What does achillea mean?
Achillea is the botanical name for a genus of hardy flowering plants in the daisy family, best represented by the familiar wildflower yarrow. Members of the genus bear dense, flat-topped clusters of small flowers — often yellow, white, pink, or red — above fern-like, aromatic foliage, making them popular perennials in borders and cottage gardens. The name derives from Achilles, the hero of Greek mythology, because according to legend he used these plants to dress his soldiers' wounds at Troy, a link reflected in folk names such as 'soldier's woundwort' and 'nosebleed plant'. In modern usage, 'achillea' appears chiefly among gardeners, botanists, and horticultural writers, while general speakers are more likely to say 'yarrow'; it carries pleasant connotations of cottage-garden planting, medicinal folklore, and summer meadows rich with pollinating insects.
nounA genus of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae), commonly known as yarrows, characterized by clusters of small, flat-topped flowers and finely divided, aromatic leaves.
- The botanical genus Achillea of flowering plants in the daisy family, including yarrow.
"The border was brightened by drifts of achillea, its flat golden flowerheads attracting bees all summer."
"She planted tall varieties of achillea along the sunny edge of the garden to attract pollinators."
"In herbal tradition, achillea was prized for its supposed healing properties on battlefields."
When referring to multiple plants or specimens, the standard plural adds -s.
"She divided her overgrown achilleas in autumn and replanted them across the bed."
Named after the Greek hero Achilles, who is said to have used yarrow to treat his soldiers' wounds during the Trojan War.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of achillea
The word comes from New Latin Achillea, the scientific name given to this plant genus, which itself derives from the Greek hero Achilles. Legend held that Achilles used yarrow-like plants to staunch the wounds of his troops during the Trojan War, so early botanists honored him in naming the genus. The name thus preserves one of the oldest links between Greek mythology and European herbal medicine, echoed in English folk names such as soldier's woundwort.
How achillea is actually used
Primarily a botanical and horticultural term; in everyday speech people usually say 'yarrow' rather than 'achillea'. The word is used mainly in gardening contexts, plant catalogues, and scientific writing.
Easily confused with achillea
Echinacea is a different genus of daisy-family plants with cone-shaped purple flowerheads, whereas achillea bears flat-topped clusters and is known as yarrow.