Achillea

Achillea is a genus of flowering plants, family Asteraceae, commonly known as yarrows, with the common name typically referring to Achillea millefolium; additional vernacular names include allheal and bloodwort. Members typically display frilly, aromatic leaves and large, flat flower clusters at the tops of stems, with blooms ranging from white, yellow and orange to pink and red, and the genus is native primarily to Eurasia and North America, with particular presence in the temperate regions of Asia and Europe. The genus was named after the Greek mythological figure Achilles, whose soldiers were said to have used yarrow to treat battle wounds, explaining the names referencing healing properties; nearly 1,000 published names exist within Achillea at or below species level, though sources differ significantly on which should be recognized as distinct species versus subspecies or varieties, and multiple cultivars have received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.