Monographie du genre Artemisia L.
Résumé
The genus Artemisia L. (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) includes ca. 500 species distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. Species from this genus are commonly designated as sagebrush or wormwood. They are mainly herbaceous perennials with erect stems or lignified subshrubs. Sagebrushes are steppic plants, well adapted to arid climate, some species constituting entire landscapes in Asian and North American steppes. Artemisia species are particularly studied for their phytochemical diversity. The main traditionnal uses are related to their aromatic (A. dracunculus) and medicinal properties (e.g. A. absinthium, A. annua, A. vulgaris, A. herba-alba). The genus originated in Central Asia and then expanded and diversified in Asia as a whole. Secondary diversification occured in two main areas: The Euro-Mediterranean region and North America, colonized through the Bering Strait. The challenging taxonomy of this genus has been revised several times and is still evolving thanks to the most recent results in systematics. This monography focuses on biology, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, taxonomy, evolution, genetics and biogeography of the genus Artemisia.