Agrimonies
What are they?
The name 'Agrimonia' comes from an ancient Greek name for a herbal plant, but has been used for a handful of sometimes unrelated species. As a scientific name, Linnaeus applied the word to a group of perennial herbs in the Rose family (Rosaceae) and related to the Geum genus or avens. Agrimonies are rather tall, slender, upright species with pinnate leaves and a narrow spike of yellow flowers. They have a typical suite of rose family features that include five-petalled flowers and stipules at the base of the compound leaves.
Where are they found?
These are plants of open, grassy places in meadows, commons and on roadside verges.
Identification
The differences between our two species are rather subtle and they are most easily told apart by their fruits, including the arrangement of the spines on them and their overall shape.
Common Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria
Native. Common and widespread in grassy places, being uncommon or absent on the most acidic soils. Flowers June to August. Forms an upright spike to around a metre in height. Stems have scattered, long, white hairs with a thicker underlayer of short hairs. Mature fruits obconical in shape, with clearly fluted sides and hooked bristles which are mostly not reflexed.
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
Fragrant Agrimony Agrimonia procera
Native. Widespread but uncommon in grassy places and more typically keeping to heavier, clay soils. Although uncommon, some protected roadside colonies are quite extensive. Flowers June to August. Forms an upright spike to around a metre or more in height. Leaves typically have longer and narrower leaflets than those of Common Agrimony. Stems have scattered, long, white hairs and a scattering of glandular hairs. Mature fruits typically broader than those of Common Agrimony with only weakly fluted sides and hooked bristles that are reflexed towards the base.
| |
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
|