Agrimonia eupatoria L., Agrimony

Account Summary

Growth form and preferred habitats

This variable, 30-50(-150) cm tall, erect, yellow- flowered, rhizomatous perennial with 3-6 pairs of large pinnate leaves and small leaflets between them, occurs as scattered individuals on dry, well-drained, rough grassy places in lowland areas. It prefers calcareous or basic soils that are near-neutral in reaction. A. eupatoria typically grows on drier hedgebanks, sloping wayside verges, lakeshore meadows and on the margins and in openings in woodlands and scrub in conditions of full sun to half-shade. The types of habitat suggest that it is well able to compete with tall grasses and other herbs and it can also tolerate occasional mowing or light grazing pressure (Sinker et al. 1985). Sheep and goats will browse on the plant, but horses, cattle and pigs leave it alone (Grieve 1931).

As a result of its dispersed individual nature, ± unbranched form and occasional occurrence, Agrimony is really only conspicuous when it produces its long, slender, tapering, spike-like racemes of yellow flowers. The vegetative differences between A. eupatoria and the closely related, usually taller, larger and coarser A. procera Wallr. (Fragrant Agrimony) are rather slight and, despite the English common name of the latter, leaves of both species give off a fragrant balsamic scent when crushed. For this reason, ripe fruits really are the only certain character to distinguish the two species (Stace 2019).

Flowering reproduction

In common with many members of the Rosaceae, plants of A. eupatoria possess a rather woody, perennating rhizome, but there is very little vegetative spread and for its reproductive increase and dispersal the species relies entirely on seed (Butcher 1961). Plants flower from June to August, developing long, terminal, rod- or spike-like racemes of numerous, closely clustered, small, 5-8 mm diameter, bright yellow, 5-merous flowers each containing just two carpels in a deeply concave, cup- or top-shaped ribbed hypanthium or receptacle. While it is purely a pollen blossom, containing no nectar, the spike gives off a spicy odour like apricots and manages to attract bees, flies and other small insects which pollinate it. Failing this, the flowers frequently self-pollinate (Clapham et al. 1964; Garrard & Streeter 1983; Fitter 1987).

The pendant, now rather woody fruits contain only one or two seeds and are bell- or top-shaped, armed around their apex rim with numerous stiff bristles hooked at the tip. The spike or raceme elongates considerably after fertilization has taken place. The fruits thus function as burrs, attaching firmly to the rough coats of passing animals or human clothing in a very efficient form of seed dispersal along roadsides or in pastures (Ridley 1930, p. 590).

Uses and names

A. eupatoria has a long history as a medicinal herb with magical properties dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times, Pliny and Dioscorides. The ancient Greeks knew it as 'Argemone' and prescribed it along with other similar herbs in the treatment of eye complaints (Le Strange 1977). Dioscorides recommended Agrimony for the treatment of snake bites, dysentery and liver complaints. In Anglo-Saxon B & I, it was regarded as 'a simple' and was well known to all country-folk as one of the best herbs for external salves, healing all kinds of wounds and sores, including bites, battle-wounds and warts.

Agrimony (both A. eupatoria and the less common A. procera), was one of 57 herbs in the Anglo-Saxon magical 'Holy Salve', said to provide active protection against goblins, evil and poisons. It was also valued in medieval times for its astringent, diuretic properties, which kept it popular for a long period in herbal medicine for sprains and bruises (Grieve 1931). In addition to collection of the herb in the field, A. eupatoria was brought into garden cultivation for medicinal use and as a dye plant (see below). It is very easy to grow (Miller 1741; Grieve 1931; Grigson 1987).

By the end of the 16th century, the herb was being taken internally, mainly used to make a tea as a mild tonic and stimulant. It was considered a general prophylactic and purifier of the system, as well as a treatment for sore throats and the worst sort of colds and coughs (Le Strange 1977). However, it was also recommended for more serious ailments such as rheumatism, backache and ailments of the liver, kidneys and bladder including jaundice (Grieve 1931; Darwin 1996; Allen & Hatfield 2004). When introduced to N America, A. eupatoria was said to have been used to treat fevers with great success by the Indians and Canadians (Grieve 1931). There is a widespread N American species equivalent in the related A. striata Michx. (Hultén & Fries 1986, Map 1086).

In the autumn, when it is gathered, the whole plant yields a pale yellow dye, but later in the season the colour becomes stronger (Grieve 1931).

Numerous English common names allude to these folk medicinal and magical supernatural uses, such as 'Tea plant', 'Aaron's Rod' and 'Fairy's Rod', but other names refer more directly to the clinging burr fruits, including 'Clot-bur', 'Cockle-burr', 'Stickwort', Stickle-wort', 'Sweethearts' and 'Harvest-lice' (Grigson 1987).

The question of status

A. eupatoria is usually regarded as native in both B & I and there have been a couple of fossil fruits found in two earlier interglacial periods (Hoxnian and Ipswichian), but not in the current Flandrian (Littletonian) warm period. However, there is a pollen record from Zone VIIb of the Flandrian, although it is only regarded as tentative (Godwin 1975, p. 194). Later finds date from the Neolithic and Bronze Age (Sub-boreal), Roman and Medieval periods, suggesting that the species could have been introduced to B & I by Neolithic or later farmers and traders along with numerous other weed and ruderal species, making it an archaeophyte (an ancient introduction) (Godwin 1975, Table 43).

In view of its ancient and longstanding herbal reputation and use, A. eupatoria could well be an intrusive introduction, brought into cultivation and spread from gardens into wayside habitats, as suggested or hinted at by Allen & Hatfield (2004).

Fermanagh occurrence

In Fermanagh, A. eupatoria is occasionally recorded in 39 tetrads, 7.4% of those in the VC. It has not been found in seven of these tetrads during the post-1975 period, however, which suggests something of a species decline that is also noticeable across much of B & I at the hectad level in the New Atlas. Locally, Agrimony is chiefly associated with hedgebanks and lakeshore meadows, especially along the Lough Erne basin, being very much more occasional on limestone elsewhere in the VC.

The association of many of the Fermanagh records with lakeshores suggests fruit dispersal could not only engage the coats of animals and man, but might also involve flotation in water. Ridley (1930, p. 208) quotes work by Praeger (1913) on buoyancy of fruits and seeds, mentioning that A. eupatoria is unusual amongst Rosaceae in that its fruits remain afloat for up to a week, while most other herbaceous members of the family manage only 2.5 days.

British and Irish occurrence

Although certainly an uncommon species in Fermanagh and N Ireland, it is fairly frequent and widespread throughout Ireland as a whole, although probably with something of a southern and eastern bias in its occurrence. In Britain, it is widespread: more common in the S & E, but increasingly scarce northwards and absent in a good part of C Wales and in N Scotland (New Atlas).

European and world occurrence

In Flora Europaea 2: 32 (Tutin et al. 1968) three subspecies are listed, but they are rather ill-defined and completely intergrade in parts of S & E Europe and it is probably better to ignore them when considering the species range (Kurrto et al. 2004). As a native, A. eupatoria stretches from 64°N on the W coast of Norway, throughout all of temperate Europe and adjacent parts of N Africa and Asia (Hultén & Fries 1986, Map 1086; Kurrto et al. 2004, Map 3340). Agrimony is also widely introduced and naturalized from the Azores to S Africa, New Zealand and a few eastern states of N America.

Threats

None.

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