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| ## Commmon yarrow {#commmon-yarrow .Title-Header}                     |
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| *Achillea millefolium* L.                                             |
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| Plant Symbol = ACMI2                                                  |
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*Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center*

##### 

##### Caution: This plant may become invasive.

##### Alternate Names

Milfoil

##### Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: Several tribes of the Plains region of the United States
including the Pawnee and Chippewa tribes used common yarrow. The Pawnee
used the stalk in a treatment for pain relief. The Chippewa used the
leaves in a steam inhalant for headaches. They also chewed the roots and
applied the saliva to their appendages as a stimulant. The Cherokee
drank a tea of common yarrow to reduce fever and aid in restful sleep.

##### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator
values).![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.8965277777777776in"
height="4.344444444444444in"}

##### Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

##### Description

######## General: Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). Common yarrow is a perennial herb that produces one to several stems (2-10 dm tall) from a fibrous underground horizontal rootstock (rhizome). It is known to be both native and introduced. Leaves are evenly distributed along the stem, with the leaves near the middle and bottom of the stem being the largest. The leaves have varying degrees of hairiness (pubescence). Leaf blades are lanceolate in outline, but bipinnately dissected. Overall leaf dimensions range from 0.5-3 cm wide by 3-15 cm long. The flower heads (inflorescence) have a flattened dome shape corymbiform (2.5-4 mm thick by 4-5 mm high) with approximately 10-20 ray flowers. The flowers are whitish to yellowish-white. The plant commonly persists from May through June. 

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat*: The plant is frequently found in the mildly disturbed soil of
grasslands and open forests.

##### Establishment

Common yarrow is a drought tolerant species of which there are several
different ornamental cultivars. Plant the seeds no more than ¼ inch deep
due to the need of light for germination. The seeds also require a
temperature range of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Common yarrow responds
best to soil that is poorly developed and well drained. The plant has a
relatively short life. To prolong the life of the plant, divide the
plant every other year and plant 12-18 inches apart. Common yarrow is a
weedy species and can become invasive. Proper care should be used to
control the spread of the plant from its desired growing location.

##### Pests and Potential Problems

Common yarrow may suffer from mildew or root rot if not planted in
well-drained soil.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

These materials are readily available from commercial plant sources.

##### Control

##### Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty the products and control methods named, and other products may be equally effective.

##### References

Beaurain. B. 2001. *The garden helper*.

[www.thegardenhelper.com/Achillea.htm](http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Achillea.htm)

Correl, D.S. & M.C. Johnston 1970. *Manual of the vascular plants of
Texas*. Texas Research Foundation, Renner, Texas. 1881 pp.

Densmore, F. 1974. *How indians use wild plants for food, medicine, and
crafts*. Dover Publications Inc., New York, New York. 397pp.

Dunbar, J.D. 1880. *The Pawnee indians*. Magazine of American History
5(5):321-342.

Great Plains Flora Association 1986. *Flora of the great plains*.
University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. 1392 pp.

Hamel, P.B. & M.U. Chiltoskey 1975. *Cherokee plants their uses-a 400
year history*. Herald Publishing Company, Sylva, North Carolina. 65 pp.

Kindscher, K. 1992. *Medicinal wild plants of the prairie*. University
Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. 340 pp.

Maas Nursery. 2001. *Herbs*. Seabrook, Texas.
\<[www.maasnursery.com/yarrow.htm](http://www.maasnursery.com/yarrow.htm)\>.
Accessed 20NOV01.

Moerman, D.E. 1998. *Native American ethnobotany*. Timber press,
Portland, Oregon. 927 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1999. *Native American ethnobotany database: Foods, drugs,
dyes and fibers of native North American peoples*. The University of
Michigan-Dearborn. \<<http://www.umd.umich.edu/cgi-bin/herb>\>.

Sanders, T.W. 1895. *Sanders' encyclopedia of gardening*. A.G.L. Hellyer
1958. Revised. W.H. and L. Collingridge Limited. New York, New York. 526
pp.

Zhang, D., A.M. Armitage, J.M. Affolter, M.A. Dirr 1996. *Environmental
control of flowering and growth of Achillea millefolium L. "summer
pastels"*. HortScience 31(3):364-365.

##### Prepared By: 

##### *Matthew D. Hurteau*, Formerly USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, c/o, Environmental Horticulture Department, University of California, Davis, California

##### Species Coordinator: 

##### *M. Kat Anderson* 

##### USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Science Department, University of California, Davis, California

##### 

##### Edited: 20nov01 jsp; 04jun03 ahv; 30may06jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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