Agrimony, Salt and Pepper
Agrimonia eupatoria

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A perennial herb growing 60 cm high and 45 cm across. The leaves are 20 cm long. These have up to 14 pairs of leaflets. They have bristles underneath. The flowers occur in clusters. These are open flower heads. They are yellow. They are born on the stem.

There are 15 Agrimonia species. They grow in the northern temperate zones. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It usually grows on alkaline soils and in sunny positions. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Andorra, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, China, East Africa, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Netherlands, North America, Portugal, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, Southern Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Türkiye, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fresh or dried leaves, flowers and stems are used to make a refreshing tea. The seed are dried and ground into flour as an emergency food. The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves - tea, vegetable

How it is grown

Fresh seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 13°C. Seeds can be sown in a nursery then transplanted out. Plants can also be grown by division of the clump.

Its other names

Local names

Agrimonia, Bojtorjan, Bojtorvan, Church Steeples, Cocklebur, Hemp agrimony, Liverwort, Navadni repik, Parlofu, Petrovac, Repcsik, Sticklewort, Tudofu

Synonyms

Agrimonia odorata (Gouan.) Mill.; Agrimonia procera;