| Achillea erba-rotta | |
|---|---|
| Flowers of Achillea erab-rotta | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Achillea |
| Species: | A. erba-rotta |
| Binomial name | |
| Achillea erba-rotta All. |
|
Achillea erba-rotta, common name Simple Leaved Milfoil, is a perennial flowering plant of the genus Achillea, belonging to the Asteraceae family.
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Achillea erba-rotta is a polymorphic species, as its physical characteristics clearly vary depending on the variety. The biological form is chamaephyte suffruticose,[1] as these plants have perennating buds borne close to the ground and are woody in the lower part of the stem, with herbaceous yearly branches. The primary root is a rhizome.
This plant reaches on average 12–18 centimetres (4.7–7.1 in) in height.[1] The stems are woody and creeping, almost glabrous or with short hair and with erect flowering branches. Leaves of sterile branches are lanceolate-spatulate, 5-7 mm wide and 26-30 mm long, with 4-7 teeth on each side.[1] Cauline leaves are alternate, sessile, toothed and progressively linear, about 2-3 mm wide and 11-22 mm long.[1] Flowers are hermaphroditic and pentamerous, arranged in corymbs with many heads, about 3 mm in diameter, with rounded ligules.[1] The flowering period extends from July through August. The fruit is a flattened achene without pappus.
This typical plant of Alps is present in Italy, France, Switzerland and Austria.[1] [2]
It prefers a sunny location in alpine pastures and rocky areas, at an altitude of 2,000–2,800 metres (6,600–9,200 ft) above sea level.[1]