Achillea

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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. 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:

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• Achillea 'Coronation Gold'<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea 'Credo' <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold' <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea filipendulina 'Gold Plate' <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea 'Heidi' <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea 'Hella Glashoff' <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea 'Lachsschönheit' (Galaxy Series) <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea × lewisii 'King Edward'<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea 'Lucky Break' <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea 'Martina'<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea millefolium 'Lansdorferglut' <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea 'Mondpagode'<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea 'Moonshine' <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Achillea 'Summerwine'<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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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

• Achillea asplenifolia1.jpg

  Achillea asplenifolia

• Achilleamillefolium2web.jpg

  Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

• Achillea clavenae0.jpg

  Silvery Yarrow (Achillea clavenae)

• Achillea ageratum corimbo.jpg

  Sweet Yarrow (Achillea ageratum)

• Achillea filipendula detalle corimbo.jpg

  Fernleaf Yarrow (Achillea filipendula)

• Achillea millefolium (52354).jpg

  Macro image of Yarrow in Sweden

• Achillea sp. fum (13).jpg

  Yarrow inflorescence at seed maturity

• Achillea sp. fum (14).jpg

  Yarrow inflorescence at seed maturity

• Achillea sp. fum (19).jpg

  Yarrow inflorescence after seed fall

• Achillea sp. fum (12).jpg

  Natural growing of Achilleas