Artemisia is a large, diverse genus of plants with between 200 and 400 species belonging to the asteraceae family . Common names for various species in the genus include mugwort, wormwood, and sage brush.
Artemisia comprises hardy herbaceous plants and shrubs, which are known for the powerful chemical constituents in their essential oils.Artemisia species grow in temperate climates of both hemispheres, usually in dry or semi-arid habitats. Notable species include A. vulgaris (common mugwort), A. tridentata (big sagebrush), A. annua (sagewort), A. absinthium (wormwood), A. dracunculus (tarragon), and A. abrotanum (southernwood). The leaves of many species are covered with white hairs.
Most species have strong aromas and bitter tastes from terpenoids and sesquiterpene lactones, which discourage herbivory, and may have had a selective advantage.The small flowers are wind-pollinated.