WORMWOOD—Common Wormwood, Absinthe, Artemisia absinth- 
ium. Family: Com positae. 
Uses: Dried leaves used as a moth repellent. The vola- 
tile oil is used to make the liqueur Absinthe and also 
in patent medicines. | 
DEscRIPTION: Downy, silvery, much-cut leaves are 
_ topped by loose panicles of yellow flower heads on 
three foot stems in late summer. Extremely bitter 
taste and musty smell are typical of the genus which 
includes the soft, silvery, Fringed Wormwood, A. fri- 
gida, the feathery, spreading Roman Wormwood, A. 
et MAU pontica, the low white-leaved Beach Wormwood, A. 
stelleriana, and the decorative Silver King, A. albula. 
Their silvery foliage is an arresting contrast to the greens and purples 
in the herb garden. 

CULTIVATION: Seed of Common Wormwood may be sown in the open 
in spring or fall. Thin seedlings to stand at least twelve inches apart. 
Prefers a clay soil in partial shade but thrives under almost any con- 
ditions. 
The above list of herbs for use and delight is necessarily brief and 
incomplete. There are many other cultivated and wild plants which 
may be included in the herb garden for their beauty and usefulness 
today or in the past. Ajuga, Lamium, Grey and Green Santolina are 
valuable for ground cover and edgings. Lemon Verbena, Dittany of 
Crete, Roses, Heliotrope, scented Pelargoniums, Clove Pinks and Sweet 
Flag belong in the fragrant garden. In a bed of Simples there should 
be room for Aconite, Boneset, Calendula, Foxglove, Hollyhock, Joe- 
pye-weed, Primrose, Rapid Celandine, Sweet Maudlin and Yarrow. 
Among the pot herbs should be found Chicory, Comfrey, Good King 
Henry, Horseradish, Leeks, Rampion and Samphire. 
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