Genepy (Artemisia glacialis)
Artemisia glacialis is a plant naturally growing in the Alps at an altitude of over 2.000 - 2.500 meters. It is included in the "Artemisia" family, a large, diverse genus of plants with more than 200 species belonging to the daisy family Asteraceae.
Artemisia genipì and Artemisia mutellina are two of the most acclaimed species used for the production of Genepì, an herbal liqueur or aperitif. Artemisia genipì, also known as black Genepì, is a hairy perennial plant, of a silky grey colour, about 20 cm high, with aromatic characteristics in all its parts, in particular in its seeds. Flowering takes place from July to September. Artemisia mutellina, or white Genepì, is a tufted perennial plant, of a silky white color, average height 15 cm, with a pleasant aromatic fragrance. Can be recognized by the many flower stems: the central vertical ones, and the peripheral ones bent downwards.
Both species spontaneously grow at very high altitudes and in places very difficult to reach, on the Piedmont Alps, between rock crevices, rubbles and gravels.
Since the 60s, local mountain dwellers started to cultivate varieties of Artemisia mutellina at higher altitudes, due to the difficulty in reaching the places where the plant grew naturally, besides the prohibition or restriction of the collection.
These people have now acquired a real qualification in growing this species, which takes time and long-term efforts. Flowers of Artemisia are dried and used for the production of a liqueur of the same name, mountain symbol par excellence, which has healing and invigorating properties.
