Achillea ptarmica
Species of flowering plant
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Through Species and Flowering plant
Description
Achillea 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.
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Etymology
The name ptarmica comes from the Greek word ptairo (=sneeze) and means 'causes sneezing'.
Distribution and habitat
It is native to Europe and western Asia. It is widespread across most of Europe and naturalized in scattered places in North America.
Uses
The 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. 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.
Cultivation
This 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. It will tolerate hot, humid summers, and drought.