CONSTITUENTS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF IRANIAN ACHILLEA SPECIES.

Abdolhossein Rustaiyan Prof.*, Afsaneh Faridchehr PhD. and Mahdieh Ariaee Fard MSc.

ABSTRACT

Achillea is a group of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae described as a genus by Linnaeus in 1753. The genus was named after the Greek mythological character Achilles. According to legend, Achilles soldiers used yarrow to treat their wounds, hence some of its common names such as all-heal and bloodwort. The genus is native primarily to Europe, temperate areas of Asia, and North America. The common name “yarrowâ€Â is usually applied to Achillea millefolium, but may also be used for other species within the genus. These plants typically have frilly, hairy and aromatic leaves. The plants show large, flat clusters of small flowers at the top of the stem. The flowers can be white, yellow, orange, pink or red and are generally visited by many insects, and are thus characterized by a generalized pollination system.

Keywords: Iranian Achillea Species, Compositae, Constituents, Biological Activity.