Clusters of tiny white daisy like flowers

Achillea millefolium, or Common Yarrow, is native to Michigan and doing quite well in front of the East Lansing Wild Birds Unlimited store this year. The plant has a strong, sweet scent, similar to chrysanthemums. The blooms are a cluster of tiny white flowers and the leaves look like fluffy green feathers.

Other common names for yarrow include gordaldo, nosebleed plant, old man's pepper, devil's nettle, sanguinary, milfoil, soldier's woundwort, thousand-leaf, and thousand-seal. The plant has a long history as a powerful “healing herb” used on cuts and abrasions.

Its leaves are thought to be good fertilizer, and a beneficial additive for compost. It is also beneficial to the health of other plants nearby.

Hummingbirds and bees are very attracted to the plants' nectar and many bird species use yarrow to line their nests perhaps to deter parasites.  

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Category › Nature up close