Practical
Plants

Achillea ptarmica

Sneeze-Wort

a perennial member of the Achillea genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[5][3][7]. Used as a flavouring in salads[6].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Cardiac, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, odontalgic, sternutatory, styptic[12][6]. The leaf is chewed to relieve toothache[10].

Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Sternutatory
Product or use
Styptic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried, powdered leaves are used as a sneezing powder[13][2]. Yields an essential oil that is used medicinally[2]. The report does not say what part of the plant the oil is obtained from, it is most likely to be the leaves harvested just before flowering[K]. The leaves are used as an insect repellent[6].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain but excluding the Mediterranean, east to Siberia and W. Asia.
Habitat
Damp meadows, marshes and by streams[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring or early autumn in a cold frame[4]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the divisions can be planted direct into their permanent positions. Basal cuttings of new shoots in spring. Very easy, collect the shoots when they are about 10cm tall, potting them up individually in pots and keeping them in a warm but lightly shaded position. They should root within 3 weeks and will be ready to plant out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a moist well-drained soil in a sunny position[1][8]. Plants also succeed in partial shade[8]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[11]. They live longer when growing in a poor soil[9]. The plant has a spreading root system and can be very invasive[11]. Hardy to at least -25°c[8]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[11]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩1↩2

  3. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  10. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  11. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

Edit this page