Bloomipedia
Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Photo: Steven Lamonde via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Common yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Introduced in the lower 48

Common yarrow is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 37 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–September.

50states
37of our state lists
124,001U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Quick look

Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Growing to 1 metre tall, it is characterized by small whitish flowers, a tall stem of fernlike leaves, and a pungent odor.

  • It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 50 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–September. iNaturalist
  • In Colorado, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–September. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early summer. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 3 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 6,484 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #17 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 5,987 research-grade sightings of it in Colorado, ranking #12 among the 110 flowers on our Colorado list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 4,956 research-grade sightings of it in New York, ranking #43 among the 109 flowers on our New York list. iNaturalist

Common yarrow gift ideas

Handmade common yarrow gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

  • Placeholder

    Common yarrow art print

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Common yarrow greeting card

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Common yarrow mug

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Common yarrow earrings

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Common yarrow embroidery pattern

    Gift pick coming soon

  • Placeholder

    Common yarrow sticker

    Gift pick coming soon

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (11,695 records)
Bloom time in each of our 37 states
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
WashingtonNativeMay–September6,484
ColoradoNativeJune–September5,987
New YorkNativeJune–September4,956
MassachusettsNativeJune–September4,635
PennsylvaniaIntroducedMay–August4,435
MinnesotaNativeJune–September4,323
MichiganNativeJune–October4,053
WisconsinNativeJune–September3,884
VirginiaNativeMay–October3,140
New JerseyNativeJune–September2,558
IllinoisNativeMay–July2,536
MarylandNativeMay–September2,433
OhioNativeMay–August2,261
MaineNativeJune–October2,218
MontanaNativeJune–September2,136
UtahNativeJune–September1,821
IdahoNativeMay–September1,790
New HampshireNativeJune–October1,763
OklahomaNativeApril–June1,542
VermontNativeJune–October1,506
WyomingNativeJune–October1,500
New MexicoNativeJune–September1,285
ConnecticutNativeMay–September1,211
ArizonaNativeJune–September1,138
MissouriNativeMay–June1,018
IndianaNativeMay–August807
KansasNativefew records792
Kentucky–May–July765
ArkansasNativeApril–June595
West VirginiaNativeMay–August594
Rhode IslandIntroducedJune–October519
South DakotaNativeMay–August484
NevadaNativeMay–August433
IowaNativeJune–July406
North DakotaNativeJune–October290
DelawareIntroducedMay–October288
NebraskaNativefew records267

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Colorado
No list Colorado has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Colorado ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Colorado.
New York
Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). NatureServe: S5, secure in New York. 6 NYCRR § 193.3
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Massachusetts. MESA list
Pennsylvania
Not listed Not on Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Pennsylvania. 17 Pa. Code Ch. 45
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Michigan. R 299.1028
Wisconsin
Not listed Not on Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Wisconsin. NR 27.03
Virginia
Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). NatureServe: S5, secure in Virginia. 2VAC5-320-10
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Illinois
Not listed Not on Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1050), per the Endangered Species Protection Board's 2025 checklist. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Illinois. IL E&T checklist 2025
Maryland
Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maryland. COMAR 08.03.08
Ohio
Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Ohio. OAC 1501:18-1-03
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: S5, secure in Maine. Maine rare plant list
Montana
No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Montana.
Utah
No list Utah has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Utah ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Utah.
Idaho
No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Idaho.
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Oklahoma
No list Oklahoma has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Oklahoma ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oklahoma.
Vermont
Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: S5, secure in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
Wyoming
No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Wyoming.
New Mexico
Not listed Not on New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Mexico. 19.21.2.9 NMAC
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: S5, secure in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
Arizona
Not listed Not on Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
Missouri
Not listed Not on Missouri Wildlife Code endangered species (3 CSR 10-4.111), plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Missouri. 3 CSR 10-4.111
Indiana
No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Indiana.
Kansas
No list Kansas's endangered and threatened list (K.A.R. 115-15-1) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's Kansas ranks for plants. NatureServe: S5, secure in Kansas.
Kentucky
Not listed Not on Kentucky endangered and threatened plant lists (400 KAR 3:040, eff. 2026). NatureServe has no Kentucky rank for it. 400 KAR 3:040
Arkansas
No list Arkansas has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Arkansas ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arkansas.
West Virginia
No list West Virginia has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (only federally listed species are protected), so we show NatureServe's West Virginia ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in West Virginia.
Rhode Island
Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Rhode Island. RI rare plants 2016
South Dakota
No list South Dakota's endangered and threatened list (ARSD 41:10:02) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's South Dakota ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in South Dakota.
Nevada
Not listed Not on Nevada fully protected plants, critically endangered (NAC 527.010). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Nevada. NAC 527.010
Iowa
Not listed Not on Iowa endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-77.3). NatureServe: S5, secure in Iowa. IAC 571-77.3
North Dakota
No list North Dakota has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's North Dakota ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in North Dakota.
Delaware
Not listed Not on Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Delaware. DE rare plants 2024
Nebraska
Not listed Not on Nebraska threatened and endangered species (163 Neb. Admin. Code ch. 4, § 004). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Nebraska. 163 NAC 4-004
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible (per NC State Extension)

NC State Extension notes: “Leaves and flowers are bitter, but can be eaten raw or cooked in moderation. They are used in salads and to make teas. The flowers and leaves are used in making some liquors and bitters.” NC State Extension

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Dog Daisy” (Achillea millefolium) lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records common yarrow in 50 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; District of Columbia.

Washington counties with USDA records: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima.

Colorado counties with USDA records: Alamosa, Archuleta, Boulder, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Elbert, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Gunnison, Huerfano, Jackson, Jefferson, La Plata, Lake, Larimer, Las Animas, Mesa, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Park, Pitkin, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, Teller.

New York counties with USDA records: Albany, Allegany, Bronx, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Kings, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Oswego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Westchester.

More Washington flowers

Goldenrods (Solidago)

Goldenrods

Solidago

★ KY state flowerNative

🌼 Blooms: July–October
White snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)

White snakeroot

Ageratina altissima

Native

🌼 Blooms: August–October
Sunflowers (Helianthus)

Sunflowers

Helianthus

★ KS state flowerNative

🌼 Blooms: June–October

Sources