Rare Species Guide

  Synonyms

Achillea sibirica

  Basis for Listing

Achillea alpina (Siberian yarrow) was listed as state threatened in 1996 because of concern for the vulnerability of the small population known to occur in Minnesota at that time. The species was discovered in Minnesota in 1939 at a site north of Longworth in Roseau County, near the Canadian border (Agassiz Lowlands Subsection). It was not relocated there, or elsewhere, until 1983 when a Minnesota DNR botanist returned to the original collection site and found a colony of more than 50 plants. In 1992, an undocumented sighting was reported from a swamp along the Moose River in nearby Marshall County (Aspen Parklands Subsection). This site awaits further investigation. A well-documented discovery was made in Koochiching County (Border Lakes Subsection) in 2014, raising the number of documented populations to only two. Although surveys of remote sites in Roseau, Kittson, and Marshall Counties have not resulted in the discovery of any additional populations, these counties still have large tracts of nearly inaccessible land that could potentially harbor additional populations. 

  Description

Achillea alpina is a perennial herb 50-80 cm (20-31 in.) tall with white flowers. A terminal inflorescence is comprised of 10-25+ heads, each head with 6-8 ray flowers and 25-30 disk flowers. This species is easily distinguished from other Achillea species by its simple, pinnatifid, incised leaves with narrow closely set segments. The common A. millefolium (pearly yarrow) has bipinnately dissected leaves, and A. ptarmica (sneezeweed) has simply serrate leaves.

  Habitat

In Minnesota and throughout its range, A. alpina occurs in open woods, shallow swamps, and margins of wet meadows. Minnesota habitats are in the far northwest part of the state and occur in loamy soil in sunny or partially shaded wetland edges.

  Biology / Life History

Achillea alpina is a monoecious, perennial that flowers in late summer. It is insect-pollinated, but little more is known about the life history of this species. The population in Roseau County has a history of observation that spans nearly 45 years. This could indicate the species' ability to maintain a long-term presence in suitable habitat.

  Conservation / Management

Threats to A. alpina habitat have not been thoroughly analyzed but likely include land use practices that would directly degrade the habitat or indirectly change the hydrology of the site. Activities that may require conservation considerations include agricultural practices, livestock grazing, forest management, drainage projects, and herbicide treatments.

  Best Time to Search

The best time to search for Achillea alpina is when the plants are in flower from July through August. Plants are identified most readily in flower but may also be distinguished by their unique leaf structure.

  Conservation Efforts in Minnesota

One of the three documented occurrences of A. alpina is in a state-managed wildlife area, another is in a state forest. However, no specific conservation efforts have yet been undertaken on behalf of this species.

  Authors/Revisions

Welby R. Smith (MNDNR), 2021

(Note: all content ©MNDNR)

  References and Additional Information

Trock, D. K. 2006. Achillea. Pages 492-494 in Flora of North America Editorial Committee, editors. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Volume 19. Oxford University Press, New York, New York.