Absinth Wormwood

Absinth wormwood is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (aster/daisy) family. It produces branched stems that may reach 1 to 5 feet tall. Stems may be gray-green to olive green and sometimes woody. Leaves are 2 to 5 inches long, bi- or tri-pinnately divided, and spiral around the stem. Leaves are light to olive green in color on the upper leaf surface and white on the lower leaf surface. Leaves are covered in fine hairs. Absinth wormwood flowers from mid to late summer. Flowers are yellow and inconspicuous occurring in small clusters in the leaf node on the upper parts of stems. Flower clusters are ⅛ inch wide, disc-shaped, and droop from the stem. Absinth wormwood has large taproot as well as lateral roots and rhizomes. Seeds are similar in shape to sunflower seeds but much smaller (1/16th inch or less).

Absinth wormwood produces a strong odor, similar to the herb sage, when crushed.

Absinth wormwood is native to Eurasia and was introduced to North America as an ornamental and medicinal plant with early colonists. It is a prolific seed producer but may also spread through rhizomes. It is frequently found in disturbed sites, landscaping, and forested areas adjacent to previous disturbances.

Prevention and cultural control strategies should be utilized as much as possible.

There are no biological control agents available for absinth wormwood at this time.

Hand pulling and digging out of the taproot and lateral roots can be effective if the soil is moist.  Repeated mowing prior to seed production can deplete the root system. Grazing is not recommended for managing absinth wormwood.

Plants with large roots and dense infestations can be controlled with herbicides. Fall treatments are effective at killing the root stock, but treatment of plants prior to flower will prevent seed production. Read the label before using any herbicide. Contact TCWP if you have any questions about application rates or how to use an herbicide.

This species is not actively managed through TCWP programs, but additional information on managing this species is available upon request.

• Absinth wormwood identification and control. King County Noxious Weed Control Board.
• Absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.): Rangeland, pasture, and riparian site recommendations. (2015) Colorado Department of Agriculture.
• Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
• Cropwatch: Absinth wormwood - new invasive species in Nebraska Panhandle (2017) Stone, G., and Paul, K. University of Nebraska - Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
• Absinth Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.
• Treatment Options: Absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) (2013) DiTomaso, J.M., Kyser, G.B., et al. Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States. University of California Weed Research and Information Center.