RUSSIAN TARRAGON SEEDS

Artemisia dracunculus

TRUE FRENCH TARRAGON CANNOT BE GROWN FROM SEED! PLEASE PURCHASE FRENCH TARRAGON PLANTS FROM A REPUTABLE NURSERY!

Estragon. The wild tarragon from which the more familiar French tarragon (var. sativa) was bred or selected. The true French tarragon must be propagated by cuttings. These seeds produce plants that only rarely possess culinary value, but all plants will have the peculiar anesthetic qualities that are better appreciated in Spilanthes.

Known in ancient history and lore as Dragon Wort and employed in the treatment of snake bite, the traditional theraputic uses of this species are seen by modern herbalists as suspect at best. Some compendiums of Native American medicinals list this species, but the connection between the plants we know today as A. dracunculus and the uses described is tenuous. Artemisia as a genus is massive and convoluted and taxonomists cannot be trusted.

French tarragon is rich in estragole, which gives it the charactaristic anise flavor, but Russian tarragon contains a broader spectrum of compounds, including sabinene, which gives black pepper its spicy flavor, and elemicin, which contributes to the flavor and fragrance of nutmeg, and mace especially, and is used to synthesize mescaline.

Seeds should be pressed into the surface of moist soil. Mist carefully and cover with plastic to maintain moisture. Kept warm (around 70°F) in bright light seeds will germinate within a week or two. Prick out seedlings with several leaves to grow on in individual 3" pots in bright light at room temperature. The plants require minimal fertility and very little water to thrive. Pot up into larger containers as necessary.

In the garden these plants are hardy and weedy and can spread aggressively. We highly recommend growing these plants in containers. Please do not sow these seeds with the expectation that any one of the subsequent plants will taste like true French tarragon because that will not happen. Most seeds available to gardeners are misrepresented as having the same or similar culinary value as French tarragon and this is an absolute lie. Our seeds are from plants grown for pharmacological use in Europe. We make them available to the curious gardener and do not recommend growing these plants for culinary purposes, although they are certainly edible and safe to ingest for whatever purpose. Like mint and other fragrant herbs, snipped sprigs of these plants can be strewn about the Brassica bed to ward off pests, although the dried leaves lose their fragrance very quickly. The dried herb has virtually no value. Some sources suggest the dried plant can be used for wreaths and other floral crafts, but Artemisia annua is far superior.

Do not allow these plants to set seed! They may self-sow and become a nuissance. Plant mindfully.

Packet contains around 300 seeds.