Also known as southernwood and green ginger, wormwood is a perennial plant in the daisy family that is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa and now naturalized in the eastern US.

As you might guess from the herb’s species name, it is a component of the spirited beverage known as absinthe. The agent responsible for its flavor and heady effects is thujone, which is toxic in large dosages. While the culinary use of this herb is discouraged, wormwood is a component of traditional herbal bitters formulas.