Artemesia afra

Click on an image to enlarge it.

Botanical Name

Artemesia afra

Family

Asteraceae - The daisy family.

Pronunciation

ar-tem-EE-zsah AF-ruh

Common Name(s)

African wormwood; wilde-als; umhlonyane (Xhosa); mhlonyane (Zulu); lengana (Tswana); zengana (S. Sotho)

Plant Group

Perennial A plant whose life cycle lasts for three or more seasons.
Shrub A woody plant of relatively low height, having several stems arising from the base and lacking a single trunk; a bush.

Plant Size

Medium

Tree 10m to 16m

Shrub 1m to 2m

Perennial/ground cover 40cm to 60cm

Bulb 40cm to 60cm

Succulent 40cm to 60cm

Position

Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Drought Tolerance: Medium The plant is moderately adapted to arid conditions and can survive short periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
Fragrant / Aromatic These plants posses a strong, usually pleasant odour.
Frost: Half-hardy The plant is able to survive low temperatures and some frost but requires protection against severe frost.
Prune hard after flowering Fast growing shrubs that grow lanky within a season. Cut off branches and stems of these plants to a third of their original length. This will increase the yield of flowers, improve the plants shape and enhance the structural strength of main branches.
Water Moderate These plants will need some extra watering compared to water-wise plants. Plant them together, in at least some shade and in a convenient proximity to the house so that grey water can be utilised during times of drought.
Wind Tolerant Plants able to withstand the effect of strong winds.

Specific Information

This tough and easy-to-grow species adds texture and colour with its finely divided, silver-grey foliage.

Flowers

Description

small, crowded at ends of branches

Season

Autumn Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

cream

Growth Rate

Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Attracts bees and other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
Border A strip of ground, at the edge of a driveway or path in which ornamental plants or shrubs are planted.
Filler Either a fast growing tree or shrub used temporarily to fill in an area while the permanent plants grow to a desired size, or a plant used to fill gaps in borders or beds.
Foliage Plant Plants grown because their foliage is colorful or unique. Many of these plants have insignificant flowers.
Pioneer for new gardens A very fast growing plant, able to withstand hardship, that can be used to populate land that has recently been cleared of natural vegetation. These plants pave the way for slower-growing species by adding nutrients to the soil and creating leaf litter.
Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
Suitable for smaller gardens Such plants do not have invasive root systems, remain small or controllable and can often be grown in containers.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Ad Break

Distribution

Cederberg Mountains in the Cape, to tropical East Africa and Ethiopia.

Planting Suggestions

Artemesia will tolerate most soil types. Mulch to retain moisture around the roots.
Grow with Leonotus varieties for an interesting effect.

Medicinal Uses

Wilde-als is one of the oldest known medicinal plants. It is much used for coughs, colds, earache, worms, fever, loss of appetite, colic and headache. Fresh leaves inserted into the nostrils will clear blocked nasal passages and leaves placed in socks are said to be a remedy for sweaty feet. The roots, stems and leaves are used in enemas, poultices, infusions, body washes, lotions, smoked, snuffed or drunk as a bitter tea.

Availability