British Plants and Flowers – Yarrow

Name – The Latin name of this plant, Achillea, relates to the hero Achilles, the warrior who was protected from hurt or wound in battle by being grasped by the ankle and immersed in herbal mix including yarrow, this, of course left his ankle unprotected – resulting in the famous Achilles heel. The reason for this is that the herb was used on the battlefield to staunch bleeding and so it became associated with a notable and almost invulnerable hero. The common name Yarrow is a corruption of the old Anglo-Saxon name gearwe. Because it has been used to make snuff and is sometimes called ‘Old Man’s Pepper’ especially in Holland. Witches and fairies were reputed to fly on yarrow stalks, possibly before broomsticks were invented!

Description – Yarrow flowers are creamy white or pink tinged, and the flower-heads can be four inches in diameter, made up of tiny florets, densely packed together. The leaves have a feathery appearance.

Origin - Yarrow is an undemanding plant that thrives in the poorest soil but does best in a sunny position with good drainage and light soil, but the plants are susceptible to disease in humid areas or if their roots are waterlogged. Yarrow is easily propagated from seed, by root division or from woody cuttings taken in autumn. Place the plants eighteen inches to two feet apart and divide the clumps when they become crowded. Taller cultivars may need to be staked, especially if grown in very fertile soil.

British plant yarrow photograph by jessicafm , used under a creative commons attribution licence

 

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