Achillea ptarmica is a Eurasian species of herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the genus Achillea. Common names include the sneezewort, sneezeweed, bastard pellitory, European pellitory, fair-maid-of-France, goose tongue, sneezewort yarrow, wild pellitory, and white tansy.[2]
Sneezewort | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Achillea |
Species: | A. ptarmica
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Binomial name | |
Achillea ptarmica | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Synonymy
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Description
editAchillea ptarmica has loose clusters of showy white composite flower heads that bloom from June to August. Its dark green leaves have finely toothed margins. Like many other plants, the sneezewort's pattern of development displays the Fibonacci sequence.[3]
Etymology
editThe name ptarmica comes from the Greek word ptairo (=sneeze) and means 'causes sneezing'.
Distribution and habitat
editIt is native to Europe and western Asia.[4] It is widespread across most of Europe and naturalized in scattered places in North America.[5][6][7][8]
Uses
editThe leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are used as an insect repellent. The plant yields an essential oil that is used in herbal medicine.[9][10] When chewed, the plant produces a numbing, tingling effect in the mouth, comparable to that of Sichuan pepper. For this reason, it is sometimes used in herbal medicine to relieve toothache or ulcers, and as a culinary herb.[11][12]
Cultivation
editThis is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that prefers full sun and moist but well-drained soil. Propagation is by sowing seed or division in Spring.[13][14] It will tolerate hot, humid summers, and drought.[4]
References
edit- ^ The Plant List, Achillea ptarmica L.
- ^ "Achillea ptarmica (ACHPT)". EPPO Global Database. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ Jill Britton (7 May 2005). "Fibonacci Numbers in Nature". Archived from the original on 5 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Achillea ptarmica (The Pearl Group) - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ^ Altervista Flora Italiana, Millefoglio palustre, Sneezewort, Achillea ptarmica L. includes photos and European distribution map
- ^ Flora of North America Vol. 19, 20 and 21 Page 494 Sneezeweed, sneezewort, achillée ptarmique, herbe-à-éternuer Achillea ptarmica Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 898. 1753.
- ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- ^ The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- ^ "Temperate Plants Database, Achillea ptarmica". 2020.
- ^ "Plants for a Future, Achillea ptarmica". 2005.
- ^ "Wild Spices of the UK – Galloway Wild Foods".
- ^ "SNEEZEWORT: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews".
- ^ Bailey, L. H. (2005). Manual of Gardening (Second ed.). Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
- ^ Wood, John (2006). Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.