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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Silverweed
| image = Zilverschoon plant Potentilla anserina.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rosaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Rosoideae]]
| genus = ''[[Argentina (plant)|Argentina]]''
| species = '''''A. anserina'''''
| binomial = ''Argentina anserina''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Per Axel Rydberg|Rydb.]]
}}
'''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]]''.
[[Image:Silverweed leaf 800.jpg|thumb|left|Silverweed leaves are covered in fine silvery hairs that give the plant its name]]
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.
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.
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''.
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.
===Cultivation and uses===
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.<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987), p.121.</ref>
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.
===Etymology and folklore===
The pre-Linnaean name ''anserina'' means "of the [[goose]]" (''Anser''), either because the plant was used to feed them or because the leaves reminded of the bird's footmarks.
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.
==References==
{{Commons|Potentilla anserina}}
<references/>
*{{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}}
[[Category:Potentilla]]
[[Category:Flora of Estonia]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Silverweed
| image = Zilverschoon plant Potentilla anserina.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
| familia = [[Rosaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Rosoideae]]
| genus = ''[[Argentina (plant)|Argentina]]''
| species = '''''A. anserina'''''
| binomial = ''Argentina anserina''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Per Axel Rydberg|Rydb.]]
}}
'''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]]''.
[[Image:Silverweed leaf 800.jpg|thumb|left|Silverweed leaves are covered in fine silvery hairs that give the plant its name]]
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.
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.
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''.
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.
===Cultivation and uses===
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.<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987), p.121.</ref>
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.
===Etymology and folklore===
The pre-Linnaean name ''anserina'' means "of the [[goose]]" (''Anser''), either because the plant was used to feed them or because the leaves reminded of the bird's footmarks.
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.
==References==
{{Commons|Potentilla anserina}}
<references/>
*{{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}}
[[Category:Potentilla]]
[[Category:Flora of Estonia]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]