American Yarrow
Achillea millefolium L. var. lanulosa (Nutt.

Collected at "Cape on the Kooskooskie" on 20 May 1806 when the expedition was camped near Kamiah in Idaho Co., Idaho. (Source)

Perennial herb with a strong odor.  Individual plants usually grow somewhat more than one foot tall, often producing several stems. The leaves are very finely divided and fernlike; the lower leaves have leaf stalks and are longer than the upper, non-petiolate ones. Flat topped with numerous minute white flowers often clustered about the same level. Each head has three to five white rays. Grows almost everywhere in dry to relatively moist soil and flowers from May through September.  Only two species grow in the Rockies.  First identified by Nuttall from plants collected by Wyeth in 1832-33. Found in southeastern Idaho.

Medicinal Uses:  
A decoction of everything except the root may be  gargled as a cure for sore throats  or as a wound dressing. The teas is used for a tonic and to treat colds and fevers by stimulating sweating and by lowering blood pressure.. Yarrow mixed with fat was used a hair dressing.  It can also be washed and crushed the roots to use for treating burns, and open sores.  The mashed leaves and roots were used as a pain-killer or for toothaches.  Bathing in infusions made of the leaves and stems was a suggested relief from rheumatism. Decoctions of the plant were used as a tonic or astringent.

Value for Animals:
American yarrow varies greatly in forage value, depending on locality and seasonal development. It is generally unpalatable, although wildlife occasionally consume the flowers. Cattle and horses usually do not graze American yarrow, but bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and deer may use it. They most often graze the flower heads. American yarrow provides fair forage for domestic sheep and goats.  Western yarrow is an important food of 4- to 8-week-old sage grouse chicks.  (Source)

Planting:
Succeeds in most soils and situations but prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position. Shade tolerant. Plants live longer when grown in a poor soil and also do well on lime. Established plants are very drought tolerant[200], they can show distress in very severe droughts but usually recover. It remains green after grass has turned brown in a drought. Plants succeed in maritime gardens. The plant has a very spreading root system and is usually quite invasive.

Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the divisions can be planted direct into their permanent positions. Divisions succeed at any time of the year.Basal cuttings of new shoots in spring. Very easy, collect the shoots when they are about 10cm tall, potting them up individually in pots and keeping them in a warm but lightly shaded position. They should root within 3 weeks and will be ready to plant out in the summer. (PFAF)

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