Artemisia Absinthium-----Family, Composite. Color, yellow.

Heads of flowers roundish, in panicles. Leaves, twice or thrice-divided into narrow lobes, 2 to 5 inches long, long-petioled below, the upper ones sessile or with short petioles. July to September.

A somewhat shrubby plant, escaped from old gardens, where it is still cultivated for its supposed remedial virtues. Southernwood is a member of this genus, a favorite plant in gardens on account of its sweet-scented, finely cut leaves, wilting as soon as plucked.

The leaves and flowers of this plant form the principal ingredients of the famous drink absinthe, so much used in France. Mixed with other plants, they are pounded, then macerated with alcohol, allowed to stand for eight days, then distilled.