Sneezewort

Information on Sneezewort

Common Name: Sneezewort
Scientific Name: Achillea ptarmica
Irish Name: Lus corráin
Family Group: Asteraceae
Distribution: View Map (Courtesy of the BSBI)
Flowering Period


Click for list of all flowering by month
Sneezewort is not easily confused with other wild plants on this web site.


This is an attractive, erect, medium sized perennial which grows in damp grassy places and marshes.  The daisy-type flowers (12-20mm) are made up of broad, short rays (petals) and the centre is a disc of tubular florets.  They are borne on tall stems (to 60cm) in flat clusters from July to September.  The leaves of Sneezewort are stalkless, narrow and have finely serrated edges.  This is a native plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. 

I first identified this plant in Maghery, Co Donegal in 1980 and photographed it in the Burren, Co Clare in 1985. 

If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre

This plant, which is highly valued by insects, is poisonous to sheep, cattle and horses.  The dried leaves were used to make a type of snuff and a sneezing powder, as the name might suggest, and also the dried flowers were used to make a tea, which was a remedy for head colds and headaches.

Sneezewort