Yarrow

Common name: Yarrow

Botanical name: Achillea millifolium

Family: Asteraceae

Life cycle: Perennial

Habitat: Yarrow, sometimes called 'Milfoil' is a very common weed in fine turf. It favours light, dry, sandy soils that are often undernourished. It can be a good indicator that a soil is lacking in nutrients and needs feeding. Yarrow is very resistant to drought.

Leaf: The long, narrow leaves are fern like and feathery to touch. If they are rubbed together or crushed, they give off a strong fragrant scent.

Flowers: The white coloured flowers are borne in clusters. They are commonly seen between July and October.

Removal & control: Yarrow is a difficult weed to control, both culturally and with chemicals. Hand weeding may only be practical is the weed is low in numbers.

This weed is resistant to most selective weed killers and in almost all cases, further applications will be necessary. Even then success may be somewhat limited.