Wormwood is a plant that gives off strong odors and has an extremely bitter taste. There are various species (kinds) of wormwood. One commercially important species is absinthe wormwood, sometimes called common wormwood. It is a perennial plant native to temperate areas of Europe and North Africa. Absinthe wormwood supplies an essential oil used in the manufacture of absinthe, a type of alcoholic beverage, and medicine. Another important species is mugwort, sometimes also called common wormwood. Mugwort is often used for seasoning and medicinal purposes. It is a perennial plant native to many temperate parts of Eurasia. Mugwort is sometimes considered an invasive species in North America.
