Artemisia absinthium
Is an evergreen shrub, gray stem with a thin fuzz that grows up to a meter and a half.
The leaves are gray and the yellow flowers grow in small groups in the upper ends of the branches, from July to September.
The wormwood plant can be easily grown by sowing. Spread the seeds on the surface of the earth and when they germinate - and after the time of dews transplant them in open air. Plant the shoots with a distance of 1 to 2 meters apart.
Their stakes root easily, it is undemanding in soil and water.
Some species "hibernate" during the summer and germinate again when cooler temperatures return.
It should not be planted near anise, beans, caraway, fennel, peas and salvia.
The name of this plant is present in many ancient scriptures: Egyptian, Roman and Christian.
It is sometimes called "poison" and "herb with medical value" too. Its Latin name, Artemisa absinthium, was given in honor of Artemis, the goddess of hunt in Greek mythology.
The intense bitter, tonic and stimulating qualities have made wormwood plant not only an ingredient for traditional medicinal preparations, but also for various liquors, which absinthe is the most popular. This liquor was widely used throughout the ages, especially in the nineteenth century by painters, writers and others who would be influenced by hallucinogenic properties of this drink, though banned in a number of European countries. It is common however the commercialization of its extract, often consumed in modern flaming drinks.
There is a very simple recipe for a biological insecticide to do, by pruning the plant, which anyone can use at home to combat aphids, whitefly, spider mite, fleas, moths and even flies.
Should prune the shrub, removing about 9 kilograms of fresh leaves for 1 liter of water, soak it in a plastic container and cover. After leaving to stand for about 3 weeks, strain the prepared and mix a part with a portion of fresh water (ex: 2,5 liters of the prepared mixed with 2.5 liters of water) and finally spray the attacked plants, coops or other domestic animals facilities. It can also be used as infusion for spraying attacked species by the pest "ALTICA", that attacks turnips, horseradish, radishes and cabbage. Larvae make small round holes in young leaves, leaving them lacy. Larvae are black and hibernate under the ground, feeding themselves of shoots. In adulthood appear as bluish and hopping insects. Before its toxicity is known, this plant was once used in medicines for people and animals.
Is a very typical seasoning in French cuisine.
