Distribution of the species
The Balkan yarrow is a “typical” plant of limestone cliffs and ridges between 1,300 and 1,950 m asl., in mountainous locations and, mainly, in the sub-alpine vegetation zone.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
Herbaceous plant, with several upright or ascending stems, up to 25 cm tall. Each stem ends in a “complex” white flower resembling a daisy. In fact, there are numerous, small flowers that are densely placed on a wide disk (head). The ones on the periphery are called ray flowers and are the ones that many have “plucked” trying to answer the “loves me, loves me not” question, while the smaller inner flowers are called disk flowers. It is a species of the Balkan Peninsula that blooms from early May to August, depending on the altitudinal zone. According to the Greek mythology, Achilles was taught by the Centaur Chiron the healing properties of the plant, which he used in the Trojan War and that is how the genus of these plants got its name. The name of the species ageratifolia is attributed to the resemblance of its leaves to the leaves of the tropical American Ageratum genus, although Dioscorides, a Greek physician, pharmacist and botanist of the 1st century AD, described a plant named Agiraton, a possible reference to this particular plant.
Due to its relatively wide distribution in the rocky areas of Mount Paggaio, no particular threats and pressures were observed or reported, which could lead to a significant reduction in its population. Its population might be reduced or affected by projects and interventions in the rocky outcrops where it occurs.
Conservation status
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Conservation state
It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status.