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Achillea ptarmica

Achillea ptarmica

9.9
A herb with small white button flowers and grey-green leaves that can cause sneezing when powdered
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : milenrama estornudadora
  • In traditional remedies, powdered leaves of Achillea ptarmica were once used to induce sneezing.

Examples

  • The gardener planted Achillea ptarmica along the border for its attractive white blooms.

  • Achillea ptarmica thrives in moist soils and provides summer interest in cottage gardens.

  • The Achillea ptarmica blooms beautifully in the summer.

  • Did you know that Achillea ptarmica can cause sneezing?

  • In traditional remedies, powdered leaves of Achillea ptarmica were once used to induce sneezing.

  • The gardener planted Achillea ptarmica along the border for its attractive white blooms.

  • Achillea ptarmica thrives in moist soils and provides summer interest in cottage gardens.

Synonyms

sneezewort
vsAchillea ptarmica
  • UK
9.9

A Eurasian plant with white button flowers and long grey-green leaves that can make you sneeze when powdered

specifies powdering generally rather than only powdered leaves
sneezeweed yarrow
vsAchillea ptarmica
  • UK
9.9

A herb from Europe and Asia with small white flowers and green leaves that can make you sneeze when powdered

uses clusters to describe the flower groups rather than the term heads

Surface Forms

Morphology

Achillea + ptarmica

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species). Knowing 'Achillea' lets a learner infer it is a kind of aromatic perennial herb, but the species epithet 'ptarmica' is opaque/unfamiliar so the specific properties (white button flowers, sneeze-inducing powder) cannot be derived, yielding only partial understanding.

Etymology

Achillea ptarmica may get its name from two old stories: Achillea was named for the hero Achilles because people used yarrow to treat wounds, and ptarmica comes from a Greek word meaning 'to sneeze' since powdered leaves made people sneeze. So the name helps you remember it is a healing herb that can also cause sneezing.