Achillea ageratifolia | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Achillea |
Species: | A. ageratifolia
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Binomial name | |
Achillea ageratifolia | |
Synonyms [3] | |
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Achillea ageratifolia, the Balkan yarrow or Greek yarrow, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to Bulgaria and Greece. Growing to 20 cm (7.9 in) tall and broad, it is a compact herbaceous perennial. It is a highly variable species, with three recognized subspecies. They have erect, simple, somewhat woody based stems. [4] The narrow grey-green foliage resembles that of a related genus Ageratum, hence the Latin specific epithet ageratifolia. [5] The solitary, daisy-like composite flower heads are white with yellow centres and about 2–3 cm across. [6] They appear May–July in the northern hemisphere. [7]
In cultivation in the UK, this plant has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. [8] An adaptable plant, it prefers a sunny, open position. It is hardy down to -10 to -15 degrees C. [7] It is also drought tolerant and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3–8. [9] Common problems include aphids and downy mildew. [10]
It was first described in 1813 as Anthemis ageratifolia by James Edward Smith in Florae Graecae, [1] [11] but was transferred to the genus Achillea by George Bentham & Joseph Hooker in 1873. [1] [2] The genus name refers to the Ancient Greek hero Achilles, who is said to have used yarrow leaves to stop his soldiers' wounds from bleeding. [9]