Yarrow flower clusters
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Whole Plant (Growth Form) Characteristics | Height 20-100 cm tall |
Leaf Characteristics | Feathery, bipennate, tapered at ends, even distribution along length of stem, leaf size decreases with stem height, 0.5-3 cm wide and 3-15 cm long, aromatic if crushed |
Stem Characteristics | 1 to several stems arising from rhizomes |
Flower and Flowering Head Characteristics | Small, white or creamish-yellow or light pink, flower head is a shallow dome shape made of 10-20 ray flowers |
Fruit Characteristics | |
Seed Characteristics | 2mm, grey, oblong, flattened, striated down length |
Other Notable Visual Characteristics | Can reproduce from rhizomes or seeds |
Look-Alikes | Wild carrot (Daucus carota): Common yarrow has more finely dissected leaves and no carrot-like odor |
HABITAT AND PHENOLOGY
Mildly disturbed soils in grasslands and open forests, well drained soils | |
Fruit / Seed Period |
FUNCTIONAL VALUE
Leaves can be consumed raw, excess consumption may result in sedative and/or diuretic effects | |
Alkaloid achilleine, may produce rashes, dermatitis and eczema from an allergic reaction | |
| Pawnee and Chippewa tribes use the stem for pain relief, and leaves in a steam inhalant headache remedy | |
Pollinator Value | Butterflies, bees |