Family: Rose
Season: summer-fall

Last Update: 30Apr99

(Jun-96; Danby SF)

(JSep-96; Danby SF - burrs)

Agrimony

A very common flower/burr of fields and wood edge; really likes trail edges. Simple, small, 5-part, yellow flowers on a long stalk. Leaves in multiple toothed parts, at least 3 parts, with small leaflets in between (variable). Plants rather short in woodland settings (1-2'), but can be quite tall and agressive in fields (4-5'). Seed-burrs are cone-like with "prickle brim" around the circle; quite identifyable - very sock-attaching.

Apparently Agrimony was an herbal fad in the 19th century. An herb to, ahem, promote sexual function. Oddly, depending on concoction, it could also suppress function ;). Anyhow, this is perhaps why "agrimony" is also a word meaning "marital strife".