Common Name: Siberian Yarrow

General Information

Achillea alpina is an erect perennial plant growing about 30 - 75cm tall. The plant produces a mat of low growth that spreads by rhizomes with a cluster of flowering stems in the summer that sometimes branch higher up[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and food. The young shoots are sometimes sold in local food markets[]. Very ornamental, there are some named forms that are grown in gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - far eastern Russian Federation, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea; Northern N. America - Alaska to Quebec, south to British Colombia, Minnesota.

Habitat

Meadows, gardens, sandy slopes and dry areas[]. Meadows, forest edges, roadsides, lakeshores, along streams, in moist soils at elevations of 100 - 600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are tolerant of hot, humid summers and of drought[].
Succeeds in most soils but prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position[, ]. Avoid heavy clay soils, wet soils and rich, fertile soils[]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[]. They live longer when growing in a poor soil[].
A polymorphic species.
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots and leaves - cooked[, ].

Medicinal

The whole plant is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, odontalgic, stomachic and tonic[, , ]. A decoction is used in the treatment of abscesses, abdominal cramps, amenorrhoea, bleeding, falls, snakebite and stomach ulcers[, ].
A poultice of the chewed root can be applied to gum sores[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or early autumn in a cold frame[]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the divisions can be planted direct into their permanent positions.
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.