Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow is a delicate, gray-green perennial herb that grows up to 3 feet tall. The silver, feathery leaves are evenly distributed along the tall stem in an alternating arrangement, although the leaves nearest the base are the largest. The leaves, ranging from 5–20 cm (2–8 in) in length, have many leaflets on each side of the midrib (pinnately lobed), which are further divided into small lacy leaflets that give the feathery appearance. Yarrow’s many tall stems are crowned by a wide, flat cluster of tiny, white flowers. The inflorescence typically has 15-40 of these yellowish-white (rarely pink) disk flowers and similarly colored ray flowers.
Basic Information
Member of the Asteraceae family, which includes daisies and sunflowers
Yarrow is highly variable and is often treated as both a single species with numerous varieties and as multiple distinct species
There are a number of varieties found only on the West Coast including:
Achillea millefolium var. californica – California, Pacific Northwest
Achillea millefolium var. puberula – endemic to California
Most Achillea millefolium in North America are hybrids of both native and introduced yarrows
Habitat
Common throughout North America, as well as in Europe and Asia
Native to every habitat in California, except the Colorado and Mojave Deserts
Prefers the mildly disturbed soil of grasslands, meadows, and open forests
Ecological Role
Important for pollinators, particularly native bees
Commonly found in butterfly gardens
Reproduction
Relies on active pollinators to reproduce
Active plant growth occurs in the spring and late winter
Commonly flowers from May to July
Alternative Names
Gordaldo, nosebleed plant, old man's pepper, devil's nettle, sanguinary, milfoil, soldier's woundwort, thousand-leaf, and thousand-seal
In Spanish-speaking New Mexico and southern Colorado, it is called plumajillo (Spanish for 'little feather') because of its feather-like leaf shape and texture
Historical Uses
Native Americans had many uses for the plant, including pain relief, cold treatment, fever reduction, and blood issues of all kinds
Yarrow was one of the most widely used herbs by Native American tribes
Yarrow is an astringent (makes tissue contract), antiseptic (stops bacterial growth), and anti-inflammatory
Yarrow used to be known as herbal militaris, for its use in staunching the flow of blood from wounds
