[2] Achillea ptarmica has loose clusters of showy white composite flower heads that bloom from June to August.

[3] The name ptarmica comes from the Greek word ptairo (=sneeze) and means 'causes sneezing'.

[9][10] When chewed, the plant produces a numbing, tingling effect in the mouth, comparable to that of Sichuan pepper.

For this reason, it is sometimes used in herbal medicine to relieve toothache or ulcers, and as a culinary herb.

[11][12] This is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that prefers full sun and moist but well-drained soil.