Identification

• The common yarrow is a perennial that flourishes under the most extreme soil conditions. Yarrow flowers are yellow, white or pink. The flowers form at the top of the leaves, and 10 to 20 blooms emerge in each cluster. Yarrow leaves appear similar to those of the wild carrot plant. Each stem on the plant grows to 8 to 16 inches. The leaves at the bottom are the largest, and they're evenly spaced along the stem. Yarrow leaves can grow from 1 1/4 to 6 inches long. They are shaped like a lance and feel feathery to the touch. These plants grow to about 2 feet tall and wide. Yarrow can be found in the wild along the side of the road, in waste areas and throughout prairie land.
  
  

History

• Achilles used common yarrow to treat the wounds on his soldiers when they fought the Trojans about 1200 B.C. The Greeks coined the name, Achilled, for the plant. The Cherokee Indians would drink a tea concocted from the yarrow to reduce fever and promote a restful sleep. Pawnee Indians collected the plant's stalk, as they thought it helped eliminate pain. According to Ohio State University, until the 1940's yarrow was promoted by drug companies for medical uses such as treating cuts.
  
  

Warnings

• Common yarrow causes allergic reactions in some people. Allergies appear as rashes and/or eczema.
  
  If you decide to plant yarrow, it can become invasive if left alone without tending. If yarrow thrives, either as a plant or weed in your yard, you may have to pay extra attention to the conditions of your soil. Yarrow prefers thin soil that isn't suitable for most other plants.
  
  

Facts

• Common yarrow produces 1,600 seeds throughout the year. Deer eat the plant in the wild, and sheep help cut down on infestations in pasture land. Yarrow is used as a tasty additive to omelets, although use only a small amount in when cooking. Putting too much in will overwhelm the whole plate. Sprinkle a tiny bit of yarrow into your soups for added zest. The leaves are sometimes used in a scented wine that is said to help with the digestive system.
  
  

Different Names

• Throughout the centuries, common yarrow has been called many different names, including fernweed, dog's daisy milfoil, little feather, sanguinary, squirrel tale and devil's nettle. Yarrow was derived from the old High German word "garawa."