Tall hairy agrimony facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tall hairy agrimony |
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| A. gryposepala flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Agrimonia
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| Species: |
gryposepala
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The Tall Hairy Agrimony (scientific name: Agrimonia gryposepala) is a small flowering plant. It belongs to the rose family, called Rosaceae. This plant grows year after year, so it's a perennial plant.
You can find Tall Hairy Agrimony naturally in North America. Long ago, different indigenous peoples used this plant. They used it to help with health problems like tummy troubles and fevers.
Contents
What is Tall Hairy Agrimony?
How it Looks
This plant can grow quite tall, from about 1 to 5 feet (30 to 150 centimeters) high. It has a stem that feels a bit hairy. On top of the stem, you'll see a bunch of small, yellow flowers. Each flower has five parts.
The leaves of the plant are called pinnate leaves. This means they have many small leaflets arranged along a central stem, like a feather.
Its Fruits
After the flowers, the plant makes fruits. These fruits are dry seeds that have little hooks on them. They grow in a cluster. If you crush the stem of the plant, you might notice a spicy smell!
Where it Grows
Tall Hairy Agrimony grows in many places. You can find it across most of the United States and Canada. It doesn't usually grow in the Rocky Mountains. Its home also stretches south into Chiapas, Mexico. This plant likes to grow in woodlands and forests.
Why is it Called That?
The Scientific Name
The scientific name, Agrimonia gryposepala, has a special meaning. The part gryposepala comes from ancient Greek words. Grypos means "curved" or "hooked." And sepala refers to the sepal, which are the leaf-like parts that protect a flower bud.
The Common Name
Sometimes, people call this plant "grooveburr." This name comes from the shape of its seedpod, which is also called a burr. The seedpod has a grooved shape, like a little channel.
Is it Protected?
In some places, this plant needs protection. For example, in the state of Kentucky, Tall Hairy Agrimony is listed as a threatened plant. This means there aren't as many of them as there used to be, and people are working to protect them.
How People Used This Plant
Traditional Uses by Native Americans
For a long time, different indigenous peoples in North America used Tall Hairy Agrimony. They used it for various health reasons.
- The Iroquois people made a drink from the plant's roots. They used this drink to help with diarrhea.
- The Cherokee people also used the plant for tummy troubles. They also used it to help lower fevers and for other health issues.
- The Ojibwe people used the plant to help with problems related to the urinary system.
- The Meskwaki and Prairie Potawatomi peoples used it to stop bleeding, especially for nosebleeds. This is called a styptic.
Similar Plants
These traditional uses of Tall Hairy Agrimony are similar to how another plant, Agrimonia eupatoria, was used. That plant grows in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It's interesting how different plants in the same family can have similar uses around the world!
