The genus Artemisia is in the sunflower family Asteraceae and there are over 200 species found around the world in the northern hemisphere. Well, there are a few oddballs that show up elsewhere, but mainly the northern hemisphere. In Arizona Artemisia dracunculus is one of the 14 species of Artemisia found in the wild.
Our native tarragon isn’t going to compete with the domesticated Old World cultivars in pungency, but I’m guessing one could start finding the more flavorful wild plants and come up with some nice selections…or not.
At our place I could be out on the land for along time looking for flavor among the kazillion plants. As the King of Tarragonia I’m thinking I will need some serfs…er, helpers to do the taste tests. Lemme know if that interests you. You’ll be working on the new flavorful borderlands tarragon called Little Dragon.
The photo is mine of new shoots coming from last year’s old stems. And thanks to my son in law Jared for reminding me that the plant really is tarragon. Really!
Growing plants and being involved in horticulture since 1980 meant knowing the USDA’s plant hardiness zones so I could jabber to folks knowingly (Ha!)...
The art is by Cicely Mary Barker. Friend Kat Armstrong sent it my way. Bless her heart. I had forgotten that fairies gather acorns...
There are five species of mistletoe found in Arizona and they all can be found somewhere in southern Arizona at various elevations and on...