Achillea
Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Automatic taxobox
Achillea Template:IPAc-en<ref>Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607</ref> is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. The plants typically have frilly leaves and are known colloquially as yarrows, although this common name usually refers to A. millefolium. The genus was named after the Greek mythological character Achilles, whose soldiers were said to have used yarrow to treat their wounds;<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> this is reflected by common names such as allheal and bloodwort. The genus is native primarily to Eurasia and North America.
Description
These plants typically have frilly, hairy, aromatic leaves. The plants show large, flat clusters of small flowers at the top of the stem. The flowers can be white, yellow, orange, pink or red and are generally visited by many insects, and are thus characterised by a generalised pollination system.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Taxonomy
Carl Linnaeus described the genus in 1753.<ref>Linnaeus, Carl von. 1753. Species Plantarum 2: 896–897. in Latin</ref><ref>Tropicos, Achillea L.</ref> The common name "yarrow" is usually applied to Achillea millefolium,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> but may also be used for other species within the genus.
Selected species
Nearly 1,000 names have been published within the genus Achillea, at or below the level of species. Sources differ widely as to which should be recognized as species, which merit subspecies or variety status, and which ones are merely synonyms of better-established names.<ref name="Mehdiyeva-2024">Template:Citation</ref> For convenience, the Plant List maintained by the Kew Botanic Gardens is followed.<ref>The Plant List search for Achillea</ref>
Cultivars
The following cultivars are recipients of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:
- Achillea ageratifolia<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Coronation Gold'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Credo' <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold' <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea filipendulina 'Gold Plate' <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Heidi' <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Hella Glashoff' <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Lachsschönheit' (Galaxy Series) <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea × lewisii 'King Edward'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Lucky Break' <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Martina'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea millefolium 'Lansdorferglut' <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Mondpagode'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Moonshine' <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Achillea 'Summerwine'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Etymology
The genus was named after the Greek mythological character Achilles. According to legend, Achilles' soldiers used yarrow to treat their wounds,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> hence some of its common names such as allheal and bloodwort.
Distribution and habitat
The genus is primarily native to Europe, temperate areas of Asia, and North America.<ref>Flora of North America Achillea Linnaeus</ref><ref>Flora of China Vol. 20-21 Page 759 蓍属 shi shu Achillea Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 896. 1753. </ref>
Ecology
Achillea species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species.
Uses
Achillea species and cultivars are popular garden plants.
Gallery
-
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
-
Silvery Yarrow (Achillea clavenae)
-
Sweet Yarrow (Achillea ageratum)
-
Fernleaf Yarrow (Achillea filipendula)
-
Macro image of Yarrow in Sweden
-
Yarrow inflorescence at seed maturity
-
Yarrow inflorescence at seed maturity
-
Yarrow inflorescence after seed fall
-
Natural growing of Achilleas