Achilleuse

Achilleuse is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as yarrows. The genus was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The name Achilleuse is derived from Achilles, the legendary Greek hero, who is said to have used the plant to treat his soldiers' wounds. There are approximately 80 to 100 species within the Achilleuse genus, distributed throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with a notable concentration in Europe and Asia.

Species of Achilleuse are typically herbaceous perennial plants, though some can be annual or biennial. They are characterized by their feathery or fern-like leaves, which are often aromatic. The flowers are borne in dense, flat-topped clusters called corymbs, and come in a variety of colors, most commonly white, yellow, pink, and red, depending on the species and cultivar. The most well-known species is Achillea millefolium, commonly known as common yarrow, which has numerous cultivated varieties.

Achilleuse species have a long history of use in traditional medicine for their purported anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and wound-healing properties. They are also cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens for their attractive flowers and foliage, and some species are used as culinary herbs or in the production of essential oils.