Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria
 
Family – Rosaceae, Rose family
Perennial – up to 70 cm tall c. 20 cm spread
Flowering – June to September
Soils – Neutral
Sun – Full sun or partial shade  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Native to Europe and Southwestern Asia, Common agrimony grows in damp meadows, among shrubs and on the banks of streams. It is cultivated in some countries for medical use. The flowers attract many insects and pollinated flowers develop fruits with hooked burs which are dispersed on grazing animals such as deer and sheep (and on our clothing). The plant is found in young grasslands under fifty years old.
 
It was first recorded by Turner in 1551, “groweth among bushes and hedges and in myddowea and woddes in all countries in great plenty”.1.
 
The name Agrimonia is thought to be a mistranscription of "argemonia" – a poppy which was also used to treat cataracts. The specific name is from Mithridates Eupator (135-62 BCE) who was the king of Pontus, a region on the southeast coast of the Black Sea.  Its common names include Aaron’s rod, bishop’s rod, rat’s tails, sweethearts and money-in-both-pockets. It was also called tea-flower, since the dried herb was very popular as a cheap tea substitute. Vickery mentions use of the tea for various ailments including chesty coughs.2.   In the UK it was said that a sprig of Agrimony laid under a person’s head would make them sleep until it was removed. Culpeper considered it good for gout, jaundice and the bowels, and mixed with “old swine’s grease”, good for ulcers and “draws forth thorns and splinters”.3.
 
It is patronised by all varieties of bees for pollen but does not yield nectar.4.  It supports about a dozen insect species, and is the food plant for caterpillars of the grizzled skipper butterfly Pyrgus malvae.5.
 
 
References
 
1.  Pearman, D. 2017. The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, A compilation of the first records for 1670 species and aggregates, covering Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. p 85
 
2.  Vickery, R. 2019. Vickery’s Folk Flora, An A to Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London.p5
 
3.  Culpeper’s complete herbal (2019) ed. Steven Foster Sterling New York p 3-4
 
4.  Kirk, W.D.J and Howes, F.N. (2012) Plants for bees. International Bee Research Association p. 60
 
5.  Biological Records Office database 
 
Page written by Camilla Lambrick and Ceri Leigh.  Compiled by Steve Head
 
 
The less common fragrant agrimony Agrimonia procera is often on more nutrient rich and slightly acidic woodland margins. The leaves are covered in glandular hairs, which when crushed give a fruity smell. Procera is the Latin for tall.
Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria
 
Family – Rosaceae, Rose family
Perennial – up to 70 cm tall c. 20 cm spread
Flowering – June to September
Soils – Neutral
Sun – Full sun or partial shade
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The less common fragrant agrimony Agrimonia procera is often on more nutrient rich and slightly acidic woodland margins. The leaves are covered in glandular hairs, which when crushed give a fruity smell. Procera is the Latin for tall.
References
 
1.  Pearman, D. 2017. The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland, A compilation of the first records for 1670 species and aggregates, covering Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland. p 85
 
2.  Vickery, R. 2019. Vickery’s Folk Flora, An A to Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London.p5
 
3.  Culpeper’s complete herbal (2019) ed. Steven Foster Sterling New York p 3-4
 
4.  Kirk, W.D.J and Howes, F.N. (2012) Plants for bees. International Bee Research Association p. 60
 
5.  Biological Records Office database 
 
Page written by Camilla Lambrick and Ceri Leigh.  Compiled by Steve Head
 
Native to Europe and Southwestern Asia, common agrimony grows in damp meadows, among shrubs and on the banks of streams. It is cultivated in some countries for medical use. The flowers attract many insects and pollinated flowers develop fruits with hooked burs which are dispersed on grazing animals such as deer and sheep (and on our clothing). The plant is found in young grasslands under fifty years old.
 
It was first recorded by Turner in 1551, “groweth among bushes and hedges and in myddowea and woddes in all countries in great plenty”.1.
 
The name Agrimonia is thought to be a mistranscription of "argemonia" – a poppy which was also used to treat cataracts. The specific name is from Mithridates Eupator (135-62 BCE) who was the king of Pontus, a region on the southeast coast of the Black Sea.  Its common names include Aaron’s rod, bishop’s rod, rat’s tails, sweethearts and money-in-both-pockets. It was also called tea-flower, since the dried herb was very popular as a cheap tea substitute. Vickery mentions use of the tea for various ailments including chesty coughs.2.   In the UK it was said that a sprig of Agrimony laid under a person’s head would make them sleep until it was removed. Culpeper considered it good for gout, jaundice and the bowels, and mixed with “old swine’s grease”, good for ulcers and “draws forth thorns and splinters”.3.
 
It is patronised by all varieties of bees for pollen but does not yield nectar.4.  It supports about a dozen insect species, and is the food plant for caterpillars of the grizzled skipper butterfly Pyrgus malvae.5.
 
 
           Garden Wildplants
        Garden Wildplants