Question

Santonin is obtained from

• A. Artemisia vulgaris
• B. Lactuca sativa
• C. Tagetes patula
• D. Vernonia cinerea

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Artemisia vulgaris is one of several species in the genus Artemisia commonly known as mugwort, although Artemisia vulgaris is the species most often called mugwort. This species is also occasionally known as felon herb, chrysanthemum weed, wild wormwood. It is native to temperate Europe, Asia, northern Africa and Alaska and is naturalized in North America, where some consider it an invasive weed.

It is a very common plant growing on nitrogenous soils, like weedy and uncultivated areas, such as waste places and roadsides.
Artemisia vulgaris contains the toxic lactone, santonin, which was formerly used as an antihelminthic drug, but has now been suspected by other less toxic compounds.