Artemisia absinthium, known as wormwood, is a hardy, fragrant perennial that grows to heights of 2 to 4 feet (.6 to 1.2 meters). Wormwood is native to Europe but has been widely naturalized in North America. Absinthe, a liquor, is distilled and flavored using this plant. The plant was banned in the United States in the early 1900s because it was considered habit forming and hazardous to one’s health, but it is now easily found in most herb nurseries.