# Fern-leaf Yarrow (*Achillea filipendulina*) Fern-leaf Yarrow is a lovely plant with feathery leaves and bright yellow flowers. It grows in gardens and fields, adding beauty to the nature around us. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Fern-leaf Yarrow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/00_3068_Bl%C3%BCtenstand_der_Goldgarbe_%28Achillea_filipendulina%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:00_3068_Bl%C3%BCtenstand_der_Goldgarbe_%28Achillea_filipendulina%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Fern-leaf Yarrow has tall, sturdy stems topped with vibrant, flat-topped clusters of tiny, bright yellow flowers. Its deeply cut, feathery leaves resemble ferns, giving the plant a delicate texture. These striking golden blooms stand out against its fine green foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Achillea ## Interesting facts - Its name 'Achillea' comes from Achilles, a Greek hero who used yarrow to heal his soldiers! - Sniff its ferny leaves! They release a spicy, herbal scent when crushed. - The bright yellow flowers are sometimes used to make natural dyes for fabric! - This plant is a pollinator magnet, buzzing with bees and butterflies all summer long! ## Special abilities - **Drought Buster:** Fern-leaf Yarrow can thrive in dry conditions thanks to its deep roots, helping it survive with less water. - **Scent Shield:** Its feathery leaves release a strong, aromatic scent, which can deter some hungry pests and attract beneficial insects. - **Sturdy Supporter:** Strong, upright stems help Fern-leaf Yarrow hold its large flower heads high, making them easily visible to pollinators. - **Underground Spreader:** It spreads using underground stems called rhizomes, helping it colonize new areas and grow in robust clumps. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-120 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — gathers nectar and pollen from flowers - **Pollinates:** Red Admiral butterfly (*Vanessa atalanta*) — sips nectar, helping spread pollen - **Pollinates:** Hoverfly (*Syrphus ribesii*) — feeds on nectar, aiding plant reproduction ## Traits - [Herbaceous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbaceous): Herbaceous plants are non-woody plants with soft stems that typically die back to the ground at the end of the growing season. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before touching or picking plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Fern-leaf Yarrow? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Fern-leaf Yarrow? 60-120 cm ### How wide does Fern-leaf Yarrow spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Fern-leaf Yarrow? 0.3-0.5 cm ### When does Fern-leaf Yarrow bloom? Summer ### Is Fern-leaf Yarrow edible? Yes ### Is Fern-leaf Yarrow toxic? Mild ### What is Fern-leaf Yarrow's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Red Butte Garden and Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-butte-garden-and-arboretum) — Utah, US · Botanical Garden ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Fern-leaf Yarrow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fern-leaf-yarrow)