Achillea millefolium - Yarrow (Asteraceae)

Yarrow Yarrow is sometimes mistaken for one of the umbelifers (Apiaceae); in fact it is a member of the daisy family, Asteraceae. The plants can be up to a metre tall.

Yarrow blooms from June until October, and is to be found mainly on drier slopes and meadows as well as many roadside verges. Most yarrow flowers are white or cream, but some have a mauve or occasionally purple tinge. The generic botanical name Achillea stems from the belief that Achilles used Yarrow to treat the wounds of his soldiers. The finely divided leaves give it its specific name.

Considered a plant of the devil, in Wales this wildflower has long been thought to bring bad luck (or even death) if yarrow flowers are brought in to a home. There are many traditional medical uses recorded for this plant, including its use as an astringent to cure bleeding noses. Herbal tea can be made from the flowers, although given its known medical properties this seems rather inadvisable.