Common yarrow

Discuss this plant with the guide — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

Achillea millefolium

Low-water garden plant. S03 S07

Toxic to pets · Skin irritation. Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. Exposure help.

Still researching this plant

This is a sourced working profile. The cited findings are available below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.

Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

**flower** — White flower-head cluster viewed from above, with individual ray and disk florets visible.
Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.
Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

**habit** — Upright flowering yarrow stems with white flat-topped clusters growing among grasses.
Daniel VILLAFRUELA . · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.
Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

**leaf** — Finely divided, featherlike yarrow leaves along a hairy stem.
Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.
Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

Recognize

Finely divided, fernlike leaves and flat-topped clusters of small flowers. Native range includes North America, Europe, and Asia; cultivated forms vary. S07

Plants & habitat

Tolerates drought and feeds pollinators, but can spread aggressively through underground stems and seed. S07

People

Contact can cause dermatitis. Gloves reduce skin contact during garden work. S07

Dogs & cats

Toxic to dogs and cats. Reported signs include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and dermatitis. S08

Other animals

Also toxic to horses. ASPCA includes colic among reported signs; do not infer safety for other livestock. S08

Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. S27

References

S03 — Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens: Front Range & Foothills, Colorado Native Plant Society / CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:53+00:00. Locator: Plant table: Asclepias speciosa and Achillea millefolium.
S07 — Achillea millefolium, NC State Extension · Plant Toolbox. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:53+00:00. Locator: Description; Problems; Wildlife Value.
S08 — Yarrow, ASPCA Poison Control. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:53+00:00. Locator: Scientific Name; Toxicity; Clinical Signs.

Content revised 2026-09-07 02:43:00Z · Source checks dated separately in the references.