June 7, 2009 - Yarrow

Welcome to the Nature Notebook.

Legend has it that yarrow, a white-blossomed wildflower of roadsides and fields, was used by the Greek hero Achilles on the battlefield to treat his soldier’s wounds.  This European plant was popular in folk medicine for treating bleeding, giving rise to its nickname staunchweed. Native Americans also used yarrow for medicinal purposes. Both native and introduced populations of yarrow exist in North America making it almost impossible to distinguish between the two. Although wild yarrow can be invasive, garden varieties are less so. The feathery-looking leaves and erect stem of wild plants are covered by fine white hairs adding to the whiteness of the flat-topped cluster of flowers. Although yarrow is no longer carried into battle today, it does add a delicate beauty where it grows and provides a source of nectar for butterflies and bees.

This is PPL's naturalist, Jon Beam, with the Nature Notebook for WVIA.