Achillea millefolium

Species category

Flower

Common name

common yarrow, milenrama, milfoil

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Oblong, oblanceolate to obovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.
, compressed

Size

  • Length: 2–2.5 mm
  • Width: 0.6–0.7 mm
  • Thickness: 0.1–0.1 mm

Color

Gray and black mottled

Texture

Smooth with indistinct longitudinal lines

Other structures

ApicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
end truncate with a pappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
. Style base lobed.

Identification notes

Black mottling is irregular. Ends yellow. AchenesAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
oblanceolate to obovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.
. Slightly winged at margins. Compressed in cross-section. Lustrous, gray center because the embryoEmbryo:
A rudimentary plant contained in a seed, usually consisting of a more or less differentiated axis and attached cotyledon(s).
shows through the papery acheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
coat. White, paper margins; epidermal cells longitudinally elongate; apicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
rim horizontal. Style base lobed. PappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
none.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Asteraceae

Valid name

Achillea millefolium L.

 Achillea millefolium.  Achenes are gray and black mottled. 
Achillea millefolium. Achenes are gray and black mottled. 
 Achillea millefolium.  Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
Achillea millefolium. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
 Achillea millefolium.  Face view (top) and lateral view (bottom) of two fruits, showing the basal fruit attachment scar on the left and the stylar remains on the right.  Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Achillea millefolium. Face view (top) and lateral view (bottom) of two fruits, showing the basal fruit attachment scar on the left and the stylar remains on the right.  Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Achillea millefolium.  Apex of two fruits, showing stylar remnant and flanged collar. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Achillea millefolium. Apex of two fruits, showing stylar remnant and flanged collar. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.