Potentilla anserina - Silverweed
- Family: (Rosaceae- Rose Family) [E-flora]
- Other Names; Common silverweed [E-flora]
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Identification
"Potentilla anserina is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, self. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure." [PFAF]
- Synonyms
- Origin Status: Native [E-flora]
- General: "Perennial herb from a long, strawberry-like stolon or runner, rooting and producing leaf-clusters at the nodes, spreading-silky on the stolons."[IFBC-E-flora]
- Leaves: "All basal, tufted, 5-25 cm long, stalked, ascending, pinnately compound; 7 to 21 main leaflets 0.5-3.5 cm long, interspersed with smaller ones, oblong to egg-shaped, coarsely saw-toothed, whitish-silky-woolly on both surfaces to greenish and sparsely hairy above, the leaf-stalks spreading-silky." [IFBC-E-flora]
- Flowers: "Inflorescence of single flowers on long naked stalks from the leafy nodes of the stolons, the stalks 3-10 cm long; corollas yellow, bowl-shaped, the petals 5, oval to oval-oblong , 6-12 mm long; calyces silky, 5-lobed, the lobes triangular-egg-shaped, 3-6 mm long, enlarging and becoming erect in fruit, alternating with 5 shorter, often toothed bractlets; ovaries superior; stamens 20 to 25." [IFBC-E-flora]
- Fruits: "Achenes, numerous, plumply egg-shaped, about 2 mm long, wrinkled lengthwise." [IFBC-E-flora]
- Habitat / Range "Margins of streams, lakes and ponds, mudflats, and moist alkaline meadows and grasslands in the montane zone; common in S BC east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains, rare northward; circumboreal, N to AK, E to NF and S to CA, NM, IA and NY; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora] Ditches and moist calcareous soils[7]. A common weed of cultivation[1]. Range - Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Iran, the Himalayas, Manchuria, Japan.[PFAF]
Species Mentioned: Potentilla anserine ssp; including P. anserina ssp. Pacifica. [Turner&Kuhnlein] Potentilla anserina = Argentina anserina & A. argentea.[Harrington]
Hazards
- Possible stomach irritation. [PFAF] "There have been complaints of stomach irritation associated with Potentilla" [PDR]
- Tannin: Though there are no reports of toxic reactions from use of this genus moderation is strongly advised. The herbs are astringent and contain tannins. Tannic acid (which is also contained in black tea) is a gastrointestinal irritant and a toxin to the kidneys. [Schofield]
Edible Uses
- Roots: The scrubbed roots can be added to seaside stir-fries and soups. The cooked roots add a nutty texture to salads and sandwich fillings. [Schofield]
The roots of this plant have often been utilized for food in various parts of its range, particularly by the North American Indians. In western Scotland they are said to have supported the entire population of certain areas for several months, in times of acute emergency.[Harrington] "Root - raw or cooked[66, 74, 183]. It can also be dried and ground into a powder then used in soups etc or mixed with cereals[5, 12, 13, 54]. A nice taste, crisp and nutty with a somewhat starchy flavour[85, 183]. The roots are rather thin, though perhaps their size cold be improved in cultivation[K]." [PFAF]
"(Potentilla anserina) The roots of silverweed were a marginal or famine food in the Scottish Highlands (Grigson. 1955), and in Ireland (Drury. 1984), and they were known as a food of the fairies, too (MacGregor). The roots were roasted or boiled (Ferneie), or even eaten raw, or they could be ground into meal to make porridge, and also a kind of bread (Drury. 1984). Perhaps not so marginal, for Carmichael says that it was used a lot before the potato was introduced; it was cultivated, so it grew quite large. Records of cultivation go back to prehistoric times, and the Anglo-Saxons are known to have grown silverweed as a root crop (Jordan). Particularly remembered for the cultivation of Brisgein (its Gaelic name) was an area in North Uist, Outer Hebrides, where a man could sustain himself on a square of ground of his own length (Carmichael). The Gaelic Bliadhna nan Brisdeinan means Year of the Silverweed roots. This year was shortly after Culloden, and is remembered in Tiree as a year of great scarcity. The land had been neglected in previous years because of the state of the country, and the silverweed sprang up in the furrows, and people made meal of them (Campbell. 1902), the “seventh bread” (MacGregor). Martin records the use on Tiree, as does Duncan. Children were still digging it up in recent times. They know that putting the roots for a moment on red hot cinders makes them swell a little, and makes them taste sweeter, rather like parsnips (C P Johnson)." [DPL Watts]
- Harvesting: Fall through early spring. Harvest only the roots of older plants, as they will be larger and fleshier; those of small plants are too tiny to be of much value. [Schofield] Clumps of the roots were pried up with digging sticks, and the edible roots—long and sometimes spindle-shaped, with striated, brown skin— were broken off. [Turner&Kuhnlein]
