Medium native perennial with dark crimson flower heads from May to August. Tolerates dry alkaline soils.
Distribution:Central EnglandandWales.
Habitat: Grasslands in sunny sites. Tolerates very chalky soils.
Description: Native perennial of medium height (up to 50cm) with dark crimson flower heads from May to August.
Uses: The dark crimson flower heads suggested blood to ancient herbalists and for centuries the plant was used to staunch wounds and as a remedy for internal bleeding (sanguisorba = 'blood-absorbing'). More recently the freshly peeled root has been applied to burns to relieve pain and encourage healing. As its name suggests, the leaves can be used in salads.
Wildlife: It is the larval food plant of the Annulet Moth.
Our plants and seeds are of native British origin.
