Balizhou Artemisia selengensis

Balizhou Artemisia selengensis

Balizhou Artemisia selengensis is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Balizhou Artemisia selengensis is a specialty of Balizhou Subdistrict, Qixia District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. Nowadays, Balizhou has earned the reputation of being the "Hometown of Artemisia selengensis in China."

　　Qixia District covers an area of over 380 square kilometers, with a population of less than 400,000, yet its perennial vegetable cultivation area is quite substantial, reaching more than 80,000 mu. Among Qixia’s vegetable industry, Balizhou Artemisia selengensis is the most famous. Surrounded by the Yangtze River on all sides, Balizhou has no pollution-emitting industries, and its climate conditions are highly suitable for the growth of wild vegetables such as Artemisia selengensis.

　　Since the 1980s, Balizhou has started cultivating Artemisia selengensis. By 2003, the cultivation area had reached 35,000 mu, with an annual output of over 50 million kilograms, sold to more than 50 large and medium-sized cities across the country. In recent years, as people have pursued more green foods and the consumption of wild vegetables has become fashionable, driven by market demand, Balizhou Artemisia selengensis has continued to develop. Its annual output value has exceeded 200 million yuan, making it a prosperous and stabilizing industry for the local residents of Balizhou.

　　Artemisia selengensis, also known as Artemisia selengensis, water mugwort, or fragrant wormwood, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family and Artemisia genus. This once common riverside wild grass has evolved in Balizhou into a series of food products, including stir-fried Artemisia selengensis, dried Artemisia selengensis, Artemisia selengensis tea, Artemisia selengensis wine, and pickled Artemisia selengensis side dishes, becoming a notable brand in the local agricultural and rural economy.