Common Agrimony

Common Agrimony
Common Agrimony. Agrimonia gryposepala.
Rosaceae, the rose family.

Description:
Plant: Erect, sparsely hairy plant, 1'-5', with a wand of small yellow flowers rising above compound leaves. Perennial.
Flowers: Yellow, about 1/4" wide, with five petals, several stamens, and five sepals covered with hooked bristles. Flowers are short-stalked, and borne on a slender spike-like raceme that rises above the leaves.
Leaves: Alternate, pinnately compound with five to nine toothed, obovate to ovate leaflets. Frequently one or more pairs of tiny leaflets will occur between the main ones.
Fruit: Seed-like, top-shaped, and covered with hooked bristles.
Blooming: July-August
Habitat: Thickets, clearings, open woods.

Comments: There are several similar agrimonies in our area, distinguished by hairiness and details of the leaves. The genus is similar to the Avens (Geum) which also have fruit with hooked bristles, but bear flowers in open clusters rather than spike-like racemes.

Where to find it: At the edge of the woods near the picnic shelter.