Anserina
Potentilla anserina
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Potentilla anserina, the silverweed, is a low, creeping perennial herb of the rose family that spreads by long, slender, rooting red runners (stolons), forming patches close to the ground. The leaves are pinnately compound with many pairs of oblong, sharply toothed leaflets, alternating large and small, that are green above and densely covered beneath (and often above) with silky, silvery-white hairs, giving the plant its name and a shimmering appearance. The solitary flowers are borne on long stalks arising from the runners; each has five rounded, bright yellow petals. The fruit is a head of small dry achenes. Native across the temperate Northern Hemisphere, silverweed grows on damp grassland, roadsides, dune slacks, riverbanks, and disturbed, often saline or compacted ground, and its starchy roots were formerly gathered as food.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.