Evaluation of Morphological Traits and Oil Contents of Achillea aucheri from Different Altitudes

Yarrow (Achillea spp.) belonging to the family of Asteraceae with useful properties, such as anti-diaphoretic, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-inflammation, anti-biotic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, Carminative and anti-oxidant effects. The present investigation assessed the morphological diversity of Achillea aucheri, which is indigenous plant from Damavand mountain of Iran. The samples were collected from five heights of Damavand and the morphological traits were studied. For estimating the percentage of essential oil, aerial parts were collected and oil was isolated by hydro distillation using Clevenger-type apparatus. The results of present study demonstrated that the highest plant height, internodes, biomass and number of leaves per node obtained at lowest altitude (3900 meters from sea level). In addition, fresh weight and dry weight of plant had the highest amount in altitude of 3900 meter from sea level. But essential oil content increased from low altitude to high altitude from 0.681% to 0.954%. Also high altitude had high significantly differences on the essential oil content. It revealed that plants in lower altitudes produce more biomass than higher altitudes, but essential oil content of plants was more in higher altitudes. It seems that a part of photosynthetic energy of plants in higher altitudes expend to produce secondary metabolites especially essential oils to overcome stress and survival in inappropriate conditions.