- Use Report: "We had heard the roots described as having a taste of chestnuts and by others with possessing a parsnip flavor. We washed the roots and ate them skin and all, although this outer covering could be easily rubbed off if desired. We tried them raw, finding the taste good, with a nutty, somewhat starchy flavor. The "sweetish"taste often described for the roots was not particularly noticeable to us. They would certainly Make an excellent salad or relish ingredient. We then boiled them for 15 minutes and used them with salt, pepper and butter. They retained their crispness and flavor; we voted that they were excellent food. We did not detect any special hint of "parsnip" flavor about them. This is an excellent survival plant for several reasons. It is widespread in the mountains, often present in abundance in parks, along streams and in clearings-just the places where food might be desperately needed. It can be eaten raw or cooked, and the roots will keep for at least a reasonable while. On the other side of the ledger, the roots are rather small, those 1/2 inch thick would be rather large ones in our experience, and are reasonably hard to dig since they are often found over 6 inches deep in the soil. One thing about it, the plant has striking characteristics, making it easy to identify. We refer specifically to the solitary, yellow flower, the runners and the unusual leaves." [Harrington] Pacific silverweed roots were a staple, and were dug in large quantities, cooked, and often dried for winter and as a trade item. [Turner&Kuhnlein]
- Preparation: The roots were almost always cooked, by steaming in a box, or, if large quantities were to be prepared, in an underground pit. They were often harvested and cooked together with springbank clover rhizomes (Trifolium wormskioldii). Often, the roots were tied in fist-sized bundles for cooking. Silverweed roots, common around alkaline lakes and flats in the interior, were cooked in pits or steamed in baskets and eaten by interior peoples of British Columbia Alberta and Montana. They were also dried, and were sometimes traded from one area to another. Some people regarded them as a "dessert."The cooked roots could be eaten immediately, usually with a dressing of oil or ooligan grease, aspart of a family meal, or at special feasts. They were often eaten with duck, meat or fish. [Turner&Kuhnlein]
- Storage: They were also dried, before or after cooking, and stored for winter. [Turner&Kuhnlein]
- Leaves: "Edible young shoots - raw[74]. A tea is made from the leaves." [PFAF] The tops of young heather shoots were fairy food, too, but this was a Lowland Scots tradition (Aitken). [DPL Watts]
Other Uses
- Tannin: "Silverweed roots, which are high in tannin, have been used for tanning leather.[Schofield] All parts of the plant contain tannin, though the report does not give quantities[4]." [PFAF]
- Cosmetic: "A sprig placed in the shoe can help prevent blisters[66]. An infusion of the leaves makes an excellent skin cleansing lotion[66], it is also used cosmetically as a soothing lotion for reddened skin and for the delicate skins of babies[7]." [PFAF]
- Insole Material: "Another superstition connected with silverweed is that of putting a sprig inside each shoe to prevent blisters when walking long distances (Freethy), hence the names Traveller’s Ease and Traveller’s Leaf." [DPL Watts]
Medicinal Uses
"Contemporary medical herbalists believe that silverweed's main medicinal value lies in its astringency. It is less astringent than the related P. erecta, but it has a gentler action within the gastro-intestinal tract[254]." [PFAF] "The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Potentilla anserina Silverweed for diarrhoea, inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, premenstrual syndrome (see [302] for critics of commission E)." [PFAF]
"A compress made from the chopped herb is said to be good for piles (Thomson. 1978), and a strong infusion will stop their bleeding (Wickham). It has been used for stomach cramp (Fernie), and a decoction is claimed to be a cure for mouth ulcers (Wickham). Boiled in salted water, it “dissolves clotted and congealed bloud in such as are hurt or bruised by falling from some high place” (Gerard)." [DPL Watts]
- Plant: "The whole plant is antispasmodic, mildly astringent, diuretic, foot care, haemostatic, odontalgic and tonic[4, 7, 9, 21]. A strong infusion is used to check the bleeding of piles and to treat diarrhoea, it is also used as a gargle for sore throats[4]. Externally, it is used as a powder to treat ulcers and haemorrhoids whilst the whole bruised plant, placed over a painful area, will act as a local analgesic[7, 254]." [PFAF]
- Root: "The roots are the most astringent part of the plant[4], they are harvested in late summer or autumn and dried for later use[254]." [PFAF]
- Leaves: "The leaves are harvested in early summer and dried for later use[4]." [PFAF]
Medicinal Use
Medicinal Parts: "The medicinal parts are leaves and flowers,
whole or macerated, collected during or shortly before the
flowering season and dried."
