Carl Linnaeus described the
genus in 1753. The
common name "yarrow" is usually applied to
Achillea millefolium, 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 are merely synonyms of better-established names. For convenience,
the Plant List maintained by the
Kew Botanic Gardens is followed.
Cultivars The following
cultivars are recipients of the
Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit: •
Achillea ageratifolia •
Achillea 'Coronation Gold' •
Achillea 'Credo' •
Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold' •
Achillea filipendulina 'Gold Plate' •
Achillea 'Heidi' •
Achillea 'Hella Glashoff' •
Achillea 'Lachsschönheit' (Galaxy Series) •
Achillea ×
lewisii 'King Edward' •
Achillea 'Lucky Break' •
Achillea 'Martina' •
Achillea millefolium 'Lansdorferglut' •
Achillea 'Mondpagode' •
Achillea 'Moonshine' •
Achillea 'Summerwine'
Etymology The
genus was named after the
Greek mythological character
Achilles. According to legend, Achilles' soldiers used yarrow to treat their wounds, hence some of its common names such as allheal and bloodwort. ==Distribution and habitat==