Hemp-agrimony - Eupatorium cannabinum
Irish name - Scothóg Mhuire
Daisy family - Asteraceae (formally Compositae)
Hemp-agrimony is a tall perennial wildflower that prefers damp grassland and marshes, sometimes occurring in wet woodland. The root-stock is woody and produces round stems, up to 120cm in height.
The stems bear a reddish tinge and are covered with downy hair. Also, when cut it exudes a pleasant, aromatic smell. The basal leaves are on stalks, but the stem leaves are borne on very short stalks. The leaves consist of three (rarely five) leaflets, long and toothed, superficially resembling hemp – hence the English and Latin names. The leaves are opposite
Hemp-agrimony flowers in late summer and autumn (July to September). Its flower heads are small and consist of 5-6 reddish-pink, tubular florets. These are grouped into panicles (much larger groups of flowers on small ‘branches’), creating the appearance of much larger flower heads. The angled fruit, an achene, bears a crown of hairs of a dirty white colour.
The plant was considered a good remedy for purifying the blood, either used by itself, or in combination with other herbs, and as a treatment for influenza or similar.
Propagation
From seed
Sow the seeds in spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
By division
Division is done in spring or autumn. It is very easy to do. The divided clumps can be replanted directly into their permanent positions.
The following grow in similar habitats (alphabetical by common name)
Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Northern Ireland Environment Agency too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).