Southernwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southernwood |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Artemisia
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abrotanum
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Artemisia abrotanum, often called southernwood, lad's love, or southern wormwood, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the sunflower family, which includes many well-known plants. This plant originally comes from Eurasia and Africa. However, it has spread and now grows naturally in different parts of North America.
Southernwood has a very strong, fresh smell, a bit like camphor. Because of its scent, people used to use it as an air freshener. They would even scatter it on floors to make rooms smell nice. It grows into a small, bushy shrub. Gardeners often grow it because it's easy to care for. Its leaves are grey-green, small, narrow, and look feathery. The flowers are tiny and yellow. You can easily grow new southernwood plants from cuttings or by dividing its roots.
This plant is quite special! It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This award means it's an excellent plant for gardens.
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What Is Southernwood Used For?
Southernwood has many interesting uses, both old and new.
Dye and Moth Repellent
You can get a yellow dye from the branches of this plant. This dye is often used to color wool. Its dried leaves are also great for keeping moths away from clothes. The strong, sharp scent comes from special oils in the leaves. This scent helps to keep moths and other insects away.
Long ago, people would put sprays of southernwood among their clothes. They would also hang them in closets. This is why one of its French names is "garderobe," which means "clothes-preserver."
Historical Uses
In the past, judges sometimes carried small bunches of southernwood and rue. They believed this would protect them from diseases that prisoners might have. Some people even used the herb's strong smell to help them stay awake during long church sermons!
Culinary and Medicinal Uses
The leaves and flowers have a strong, unique smell and taste. They are sometimes used in herbal teas. Young southernwood shoots were also used to add flavor to pastries and puddings. In Italy, it is still used as a cooking herb.
In some traditional medicine practices, especially in East and North Bosnia and Herzegovina, parts of the southernwood plant were used. They were thought to help with jaundice, a condition that makes skin and eyes look yellow.
Southernwood in Culture
The famous poet Edward Thomas (1878 – 1917) wrote a poem about this herb. It was called "Old Man or Lad's Love," which are other names for southernwood. The ancient Chinese Book of Rites also mentions southernwood. It was used in special ceremonies and sacrifices.
Is Southernwood Safe?
It's important to know that all parts of the southernwood plant that grow above the ground can be harmful to humans if eaten. This is because they contain certain natural substances called bicyclic monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids. So, it's best not to eat this plant.
