Willowherb

Description:

Large (1,5m) herbaceous perennial with erect reddish stem, ending with large loose inflorescence that blooms from bottom to top. The flowers are some 4 cm in diameter, with four rose to pinkish rounded petals and four narrow dark pink sepals behind.

Habitat:

Observed on edges of deciduous, predominantly oak, forest on France-Switzerland border, in a valley of lake Geneva, just in between Jura and Alps mountains ranges. (Bagasse forest)

Notes:

Known as medicinal plant, leaves prepared as herbal tea were used to help with headaches, migraines and insomnia; flowers and stems with gastric problems and constipations. The sap was used for treatments of burns and skin irritations.