Artemisia Afra (African Wormwood) 19cm

Known as African wormwood or sagewood - Artemisia afra - is a highly aromatic plant also known as wildeals (Afrikaans), umhlonyane (Xhosa), umhlonyane (Zulu) and lengana in Tswana. There are about 400 species of Artemisia worldwide, many used medicinally but A. afra is the only indigenous species in this genus.

Artemisia is common in South Africa and has a geographical wide distribution. The attractive shrub is a popular garden plant and is tough and easy to grow. It recognised by its feathery grey foliage and sticky sweet smell when touched or cut. It grows in thick bushy clumps from 0.5 to 2 m high. Propagation is done by cuttings, division or seeds sown in spring or summer. Artemisia prefers well-drained soil, full sun and reacts well to heavy pruning.

Used for its multitude of medicinal properties artemisia helps in the treatment of malaria, headaches, intestinals worms and increasing the appetite. Heating the leaves and inhaling the vapors helps clear the respiratory tract, thus treating the common cold, cough, sore throat, influenza and asthma.