Sneeze-Wort, Sneezeweed
Achillea ptarmica
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.
Achillea ptarmica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Damp meadows, marshes and by streams.
Europe, including Britain but excluding the Mediterranean, east to Siberia and W. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Leaves - raw or cooked. Used as a flavouring in salads.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Cardiac, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, odontalgic, sternutatory, styptic. The leaf is chewed to relieve toothache.
Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.
Antiemetic: Prevents vomiting.
Antiflatulent: Reduces flatulence, particularly gas from eating legumes. See also Carminative.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Appetizer: Improves the appetite
Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Digestive: Aids digestion.
Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Odontalgic: Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
Sternutatory: Promotes sneezing and nasal discharges.
Styptic: An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.
Other
Rating: 2
The dried, powdered leaves are used as a sneezing powder. Yields an essential oil that is used medicinally. 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. The leaves are used as an insect repellent.
Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.
Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Rock garden, Seashore, Specimen. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a moist well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants also succeed in partial shade. Plants succeed in maritime gardens. They live longer when growing in a poor soil. The plant has a spreading root system and can be very invasive. Hardy to at least -25°c. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Special Features:Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or early autumn in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months. 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.
Best place to grow: Meadow;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-9
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist