Short Description
The sneezewort can grow up to 150 cm high, but usually 40 cm.
The leaves are narrow-lanceolate and coarse. The leaf margin is finely serrated. They grow singly and alternately on the stem.
The stem grows erect and mostly unbranched.
At first glance, the flower head can be mistaken for the flower. The false flowers consist of numerous, single white ray florets at the edge and yellowish white tubular florets in the centre.
The plant forms small, nut-like fruits.
Features
Sneezewort
Achillea ptarmica
predominantly white flower head
coarse leaves
In the city
It is found on wet, nutrient-rich soils. In the city, it prefers to grow in wet meadows, along streams and ditches and along roadsides. Especially a specially bred variety with double flower heads is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Fun Facts
In former times, the plant was considered to repel lightning or drive away witches in some regions.
The flowering period is from July to September.
It lives for several years and generally flowers and fruits annually (perennial plant).
The flowers are pollinated by flies and bees.
The fruits are spread by the wind.
- Endangerment level Germany: not endangered
It is native to Central Europe.
The scientific name ptarmica comes from the Greek and means sneeze-inducing.
The root has a burning hot taste and was used as a sneezing powder in the past. It was also used as a tonic and haemostatic.
Sources
Habitus, Matti Virtala, CC0 1.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Achillea_ptarmica_Oulu,_Finland_25.07.2013.jpg
Blütenstand, Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Achillea_ptarmica_-_v%C3%B5sa-raudrohi.jpg
Blüten, Kor!An (Андрей Корзун), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Achillea_ptarmica_%27The_Pearl%27_01.jpg
Kammer, P. M. (2016) Pflanzen einfach bestimmen. Schritt für Schritt einheimische Arten kennenlernen, Bern: Haupt Verlag.
Schauer, T., Caspari, C. & Caspari, S. (2015) Der illustrierte BLV-Pflanzenführer für unterwegs. 1150 Blumen, Gräser, Bäume und Sträucher, München: BLV.
Spohn, M., Golte-Bechtle, M. & Spohn, R. (2015) Was blüht denn da? Stuttgart: Franckh Kosmos Verlag.
Page „Sumpf-Schafgarbe“. : Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Date of last revision: 08.05.2016, 14:41 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sumpf-Schafgarbe&oldid=154197358 (Accessed: 13.04.2018).