The strong, smelly type

Yarrow

Given Name: Achillia millefolium

Nickames: soldier's woundwort, herb militaris, bloodwort, carpenter's weed, sanguinary, staunchweed

Don't worry fair human... I'll save you!

My grandmother and her grandfather before her did the same. I come from a long line of courageous plants who risked their lives to heal people. I was even named Achillea because, in Greek mythology, Achilles used me to stop the bleeding of his soldiers who were wounded in battle. Historically, my heroic healing has been celebrated far and wide by people in all corners of the world.

In Turkey, though, I did my bravest work, by traditionally combating the evil scourge of flatulence!

If you let me serve you, I will vow to do more than heal your wounds and reduce your farts.

In your garden, I will attract an army of pollinators and protect your frail plants from insect pests. I'm so intimidating that those pests will run away screaming...

...okay maybe it's my smell that confuses them and then they can't find the plants they were looking for.

But the point is, I still make them go away!

I will even lay down my life to add nutrients to your soil (K, P, and Cu).

As an edible plant, I promise to ward off your hunger. Although I'm bitter if you eat me raw, you can make a soup from my feathery foliage or boil and serve me with butter. You could even try using me to flavour ale- people did that in Sweden. It may not seem like an impressive task but helping others in small ways is an honourable pursuit.

I have been, and always will be, a gallant ally. I stand up straight on my fuzzy stalk and hold my umbel of small white flowers upright knowing that my species' valour has made a difference!

Your Protector,

Brave Yarrow

References:

Jacke, D., Toensmeier, E. (2005). Edible Forest Gardens: Volume Two. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing Company, pp 466-7, 535, 555.

Michael, P. (1986). A Country Harvest. London: Peerage Books, pp 13- 15.

Plants for a Future (1996). Achillea millefolium Yarrow. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Achillea+millefolium

Saeidnia, S., Gohari, A., Mokhber-Dezfuli, N., & Kiuchi, F. (2011). A review on phytochemistry and medicinal properties of the genus Achillea. Daru : Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 19(3), 173–186. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3232110/

Wagner-Reiss. K. (2020, August 9). Plant Names Tell Their Stories: Achilles’ Healing Herb, Achillea (yarrow). Morris Arboretum: University of Pennsylvania. https://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/morrisarboretum-blog/411-plant-names-tell-their-stories-achilles-healing-herb-achillea-yarrow.html