Common Agrimony
Agrimonia eupatoria
Common Agrimony is a perennial herbaceous plant reaching heights of up to 100 centimeters. It is characterized by interruptedly pinnate leaves and long, spike-like racemes featuring small, yellow flowers. The species is widespread across Europe and prefers sunny forest edges, hedgerows, and nutrient-poor meadows. A distinctive feature is the cup-shaped fruit covered with hooked bristles, which facilitate long-distance dispersal by clinging to animal fur.
Details
Habitat function
Provides habitat for fringe communities and serves as a food source for various flying insects.
Nutrient uptake
Moderate uptake of nitrogen and minerals.
Food source for
Bees, hoverflies, beetles, and caterpillars of the Grizzled Skipper.
Human use
Traditional medicinal plant used for oral inflammations and diarrhea; formerly used for dyeing textiles yellow.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important source of nectar and pollen for pollinators; host plant for specialized insect larvae.
Natural predators
Caterpillars of the Grizzled Skipper, grazing by deer or rabbits.
Competitor species
Competitive tall grasses or encroaching woody species when land use is abandoned.
Ecosystem service
Soil stabilization via rhizomes, support of biodiversity by providing food for insects.
Threats
Intensification of grassland management, excessive mowing of road verges, eutrophication due to fertilizer input.
Scientific profile
Profile
Reproduction
Primarily generative via seeds; vegetative reproduction via the rhizome occurs to a small extent.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Intensification of grassland use (fertilization), abandonment of grazing (scrub encroachment), and premature mowing before seed ripening.