Yarrow

This page is about the plant named Yarrow. See also: River Yarrow and Yarrow algorithm

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Yarrow
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Achillea Species: millefolium
Binomial name
Achillea millefolium

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a common herb found throughout North America and Europe. It has finely divided, almost feathery leaves, and tiny white flowers that form a flat-topped cluster. It grows in fields and urban waste places, flowering throughout the summer. Can be planted to combat soil erosion because it is resistant to drought.

The herb is purported to be a diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, stimulant and mild aromatic.

The stalks of yarrow are dried and used as a randomising agent in I Ching divination.

Synonyms for Yarrow include Bloodwort, Staunchweed, Nose Bleed, Milfoil, Knight's Milfoil, Old Man's Pepper, Soldier's Woundwort, Herbe Militaris, Thousand Weed, Carpenter's Weed, Sanguinary, Devil's Plaything, Bad Man's Plaything, Devil's Nettle and Yarroway.

The English name Yarrow comes from the Saxon and Dutch words 'Gearwe' and 'Yerw' respectively.