Hemp agrimony
Admired by insects and animals, this perennial has been used in the past by herbalists to help with a large number of ailments. However it is no longer recommended to use by some and more studies are needed to know it’s true value. The plant is cut when it is in full bloom and then used in herbal tea, liquid extracts and tinctures. The roots and rhizomes are dug up in the autumn and dried for later use as a decoction or in tinctures.
This glorious plant is found flowering all over the place from July to September. It gets the name cannabinum/hemp due to the resemblance the leaves have to hemp leaf (Cannabis sativa) though these two plant species are not actually related.
Hemp is very attractive to all kinds of insects, including butterflies like the Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral. If you see a patch on a sunny summer day you will almost certainly see butterflies sat on the flower heads basking in the sun.
Happy foraging!!
Scientific name: Eupatorium cannabinum