[4] The narrow grey-green foliage resembles that of a related genus Ageratum, hence the Latin specific epithet ageratifolia.

[5] The solitary, daisy-like composite flower heads are white with yellow centres and about 2–3 cm across.

[7] In cultivation in the UK, this plant has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[10] It was first described in 1813 as Anthemis ageratifolia by James Edward Smith in Florae Graecae,[1][11] but was transferred to the genus Achillea by George Bentham & Joseph Hooker in 1873.

[1][2] The genus name refers to the Ancient Greek hero Achilles, who is said to have used yarrow leaves to stop his soldiers' wounds from bleeding.