Fernleaf yarrow

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

Achillea filipendulina

Introduced drought-tolerant perennial. N-achillea-filipendulina

Spreads; pet toxicity unresolved. Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. Exposure help.

Identification caveat: Do not merge this taxon with Achillea millefolium solely because both are called yarrow.

Still researching this plant

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for People, Dogs & cats, Other animals. Identification and source-photo limits are explained 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** — Macro view of a domed-to-flat cluster of small golden-yellow flower heads.
Yerpo · CC BY-SA 3.0
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 and leaf** — Upright yellow-flowering yarrow in bare stony soil, with fernlike divided leaves visible down the stems.
Stefan.lefnaer · 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.

**garden habit** — Tall garden clump with many flat golden-yellow flower clusters above fernlike green foliage.
Andrea Moro · 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

Tall stems hold flat yellow flower clusters above fern-like green leaves. N-achillea-filipendulina

Plants & habitat

Tolerates dry sites and can crowd its space; divide as needed and avoid overwatering. Cultivars differ in seed production. N-achillea-filipendulina

People

This species-specific horticultural source does not establish human ingestion safety. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

Dogs & cats

The ASPCA yarrow entry names Achillea millefolium. It does not resolve toxicity for A. filipendulina; prevent chewing while this gap remains. S08

Other animals

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

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

N-achillea-filipendulina — Achillea filipendulina — Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:59+00:00. Locator: Description, Attributes, Poisonous to Humans, Problems.
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.