Fauna
Plant

Fern-leaf Yarrow

Achillea filipendulina

Also known as Fernleaf Yarrow, Gold Plate Yarrow, Golden Yarrow, Cloth of Gold

Fern-leaf yarrow towers above most other yarrows, casting tall, sturdy stems topped with dense, flat-topped golden flower clusters. Its deeply dissected, gray-green foliage releases a spicy, aromatic scent when brushed or bruised. Native to sunny meadows and stony slopes across Central Asia, this resilient perennial attracts a vast array of beneficial pollinators while thriving in dry, nutrient-poor soils.

AromaticFloweringDrought-Tolerant
Fern-leaf Yarrow reference1 / 7
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Aphids
  • Slugs
  • Spittlebugs
ThreatsHabitat loss in native range, localized land clearing
HabitatsGrasslands, dry meadows, rocky slopes, cultivated gardens
Life spanPerennial (5–10 years)
Classification
  1. OrderAsterales
  2. FamilyAsteraceae
  3. GenusAchillea
  4. SpeciesAchillea filipendulina
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Foliage can cause mild skin irritation and is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested.
Why it is dangerous
Contains sesquiterpene lactones and volatile oils that cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals and gastrointestinal upset in pets.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for tall stems bearing dense, flat-topped mustard-yellow flower clusters above feathery, aromatic green leaves.
What to do
Wear gloves when pruning or handling foliage, and keep plants away from grazing domestic pets.
Responsible observation
  • Pruning: Cut back spent flower heads to encourage a second flush of blooms in late summer.
  • Handling: Wear gardening gloves when handling stems to prevent mild contact dermatitis from natural plant oils.
  • Observing Pollinators: Stand near sunny blooms during warm afternoons to watch beneficial predatory insects feeding.
Related species
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