Wholesale Agrimony

01.
A Bit of Botany

a bit of botanical information on agrimony

description
Agrimony is dark green perennial member of the Rosaceae family (Rose family) with numerous soft hairs. The soft hairs aid in the seed pods sticking to any animal or person coming in contact with the plant. The flower spikes have a spicy odor like apricots.

It can reach heights of 3-4 feet. Its roots are deep rhizomes, from which spring the stems. It is characterized by its typical serrated edged pinnate leaves.

The short-stemmed, yellow flowers appear from June to September, in long, spike-like inflorescences. The single flower has an urn-shaped curved flower cup; the upper edge has several rows of soft, curved hook-shaped bristles. The flower has fivefold radial symmetry (five sepals, five petals, and so on). The flowers with their abundant pollen supply attract hoverflies, flies and honey bees. The pollinated flowers develop fruits with burs. These attach to passing grazing animals such as cattle, sheep and deer and are spread over a large area.

common names
& nomenclature
The name Agrimony comes from the Greek Argemone, which means a plant that is healing to the eyes, although Agrimony isn't often used in this capacity. Eupetoria is a reference to a king who died in 63 BC and was renowned for his herbal skill and knowledge. Also called Church Steeples for how the flower spikes stand up straight and tall, known as Cockleburr & Sticklewort for the burrs on the fruit that can stick to the fur of passing animals.

Also known as:
common agrimony, cockleburr, cocklebur, stickwort, church steeples, sticklewort, philanthropos, ackerkraut, agrimonia, funffing, herbe de saint-guillaume, liverwort, stickwort, acrimony, harvest lice, aigremoine, odermennig, agrimonia, herba agrimoniae, agrimoniae herba, burr marigold, and garclive

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for agrimony

Agrimony is a perennial native to Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa that has naturalized to most of the US and Canada. It grows in open areas, fields, wastelands and hedgerows.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing agrimony

climate
Agrimony prefers full sun, but the plant is sturdy and can also tolerate partial shade.

soil
All types of wetlands and marshes, wet meadows, and general open areas are the kinds of habitats where this native European herb is likely to be found.

It is naturally adapted to growth on alkaline soils, it can however, tolerate slightly acidic soil in most cases. The herb will require water during the dry periods or it will fail to flower-this is despite the fact that the plant itself is quite easy to cultivate on dry soils.

growing
Agrimony should be sown from seed in winter, or they may be stratified by putting them in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks before spring planting. Sow on open ground, it will self-seed once it has become established in the soil. Agrimony is an invasive perennial so you'll need to be vigilant to make sure it doesn't take over your garden space.

harvesting
Agrimony can be harvested midsummer or when the flowers just come into bloom. Cut the whole plant and hang outside to dry. Or harvest the leaves as needed.

preserving
The leaves, flowers, and stems can be used fresh in herbal remedies or then may be dried and stored for use at a later time.

To dry, find a shaded location out of direct sunlight to dry agrimony. Carefully spread out the leaves, flowers, and stems on a wire rack – the location should be kept dry and warm at all times. Airtight jars can be used to store the powdered and crumbled down plant material — these can then be placed in storage and the powder can be used as and when needed.

04.
The Rest of The Story

agrimony history, folklore, literature & more