Artemisia capillaris aka Wormwood

Artemisia capillaris is a perennial in the aster family. Gardeners also call it capillary wormwood or Yin Chen Hao. Its native range spans much of Asia, from Pakistan to Japan. Records also place it in China, Korea, Mongolia, and the Philippines. It grows in grassy thickets, beside rivers, and near shores. In China, it also grows on hills, slopes, and roadsides.

The plant forms a low mound with many branches. Its stems turn woody near the base, giving it a shrubby form. Garden plants reach about 1–1.5 feet [0.30–0.46 metres] tall. Their spread ranges from 1–2 feet [0.30–0.61 metres]. Other accounts report heights reaching 3.3 feet [1 metre]. The leaves are finely cut, grey-green, and scented. Useful Tropical Plants describes the foliage as deciduous. The pale leaves contrast with green plants and bright flowers. Borders and herb gardens suit this small, woody-based perennial.

Small flower heads appear at the stem tips in branched clusters. They are yellowish white and lack ray florets. Missouri Botanical Garden lists flowering from August to September. The blooms add little colour compared with the leaves. Wind carries the pollen. The name capillaris refers to the plant's thin, hairlike form. Gardeners grow it chiefly for its leaf shape and colour.

Give this plant full sun and soil that drains well. Poor to moderately rich soil suits it. It accepts dry to moderately moist ground. Established plants tolerate drought, and dry soil can help them live longer. Loam with near-neutral to slightly alkaline pH also suits it. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 5–8. Wet soil raises the risk of root rot. That garden has not yet documented its other local problems. Its species entry lists resistance to deer and rabbits. Grow new plants from seed, cuttings, or division. Sow seeds on the surface from late winter into early summer.

Sources record food use of the leaves and stems after soaking and boiling. Plants For A Future gives it a low food-use rating. Chinese herbal medicine has used Yin Chen Hao for over 2,000 years. Traditional uses focus on liver complaints and fever. People gather wild plants for local use and trade. These records do not establish safe doses or treatment outcomes. The sources report no known toxicity cases for this species. That absence does not prove that every use is safe.