- Latin nomenclature:
Achillea Millefolium L. - Common names:
Yarrow, Milfoil, Woundwort, Carpenter's Weed, Nosebleed,
Thousand-leaf, Thousand Seal, Thousand Weed, Soldier's Woundwort,
Staunchweed.
Achillée millefeuille, Herbe à Dinde, Herbe aux Militaires,
Herbe de la St-Jean
Jordhumle ("earth hop")
Backhumle, Akerhumle, Skoghumle, Almindelig røllike, Finbladet røllike,
Soldaterurt, Tømrerurt
in Jutland: brygger ("brewer"), gjedebrygger ("goat brewer")
Vallhumall ("meadow hops"), Jardhumall ("earth hops")
Ryllik, Hardhaus ("hardhead")
Siankärsämö, Aivastusjuuri, Akantupakki, Hurstinkukka, Pietarinkukka,
Pyörtänäpöllö, Pyörtänöpöllö, Siankärsäheinä.
Schafgarbe, Wiesen-Schafgarbe, Bauchwehkraut,
Blutstillkraut, Garbenkraut, Tausendblatt, Tausendblättchen.
Milenrama
the Romans: Herba militaris (soldier's grass)
the Dakota: tao-pi pezu'ta (medicine for the wounded) - Availability:
currently available at the Gruit House
- Parts used: The whole plant, preferably dried leaves and flowers.
- Aroma & taste: A rather bitter, astringent taste with a mild aroma.Its taste is not overwhelming and is quite delicious in brewing, especially if the aromatics are brought into the ale.
- Brewing method: Yarrow brings both a complementary bittering action and preservative action through its antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. The tannins and astringent action being stronger in the leaves, these should be boiled as with hops. On the other hand, the flowering head of the plant contains delicate aromatics that would be lost in the boil, hence it is recommended to steep the flowers in the hot wort as it cools, or simply add them to the fermentation vessel in the same manner as dry hopping.
- Recipes: Skullsplitter beer, St. Emilian’s Day Gruit Ale, Basic Gruit Ale , Modern Gruit Ale , Modern Gruit Ale Variations , Fourteenth Century Gruit Ale
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTIONYarrow is a wide-spread plant commonly found in Europe, temperate Asia and North America. The yarrow plant will usually reach heights of about 60cm / 24in and bear white to pale lilac. It will flower from late April through October, depending on the area. The flowers are like minute daisies, in flattened, terminal, loose heads, or cymes. The whole plant is more or less hairy, with white, silky appressed hairs.
The stem is angular and rough, the leaves alternate, 7-10cm / 3-4in long and 2-3cm / 1in broad, clasping the stem at the base, bipinnatifid, the segments very finely cut, giving the leaves a feathery appearance to which it owes its name (Millefolium meaning thousand-leaved).
Common yarrow is a drought tolerant species of which there are several different ornamental cultivars. Plant the seeds no more than 60mm / ¼in deep due to the need of light for germination. The seeds also require a temperature range of 18-23°C / 65-75°F. Common yarrow responds best to soil that is poorly developed and well drained. The plant has a relatively short life. To prolong the life of the plant, divide the plant every other year and plant 30-45cm / 12-18in apart. Common yarrow is a weedy species and can become invasive. Proper care should be used to control the spread of the plant from its desired growing location.
This picture was taken at on the grounds of the Jardin botanique de Montréal as part of a simple landscape arrangement. As such, I have seen often in home gardens and city parcs.
This is particular type of northern yarrow: Achillea nigrescens. The stalk is of a much darker color and as the bloom comes to an end some leaves turn to a strong, almost black purple.
Achillea nigrescens flowers in Northern Québec.
Younger plants have a fern like look. Notice the feathery leaves which have given yarrow it's name: millefolium (thousand leaves).
In Northern Québec, I've often seen yarrow happily growing in sandy, gravelly and stony areas, along roads and newly disturbed areas in and around villages.
