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common yarrow
common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) [nonnative]
Features and Behaviors
FEATURES
Common yarrow is also known as milfoil. This perennial herb has feathery, fernlike leaves that are arranged alternately along its upright stem. The lower leaves may grow to 10 inches in length. The stem may be smooth or hairy and branched or unbranched. Flowers are arranged in flat clusters at the stem tip. Two types of flowers are present. The outer flowers are white and raylike (up to six in number), while the inner flowers are yellow and tubular. Both types of flowers are fertile. The one-seeded fruit is dry and hard. Common yarrow may grow from one to three feet tall.
BEHAVIORS
Common yarrow may be found throughout Illinois. It grows in fields, field edges and roadsides. Flowers are produced from May through August. Common yarrow is a native of Europe that was transported to the United States with early settlers and has spread tremendously.
Illinois Range
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Illinois Status: common, nonnative
