Bearing the name of a legendary Greek hero, Yarrow stands as more than just a building. Yarrow whispers tales of ancient battles and healing remedies. Let me tell you about this fascinating plant and its namesake.
Achilles, the great warrior, used yarrow to staunch his soldiers’ bleeding wounds during the Trojan War. That’s according to Greek mythology. The plant’s scientific name, Achillea, directly references this connection. Imagine Achilles, a figure of immense strength and courage, relying on this humble herb.
Yarrow isn’t just a plant of the past. New Mexico’s indigenous cultures utilized every part of the plant. They used it for various medical issues from toothaches to digestive problems and even the common cold. It grows abundantly in these parts.
Here in New Mexico, you will mainly find Achillea millefolium. It is also called common yarrow. You can recognize it by its clusters of white flowers atop fern-like leaves. They release a very nice fragrance. Butterflies and bees love the white one.
Yarrow is a perennial. It typically grows to be between one and two feet tall. It has hairy, branched stems lined with feathery, dark-green leaves. From June through September, white umbel-shaped flowers appear at the ends of the stems. The entire plant exudes a spicy scent.
The Western yarrow, or Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis, is native to North America. It mingles with cattails and watercress near stream beds. Its leaves are densely hairy, which helps it withstand drought and heat.
The word “yarrow” itself evolved from Anglo-Saxon and Dutch words. Spanish-Americans called it Plumijillo, meaning “little feather”. This describes its feather-like foliage.
Yarrow has some intriguing common names. Devil’s nettle and Bad man’s plaything are just a few examples. They stem from a superstition that Satan used to shake yarrow at homes he wished to curse.
Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, also had a fondness for yarrow. He preferred beer made with yarrow instead of hops. Linnaeus believed yarrow made the brew more intoxicating.
So, Yarrow is more than just a name. It connects us to ancient heroes, indigenous traditions, and the very foundations of botanical science. It is a reminder that even the smallest things can have the most profound stories. Take a closer look. You never know what hidden histories you might discover within its walls.