Achillea millefolium - Yarrow
 At
first glance, one might mistake the flat-topped cluster of flowers for
Wild Carrot. But besides being much shorter stemmed, Yarrow has distinctive,
feathery leaves. these plants may be found growing on roadsides, in fields
or even your back yard. A tea can be made from its dried leaves and has
been used to cure fevers and stomach disorders among other medicinal uses.
Its scientific name comes from a myth that Achilles revealed the plant's healing properties. Millefolium (thousand-leaved) refers to its finely dissected leaves. Its straight stems were used in China as an oracle using the I Ching. 49 Yarrow sticks (plus one set aside) are randomly divided into two groups, then each group is counted into 4 piles. The remainders (1, 2, 3, or 4 sticks) are set aside and all other sticks are gathered and the process is repeated 2 more times. The number remaining is counted and divided by 4. 9 = Old Yang, 8 = Young Yin, 7 = Young Yang, 6 = Old Yin. This is repeated 6 times to obtain a hexagram and the corresponding writings in the I Ching are interpreted as on omen. |
| Family: Sunflower or Daisy (Asteraceae or Compositae)
Blooms: June-September Native to: Eurasia Photo Location: Mayberry State Park, Northville, MI |
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