# Yarrow (*Achillea millefolium*) Yarrow has feathery leaves and clusters of tiny white or yellow flowers. It's often found in gardens and meadows! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 283 - **Habitat:** Meadows and gardens - **Also known as:** Common Yarrow, Milfoil, Western Yarrow ![Yarrow](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424502/objects/4965.jpg) ## Appearance The Yarrow has dense, flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers, typically white, yellow, or pink. Its distinctive fern-like, feathery leaves are deeply divided, giving it a soft, delicate texture quite different from many other wildflowers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Achillea ## Interesting facts - Ancient soldiers sometimes used Yarrow leaves to help heal their battle wounds. - Each Yarrow leaf looks like hundreds of tiny, delicate green mini-feathers! - Its scientific name, Achillea, comes from the legendary Greek hero Achilles! - You can find Yarrow growing wild on almost every continent in the world! ## Special abilities - **Rapid Spreader:** Yarrow can grow quickly and form large patches using underground stems called rhizomes to spread widely. - **Water Saver:** Yarrow has finely-divided, feathery leaves that help it reduce water loss in dry, sunny places. - **Nature's Protector:** Yarrow contains natural chemicals that can help protect itself from certain plant-eating pests and diseases. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-100 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collecting nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — visiting its abundant flowers - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) — browsing on its tender leaves ## Traits - [Perennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/perennial): Perennial plants live for more than two years, typically returning to grow and bloom each year from their roots. - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [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. - [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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Yarrow? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Yarrow? 30-100 cm ### How wide does Yarrow spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Yarrow? 0.3-0.5 cm ### When does Yarrow bloom? Late spring to fall ### Is Yarrow edible? Yes ### Is Yarrow toxic? Mild ### What is Yarrow's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve - [Bishop Hill Colony](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bishop-hill-colony) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Brooks River Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooks-river-archeological-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Bryce Canyon Lodge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryce-canyon-lodge-historic-district) — Utah, US · Historic District - [Cambridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cambridge-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Yarrow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/yarrow) ## 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: [Yarrow: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yarrow)