Achillea millefolium – Common yarrow

Appearance

• Yarrow grows to 3 feet tall and has no branches except near the top.
• The leaves are 3-5 inches long, with many leaflets on each side of the midrib (1- pinnately lobed); and these are further divided into smaller leaflets, giving them a delicate, fernlike, lacy appearance.
• Flower heads are arranged in large, compact clusters at the top of the stem, each cluster consisting of 1 or more flower heads.
• The flower head has 20-25 yellowish-white (rarely pink) ray flowers and similarly colored disc flowers.

Where to find this plant

Look for Yarrow by the shoreline and in sunny areas.

How can humans use?

• Yarrow was formerly used for medicinal purposes: to break a fever by increasing perspiration, to treat hemorrhaging and as a poultice for rashes. A tea used by Native Americans to cure stomach disorders was made by steeping the leaves.
• The foliage has a pleasant smell when crushed.