Artemisia dracunculus
| Artemisia dracunculus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Artemisia dracunculus (common name: tarragon)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. Fertile seed is rarely produced from this plant - most if not all seed supplied under this name is of the inferior form, Russian tarragon (A. dracunculoides). Therefore, it is best to only propagate by division.
Division is very easy in spring or autumn[K]. The divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we prefer to pot them up first and grow them on in a cold frame until they have rooted well.
Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest young shoots about 10 - 15c long and pot them up in a lightly shaded place in a greenhouse or cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions when well rooted. A very quick and easy method of propagation[K].
Cultivation: Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a warm sunny dry position[1][2][3][][4]. Plants are not very long-lived when grown in clay soils[5]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[6]. Established plants are drought tolerant[5][4]. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.5 to 7.8.
Plants are relatively hardy in Britain, but can be killed in wet winters. It is best to grow tarragon in a dry, rather poor soil since this will produce hardier plants[7]. The dry soil will also help to reduce predation by slugs, these creatures are very fond of the young growth and have been known to completely destroy even well-established plants[K]. When well suited, the plants can spread freely at the roots[K].
The flowers do not open in cool summers and viable seed is seldom produced[8].
Often grown in the herb garden, tarragon is also sometimes grown commercially for its edible leaves which are used mainly as a flavouring[9]. There is at least one named variety, 'Epicure' is a new fragrant cultivar[10].
There is a closely related species, A. dracunculoides or Russian tarragon, which is quite inferior in flavour, though sometimes supplied under this name.
A good companion for most plants, especially aubergines and sweet peppers[11].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[12].
Range: S. Europe to W. Asia.
Habitat: By rivers and streams[13]. Grassland and arid steppe.
Edibility: Leaves - raw or used as a flavouring in soups etc[14][7][15][16][2]. Tarragon is a commonly used herbal flavouring that is used in many traditional recipes[13]. It is particularly of value because of its beneficial effect upon the digestion and so is often used with oily foods[13]. The leaves can also be harvested in late summer and dried for later use[7]. The aromatic leaves have a very nice flavour that is somewhat liquorice-like[10][K]. They make an excellent flavouring in salads[K]. The young shoots can also be cooked and used as a potherb[10]. The leaves are used as a flavouring in vinegar[7].
An essential oil from the leaves is used as a flavouring[17].
Medicinal: Tarragon is a bitter warming aromatic herb that stimulates the digestive system and uterus, lowers fevers and destroys intestinal worms[8]. It is little used in modern herbalism, though it is sometimes employed as an appetizer[18].
The leaves (and an essential oil obtained from them) are antiscorbutic, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypnotic and stomachic[16][19][20][8]. An infusion is used in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence, nausea, hiccups etc[13]. The plant is mildly sedative and has been taken to aid sleep[21]. It also has mild emmenagogue properties and can be used to induce a delayed period[21]. A poultice can be used to relieve rheumatism, gout, arthritis and toothache[13]. The plant is harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[8]. This herb should not be prescribed for pregnant women[8].
The root has been used to cure toothache[7].
The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to treat digestive and menstrual problems[8].
Usage: The leaves contain about 0.3% essential oil, about 70% of which is methyl chivacol[22]. This is used as a food flavouring, in detergents and also medicinally[17][8].
Both the growing and the dried plant repels insects[23].
Pollinators: Wind
Notes: We could supply this in the next catalogue.
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people[24].
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thompson, Robert. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son, 1878.
- ↑ Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Stuart, Malcolm. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Orbis Publishing, 1979.
- ↑ Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.
- ↑ Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Turner, Nancy. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum, 1979.
- ↑ Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.