French v Russian?

I fell into a discussion with a GC person. When I said I was after tarragon, she said they had French, grown from seed.
I begged to differ, saying French is not true from seed.
'Well', she said', 'we've grown it.'
'But is it French or Russian?', I asked.
I left without buying any.
Please, can anybody confirm - can you grow French from seed?

 

No

It's best propagated by root cuttings which are very easy

PS - of course it does beg the question of how the very first French Tarragon plant appeared

 

From Russian.... Pinched by the French!

 

French tarragon produces seed so very rarely that it is propagated by root cuttings and it's easy too. Russian tarragon has a very inferior flavour.

Funnily enough I can't always get fresh tarragon here when I want it so now have 2 plants growing and freeze the chopped leaves in ice cubes or make tarragon butter. It's essential for my medieval style salmon in pastry with tarragon cream sauce (Joyce Molyneux) and for some chicken dishes, especially Delia's chicken with tarragon and sherry vinegar.