Achillea ptarmica 'Sneezeweed'

[Ex. Northumberland, England]

Asteraceae: an upright, branched or unbranched perennial with stiff, angular stems, the upper parts of which are downy. Grows in damp situations in meadows, woodland rides and clearings, almost always on acid soils. The flowers are in heads from 1-2cm across, comprising of greenish-yellow disc florets and white ray florets, the heads are carried in open clusters, blooming from July-September. The leaves are narrow, undivided, untoothed and stalkless. Locally common throughout Britain. Native to most of Europe, including Britain but excluding the Mediterranean, east to Siberia and Western Asia.

USES:

The whole plant has, cardiac, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, odontalgic, sternutatory, styptic properties. The leaf was once chewed to relieve toothache. The dried, powdered leaves are used as a sneezing powder.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Surface sow seeds in spring or early autumn in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months, but can take longer. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a moist well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants seem to live longer when growing in a poor soil.

HARVESTED: 2019

 

APPROX: 1000+ SEEDS