Poterium tenuifolium

Description

The Japanese burnet is a plant that I have only observed on a few occasions, but it has always left a lasting impression. Lately I have been admiring a planting of Sanguisorba tenuifolia -Purpurea- near the Sproul Terrace steps. Its burgundy red flowers bobbing in the air are hard to miss. The size of this plant is not overwhelming, even though the foliage reaches a substantial four feet in height. The bulk of this plant-s body remains close to the ground, consisting of long compound leaves in a basal arrangement. If you do not want to focus on flowers, one can emphasize the continuity of seasonal interest, as the burnet-s pinnate foliage is a major asset. The compound leaves are concentrated near the ground and slowly ascend, culminating in late summer with burgundy flowers atop long scapes. The edge of each leaflet has a very pronounced serration, which gives the collective foliage an intricate texture.