense bitterness.
Roman Wormwood.
Artemesia pontica.
This species somewhat resembles the foregoing: but the roots are smaller, less woody, and more fibrous, and the stalks are shorter, and more slender; the leaves are smaller, more finely cut, or divided, pale-green above, and hoary on the under surface, like those of the Common Wormwood; the flowers, which are produced on the upper branches, are small, and of a pale-yellow color; seeds similar to those of the above species, retaining their vitality two years.
It is generally preferred to the Common Wormwood for medicinal purposes, as the taste is more agreeable, and its odor less pungent.
Sea Wormwood.
Artemesia maritima.