Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)

Agrimony is a perennial plant native to Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa which has naturalized in most of the US and Canada. It likes to grow in open fields, hedgerows and is often found on the edge of forests as if a protector of the land. Bright and beautiful yellow flower spikes appear on a downy stem about 20 inches or so tall. When in nature, Agrimony is a welcome site along the trail and typically blooms from midsummer through September. The seeds that follow are contained within burr-like cases that stick to passers by. The leaves are downy and serrated and pinnately divided and have more fuzz on the bottom of the leaf giving the undersides a silvery appearance. The entire plant exudes a sweet citrusy scent. The name Agrimony is derived from the word Argemone which was a word given by the Greeks to plants that were good for the eyes. The name Eupatoria refers to the Mithridates Eupator who was an Iranian king renowned for creating many herbal formulations. It is believed