93 Yarrow Plant Facts You Probably Didn't Know About

Yarrow is a flowering plant that is scientifically known as Achillea millefolium.

This plant belongs to the family of Asteraceae. While yarrow originates from the northern hemisphere, including Asia, Europe, and North America, today it can be found all over the world.

The yarrow plant gets its name from the Greek hero Achilles, who used the plant, to treat his wounds. The yarrow plant is also known as the common yarrow. This common yarrow can live in various types of habitats such as grasslands, forests, mountains, meadows, deserts, and coastal regions. Read on to find more interesting yarrow plant facts.

Once you finish reading this fun facts article, you must also read rekated articles about plants in the arctic and interesting plants, here at Kidadl.

Types Of Yarrow Plants

Yarrow is called by many names. One of the most popular is the common yarrow. In addition to the various synonymous names, yarrow also has different subspecies that exist all over the world.

Apple blossom is a variety of yarrow that is a hybrid between Achillea millefolium and Achillea taygetea. It is also known as Apfelblute. The flowers of apple blossom have a purplish-pink color and, along with the stem, can have a height of about 18-24 in (45.72-60.96 cm) when they are mature.

Cerise Queen is a type of yarrow that is popular for its deep pink-colored flowers. Since it has a long vase life, it is good for decorating your house as well as an addition to your home garden.

Meanwhile, the common yarrow, which is also used as a synonym, is known as milfoil. This variety of yarrow is a white-flowered variety that is considered by many as an invasive type of yarrow. If the growth of the common yarrow isn't checked, it can overtake your garden.

Achillea filipendulina, or gold yarrow, is known for its bright yellow flower. This yellow flower is shaped like a saucer atop the stem of the yarrow plant. The gold yarrow has silvery green leaves that grow like ferns from the base of the plant.

Other types of yarrow plants include King Edward yarrow, moonshine yarrow, paprika yarrow, summer pastels yarrow, red yarrow, new vintage rose yarrow, and so on. Each of these species of yarrow has distinctive features that set them apart.

Characteristics Of Yarrow Plants

The plant yarrow is beneficial in many ways. Each type of yarrow has characteristics of the original plant and more of its own. Some of the interesting characteristics of this plant species are listed below.

Yarrow is a perennial plant, which means it lives for several years. It can have one or more stems, with the average height of the stem ranging from 7.92-39.36 in (20.11-99.97 cm). Yarrow flowers are white, red, or pink in color.

The shape of the flowers is rounded and like a flat-head. Yarrow flowers smell like the chrysanthemum flowers and majorly bloom in the period from May to June. Moreover, the flowers attract various pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.

An achene is a nut-like fruit produced by a yarrow plant with just one seed. The feathery leaves of the yarrow are enveloped in tiny hairs and arranged in a spiral manner around the stem.

The yarrow seed is useful for the cultivation of the plant along with its stem. Some of the bird species, such as the common startling, use the dried leaves of yarrow to build their nests.

During the 17th century, yarrow was utilized as food. It was an ingredient that was added to the soup recipes.

It was also used in combination with sweet gale and marsh rosemary to create a beer called 'fruit ale' in the medieval ages. Yarrow is also known as 'poor man's pepper' because of its bitter and pungent taste. When a cow eats too much yarrow, it can affect the milk too by adding a bitter taste to it.

Another synonym of yarrow is 'carpenter's weed'. The reason behind this synonym is that carpenters often use yarrow to stem the bleeding caused by cuts and wounds acquired during their work.

The essential oils from yarrow are also used to treat the common cold or influenza. However, the oils should be used cautiously as they can also cause severe allergic reactions.

Another health benefit of yarrow is that it aids in the treatment of rheumatism, sore throats, and toothaches. It helps to remove excess water from the body and regulates blood circulation.

Aside from the healing properties of yarrow, it is also considered an ornamental plant. The flower of this plant is quite attractive with its bright colors, and since the flower can last for a long time, yarrow is quite popular as a decorative flower.

Furthermore, the yarrow plant has some chemicals in it that repel rabbits and deers from eating it. It is also helpful in improving the quality of the soil and reducing the risk of erosion.

Classification Of Yarrow Plants

Yarrow is classified under the kingdom of Plantae. It also belongs to the scientific order of Asterales.

As mentioned in the beginning, yarrow is part of the Asteraceae family. Moreover, it belongs to the genus Achillea along with many other members of the family. Many varieties of yarrow have the suffix 'Achillea' in their botanical name. Meanwhile, the specific name 'millefolium' in 'Achillea millefolium' is used to refer to the common yarrow.

Yarrow Plant Symbolism

Apart from being a perennial herb, yarrow also signifies many other things. Some people believe that flowers have been symbols of love, certain emotions, and expressions for a long time in history. The meaning of yarrow is discussed below.

One of the believed significances of yarrow is for healing. This is because of the herbal properties of the plant, which are used to treat certain illnesses and cuts or wounds.

It is thus also related to Greek mythology. Yarrow also gives meaning to the Greek hero Achilles. Not only does the legend talk about Achilles using yarrow to treat his war wounds, but there is also a part that states that the plant grew from the ground where the rusted part of Achilles dropped.

Yarrow is also believed to represent inspiration. Some people believe that the plant signifies new life and new beginnings, which also involves the process of healing from the past self and life. And as learned from the past, flowers are always believed to be a symbol of love and happiness by some people worldwide.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 93 yarrow plant facts, then why not take a look at plant parts, or are algae plants.