Agrimonia procera [Fragrant Agrimony]

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Rørslett, B. 2013. Agrimonia procera Wallr. (Rosaceae). Fragrant Agrimony. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...grant-agrimony/

 

Agrimonia procera Wallr.

Syn. Agrimonia odorata auct.

 

NO: Kyståkermåne

SE: Luktsmåborre; grov småborre

DK: Vellugtende Agermåne

FI: Tuoksuverijuuri

DE: Großer Odermennig

EN: Fragrant Agrimony

 

A. procera is a medium to tall, up to 1 m, perennial herb, native to Europe and occurring mainly in coastal areas and lowlands. It thrives on rich soils along road sides, forest edges, open meadows, and similar habitats. The plant is fragrant and its flowers, borne in a long inflorescence, are scented. Pollinators visiting these flowers are varied, winged and non-winged alike.

 

It flowers in early-mid summer and flowering can continue into August.

 

Plant collected and photographed at Olonne-sur-Mer, France, 4 June 2011.

 

Image reference: AGRI_PRO_G1106046013_VIS.jpg

Visible light: Nikon D3S, Voigtländer 125 mm f/2.5 APO-Lanthar lens, daylight.

 

Image reference: AGRI_PRO_I1106043780_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Nikon D40X, UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Baader U2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash.

 

A. procera has a UV-dark stem and bracts, whilst the petals are very UV bright. The anthers, style, and gynoecium all are UV dark, whilst the filaments are UV bright. The latter trait is uncommon.

 

The UV signature is virtually identical to that of the more common relative A. eupatoria (Rørslett, in prep.).

 

[Published 12 June 2013]