Western yarrow
Achillea millefolium L.
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, solitary or loosely clustered, few-branched, woolly-hairy.
- Leaves
- Alternate, fern-like, stalked below to sessile above, lanceolate in outline, deeply pinnately divided 2-3 times, 1 to 6 inches long, .25 to 1.25 inch wide, gradually reduced above, grayish-green, woolly; margins deeply dissected; fragrant when crushed.
- Inflorescence
- Cyme-like, flat-topped or rounded, many-flowered, terminal.
- Flower
- Heads about 1/4 inch wide; bracts overlapping, margins straw-colored; ray florets usually 5, about 1/10 inch long, white or rarely pinkish; disk florets 10-30, corollas tube-shaped, yellowish to creamy-white.
- Fruit
- Achenes, oblong, glabrous, flattened, without bristles and scales, enclosing small seed.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Dry prairies, open woodlands, roadsides, and partially disturbed areas.
- Distribution
- Throughout Kansas.
Practical Information
- Forage Value
- Unpalatable to cattle but is fair forage for sheep and deer.
- Uses
- Native Americans used yarrow for a wide variety of medicinal purposes, including remedies for coughs, colds, throat irritations, toothaches, respiratory diseases, and to treat wounds and stop bleeding.
Additional Notes
Comments
Yarrow was supposedly named for Achilles of Greek legend, who is said to have used it to treat battle wounds. Western yarrow is hardy, surviving well during drought conditions.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 8-36 inches
- Last Updated
- 2007-09-14
Color Groups
White, Green & Greenish White Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: June, July, August, September