artemisia variabilis

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wormwood \Worm"wood\, n. [AS. werm?d, akin to OHG. wermuota,
   wormuota, G. wermuth, wermut; of uncertain origin.]
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   1. (Bot.) A composite plant ({Artemisia Absinthium}), having
      a bitter and slightly aromatic taste, formerly used as a
      tonic and a vermifuge, and to protect woolen garments from
      moths. It gives the peculiar flavor to the cordial called
      absinthe. The volatile oil is a narcotic poison. The term
      is often extended to other species of the same genus.
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   2. Anything very bitter or grievous; bitterness.
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            Lest there should be among you a root that beareth
            gall and wormwood.                    --Deut. xxix.
                                                  18.
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   {Roman wormwood} (Bot.), an American weed ({Ambrosia
      artemisiaefolia}); hogweed.

   {Tree wormwood} (Bot.), a species of Artemisia (probably
      {Artemisia variabilis}) with woody stems.

   {Wormwood hare} (Zool.), a variety of the common hare ({Lepus
      timidus}); -- so named from its color.
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