Yarrow
Compositae
Interesting info:
More photos and info at missouriplants.com
Dan Tenagle - missouriplants.com
Folk lore from wikipedia: Stories about yarrow feature in traditional Chinese culture. For example, it is said that it grows around the grave of Confucius. Also the most authentic way to cast the Yi Jing is to use dried yarrow stalks. The stems are said to be good for divining the future. Chinese proverbs claim that yarrow brightens the eyes and promotes intelligence. Yarrow and tortoiseshell are considered to be lucky in Chinese tradition. Oriental tradition also assured mountain wanderers that where the yarrow grew neither tigers nor wolves nor poisonous plants would be found.
In Classical tradition, Homer tells us that the centaur
Chiron, who conveyed herbal secrets to his human pupils, taught Achilles
to use yarrow on the battle grounds of Troy. Achilles is said to have
used it to stop the bleeding wounds of his soldiers. For centuries it
has been carried in battle because of its magical as well as medicinal
properties. Western European tradition also connects yarrow with a goddess
and a demon. Yarrow was a witching herb, used to summon the devil or drive
him away. But it was also a loving herb in the domain of Aphrodite.
You
ought to know:
Area: dry
Height: 18-24 inches
Frequency at Medford Leas : Low
Blooms: Late Spring