Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow)
| Also known as: | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Achillea |
| Family: | Asteraceae (Aster) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | sun or part shade; fields, prairies, woods |
| Bloom season: | summer, fall |
| Plant height: | 1 to 3 feet |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
| Spotted in Ramsey County at: |
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Detailed Information
- Flower:
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/common-yarrow-100_7115-t.jpg)
Flat-topped cluster 2 to 4 inches across. Individual flowers have 4 to 6 white ray flowers (petals), notched at the tips, and cream colored or pale yellow disc flowers.
- Leaves:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/common-yarrow-100_6695-t.jpg)
Leaves are narrow and finely divided, feathery and fern-like, up to 6 inches long and 1 inch across and are progressively smaller towards the top of the stem. The leaves and/or stem are often covered in fine hairs, but not always.
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/common-yarrow-100_7115.jpg)
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/common-yarrow-100_6695.jpg)
More photos
full-size plant, about 18 inches tallPhotos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN and Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Coon Rapids, MN May-June 2007
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2010-06-20 13:08:33
achillia multifolia is labeled as "native" on your Minnesota Wildflowers site, but as alien in Roger Tory Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers, and on the USDA website. Is this an "oops" or do you have other information on this plant?
on: 2010-06-21 21:38:50
Nancy, thanks for this particular question, as I have asked it myself.
According to Flora of North America ("FNA" is our definitive guide, see efloras.org) this species is native, though morphologically variable. FNA goes on to explain that some early botanists considered the variations separate species, others considered them variations of a single species. It seems now this is a Northern Hemisphere species that has hybridized sufficiently between North American and introduced plants to become a single, variable species.
FNA calls it native, as does the MN DNR big list-o-plants.
on: 2010-05-31 18:36:35
It grows all over in Litchfield. A great medicinal herb! God for bruises, burns, radiation, takes pain away from varicose veins, sunburn, but it is renowned for its ability to stop the blood from gushing wounds. Hence it's name "Achillea millefolium", named after the Greek leader of warriors in the Trojan War, who bound the wounds of his warriors with yarrow to staunch the flow of their blood.