Artemisia pontica, the Roman wormwood or small absinthe, is an herb used in the production of absinthe and vermouth. Originating in southeastern Europe (the specific name refers to the Pontus area on the shores of the Black SeaArchibald William Smith ), it is naturalized over much of Eurasia from France to Xinjiang, and is also found in the wild in northeastern North America.Flora of China Vol. 20-21 Page 687 西北蒿 xi bei hao Artemisia pontica Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 847. 1753.Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution mapAltervista Flora Italiana, Assenzio del Ponto, Artemisia pontica L. includes photos and European distribution map
Artemisia pontica is called "little absinthe" because it is smaller in stature and leaf than the "great absinthe" A. absinthium. It grows as a rhizomatous perennial with erect stems up to tall; the grey foliage is finely divided and aromatic. Flowers are small, yellowish, and appear in loose panicles at stem tips.Flora of North America Vol. 19, 20 and 21 Page 531 Roman wormwood, green-ginger, armoise de la mer Noire Artemisia pontica Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 847. 1753.
The essential oil contains cineol, camphor, thujone, and borneol among other components.Chemistry of Natural Compounds 3-2005, Volume 41, Issue 2, pp 178-181 Components of Artemisia pontica. N. A. Talzhanov, D. T. Sadyrbekov, F. M. Smagulova, R. M. Mukanov, V. A. Raldugin, M. M. Shakirov, A. V. Tkachev, G. A. Atazhanova, B. I. Tuleuov, S. M. Adekenov It is said to be less bitter than great absinthe and is the principal flavoring of vermouth. It is commercially cultivated in Spain and Lithuania.Botanical Museum, Helsinki, Finland, distribution map for Artemisia pontica in Europe and Algeria
The English botanist John Hill, in his Virtues of British Herbs, says about this plant: "The Wormwood wine so famous with the Germans, is made with Roman Wormwood, put into the juice, and work’d with it : it is a strong and an excellent wine, not unpleasant, yet of such efficacy to give an appetite, that the Germans drink a glass with every other mouthful, and that way eat for hours together, without sickness or indigestion".
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