https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Silverweed 2026-04-11T21:38:40Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.35.3 https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Silverweed&diff=3446&oldid=prev 2007-05-04T04:48:24Z

<p></p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Taxobox<br /> | color = lightgreen<br /> | name = Silverweed<br /> | image = Zilverschoon plant Potentilla anserina.jpg<br /> | image_width = 240px<br /> | regnum = [[Plant]]ae<br /> | divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]<br /> | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]<br /> | ordo = [[Rosales]]<br /> | familia = [[Rosaceae]]<br /> | subfamilia = [[Rosoideae]]<br /> | genus = ''[[Argentina (plant)|Argentina]]''<br /> | species = '''''A. anserina'''''<br /> | binomial = ''Argentina anserina''<br /> | binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Per Axel Rydberg|Rydb.]]<br /> }}<br /> <br /> '''Silverweed''' is a flowering [[perennial plant]] in the rose family [[Rosaceae]]. It is native throughout the temperate [[Northern Hemisphere]], often on river shores and in grassy habitats such as meadows and road-sides. The plant was formerly classified in the genus ''[[Potentilla]]'' but has recently been reclassified into the new genus ''[[Argentina (plant)|Argentina]]''. <br /> <br /> [[Image:Silverweed leaf 800.jpg|thumb|left|Silverweed leaves are covered in fine silvery hairs that give the plant its name]]<br /> Silverweed is a low-growing [[herbaceous]] plant with creeping red [[stolon]]s up to 80 cm long. The [[Leaf|leaves]] are 10-20 cm long, evenly pinnate into in crenate leaflets 2-5 cm long and 1-2 cm broad, covered with silky white [[trichome|hairs]], particularly on the underside. These hairs are also present on the stem and the stolons. These give the leaves the silvery appearance from which the plant gets its name. <br /> <br /> The [[flower]]s are produced singly on 5-15 cm long stems, 1.5-2.5 cm diameter with five (rarely up to seven) yellow petals. The [[fruit]] is a cluster of dry [[achene]]s.<br /> <br /> It is difficult to distinguish ''A. anserina'' from ''[[Eged's Silverweed|A. egedii]]'' (the only other species in the genus), the two taxa only differing in characters of the hairs; some botanists treat ''A. egedii'' as a [[subspecies]] of ''A. anserina''.<br /> <br /> Silverweed is most often found in [[sand]]y or [[gravel]]ly soils, where it may spread rapidly by its prolific rooting stolons. It typically occurs in inland habitats, unlike ''A. egedii'', which is a [[sodium chloride|salt]]-tolerant [[coast]]al [[saltmarsh]] plant.<br /> <br /> ===Cultivation and uses===<br /> Herbal tea from the underground roots is used to help delivery, and as [[antispasmodic]] for [[diarrhea]]. The plant was also put in shoes to absorb [[sweat]]. Howard (1987) states that it was formerly used as a treatment for [[epilepsy]], and that it could ward off [[witch]]es and evil spirits.&lt;ref&gt;Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987), p.121.&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> The plant has been cultivated as a [[food crop]] for its edible roots. The usual wild forms, however, are impractical for this use, as they are small and are hard to clean. It may also become a problem [[weed]] in gardens.<br /> <br /> ===Etymology and folklore===<br /> The pre-Linnaean name ''anserina'' means &quot;of the [[goose]]&quot; (''Anser''), either because the plant was used to feed them or because the leaves reminded of the bird's footmarks.<br /> <br /> A rich [[folklore]] has developed around Silverweed. The plant bears the common name of ''richette'' in [[French language|French]], being rich through both silver and gold.<br /> <br /> ==References==<br /> {{Commons|Potentilla anserina}}<br /> &lt;references/&gt;<br /> *{{cite book | author=Lamoureux, G. et al. | title=Plante sauvage des villes, desa champs et en bordure des chemins | publisher=Fleurbec | year=1983 | id=ISBN 2-920174-07-X}}<br /> <br /> [[Category:Potentilla]]<br /> [[Category:Flora of Estonia]]<br /> [[Category:Medicinal plants]]</div>

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