Artemisia pontica (Roman Wormwood) – 1543 Leonhart Fuchs

This fine and detailed illustration of Artemisia pontica , also known as Roman Wormwood, comes from Leonhart Fuchs' landmark work New Kreüterbuch from 1543 – one of the most influential botanical works of the European Renaissance.

Roman wormwood is closely related to the more familiar Artemisia absinthium , but differs in its smaller stature and finer, more quartered leaves. The plant's aroma is strong and bitter, and it has historically been used in both medicine and spirits - particularly as an ingredient in vermouth and absinthe.

In traditional herbal medicine, Artemisia pontica was used as a digestive and anthelmintic, as well as for liver and gallbladder problems. In folk medicine, it was considered to strengthen immunity and cleanse the body.

The illustration has been recreated with careful respect for the lines of the original. It is ideal as decorative wall art for herbalists, collectors, historians or anyone with a love of plants and science from the 16th century.