• Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Achillea millefolium

common yarrow

Nomenclature

Common Name:

common yarrow

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Achillea millefolium

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

to 3 ft tall by to 1 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Informal plantings, especially butterfly gardens. Useful for erosion control.

Considerations:

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Availability:

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Propagation:

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Light:

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Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

Broadly tolerant

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Birds

Attracts butterflies, bees, and other insect pollinators. Attracts bees and butterflies. Larval host for Painted Lady butterfly ( Vanessa cardui ).

Several cavity-nesting birds use yarrow to line their nests. Adding yarrow to nests may inhibit the growth of parasites. Some small birds eat the seeds.

Native Habitats:

Ruderal.

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Once used as a food; very popular as a vegetable in the seventeenth century. The younger leaves are said to be a pleasant leaf vegetable when cooked as spinach, or in a soup. Leaves can also be dried and used as a herb in cooking.

General Comments:

Can be grown as a groundcover.



This is a species on the southern limits of its range in North Florida.  Its known occurrence (ISB 2020) is sparse in FLorida.