Common Yarrow, Milfoil, Nosebleed Plant, Soldier's Woundwort
Kingdom: Plantae; Division: Tracheophyta; Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Asterales; Family: Asteraceae; Genus: Achillea; Species: Achillea millefolium · Asteraceae (Daisy or Sunflower family) · Compound, tripinnately dissected; Deciduous perennial
Species
Achillea millefolium
Leaf Type
Compound, tripinnately dissected; Deciduous perennial
Family
Asteraceae (Daisy or Sunflower family)
Shape
Lanceolate to linear in overall outline, but deeply divided into many tiny, feathery segments
Size
Typically 2 to 8 inches in length; the specimen shown is approximately 3-4 inches long
Margin
Deeply lobed and feathery (pinnatisect), appearing almost fern-like
Arrangement
Alternate along the stem, with a basal rosette often present at the soil level
Rarity
Very Common; frequently considered a weed in lawns but valued in wildflower meadows
Color & Pattern
Deep green to grey-green; the specimen shows the yellowing typical of a dried herbarium press
Venation Pattern
Pinnate, though the primary veins are obscured by the fine dissection of the leaf tissue
Texture & Surface
Varies from smooth to slightly woolly or pubescent (hairy); becomes thin and papery when dried
Description
An aromatic perennial herb with feathery, fern-like leaves and flat-topped clusters (corymbs) of small white to pinkish flower heads. It grows from creeping rhizomes and reaches heights of 1-3 feet.
Key Features
Fern-like 'thousand-leaved' foliage (hence the name millefolium) and flat-topped flower clusters with a distinctive pungent, herbal aroma when crushed
Habitat
Widely adaptable; found in meadows, grasslands, roadsides, and open forests; prefers well-drained soil in full sun
Geographic Range
Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America); widely naturalized globally
Condition Notes
The specimen is a dried herbarium press in good condition; it shows the transition from fresh green to a preserved brownish-yellow; no significant herbivory is visible
Interesting Facts
The genus name Achillea refers to the Greek hero Achilles, who is said to have used the plant to treat the wounds of his soldiers during the Trojan War
Medicinal & Uses
Used traditionally as a styptic to stop bleeding; also used in herbal teas for cold symptoms. Used ornamentally in drought-tolerant landscaping
Ecological Role
Attracts a wide variety of pollinators, including hoverflies, bees, and butterflies; provides cover for small insects and stabilizes soul with rhizomes
Similar Species
Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) has similar lacy leaves but a different flower structure; Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) has more coarse, saw-toothed leaf segments
Foraging Tips
Best identified by the scent; crushed leaves have a strong, spicy, medicinal aroma. Look for the flat-topped flower clusters from late spring through summer
Toxicity Warning
Generally safe for humans in small amounts, but can cause skin irritation (phototoxicity) in some individuals and is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested in large quantities