Water Figwort is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in water margins and wet woodland, to a mature height of up to 100cm.
Water Figwort takes its name from the traditional herbal medicinal use of the plant to treat 'the fig' - an old name for piles (haemorrhoids). It is an erect plant, with reddish square stems and most of its leaves grow near the base. Its flowers are purplish-brown to red in colour and borne in small clusters at the end of short flower branches. Each flower has its five petals fused to form two lips with five lobes.
Botanic classification and naming: Water Figwort is a member of the Figwort (Scrophulariaceae) family. The genus name
'Scrophularia' identifies the plant as a Figwort and its species name 'auriculata' means 'ear-shaped'.
Benefits: Water Figwort provides a food source for caterpillars of the Figwort Sawfly.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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