"Characteristics: The plant has an almond-like fragrance and
dry taste."
Production: "Potentilla herb consists of the fresh or dried leaf
and flowers of Potentilla anserina harvested shortly before or
during flowering, as well as its preparations."
Tannins (5 to 10%): chiefly ellagitannins
Flavonoids: including quercitrin
Hydroxycoumarins: umbelliferone, scopoletin
EFFECTS
"The drug is astringent because of the tannin concentration.
On isolated rat uterus a paralyzing effect was proven which
is due to the presence of ammonium salts. The empirical
evidence of a spasmolytic effect in dysmenorrhea could not
be definitively proven."
"Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, Potentilla is used externally as a wash for poorly healing wounds."
DOSAGE
"Mode of Administration: Potentilla is available in commercial forms for oral intake. It is also available in crude and
powder forms."
"Preparation: To prepare a tea, pour boiling water over 2 gm
finely cut drug, strain after 10 minutes (1 teaspoon corresponds to approximately 0.7 gm drug)."
"Daily Dosage: 4 to 6 gm of drug; Tea: 1 cup freshly
prepared several times a day between meals."
"Storage: Protect from light and moisture."[PDR]
Activities
| ANSERINA, SILVERWEED (Potentilla anserina L.) ++ [HMH Duke] | |
| Select Activities (Anserina) | |
| Antiallergic (1; BIS; FNF); Antiseptic (1; CEB; FNF); Antispasmodic (1; HH2; PH2); Antiviral (1; HH2); Astringent (1; PHR; PH2; PNC); | Hypotensive (1; BIS; FNF); Immunostimulant (1; BIS); Inteferonogenic (1; BIS; FNF); Tonic (2; KOM; PNC); Uterotonic (1; BIS; PHR). |
| Select Indications (Anserina) | |
|
|
| Dosages (Anserina) | |
| 2–6 g (1 tsp = 0.7–1.4 g) (BIS); 4–6 g herb/day (2 g/cup tea) (KOM; PH2).(2 tsp = ~2.8 g). | |
| Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Anserina) | |
| Class 1 (AHP; JAD). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). No contraindicationsknown (BIS). Commission E reports no contraindications, adverse effects, or interactions, except for gastric irritation (KOM). Other sources report adverse effects of GI disturbances (AEH; PH2). Sensitive individuals may experience stomach upset and vomiting (BIS). The warning with which CAN lambast uva-ursi should as well apply to other herbs with almost as much tannin: “In view of the high tannin content, prolonged use may cause chronic liver impairment.” (CAN). Containing tannin, its extracts might be expected to show antiallergic, antihypertensive, antiviral, immunostimulant and interferon-generating activities (BIS). Catechins have been specifically recommended for colitis (Brown et al.,1997). | |
Nutritional Information
Nutritionally, silverweed roots are high in iron, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. [Schofield].
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Silverweed – Potentilla pacifica [Turner&Kuhnlein]
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Lore
"(Potentilla anserina) The roots of silverweed were a
marginal or famine food in the Scottish Highlands (Grigson. 1955), and in Ireland (Drury. 1984), and they
were known as a food of the fairies, too (MacGregor).
The roots were roasted or boiled (Ferneie), or even
eaten raw, or they could be ground into meal to make
porridge, and also a kind of bread (Drury. 1984).
Perhaps not so marginal, for Carmichael says that it
was used a lot before the potato was introduced; it was
cultivated, so it grew quite large. Records of cultivation
go back to prehistoric times, and the Anglo-Saxons
are known to have grown silverweed as a root crop
(Jordan). Particularly remembered for the cultivation of
Brisgein (its Gaelic name) was an area in North Uist,
Outer Hebrides, where a man could sustain himself
on a square of ground of his own length (Carmichael).
The Gaelic Bliadhna nan Brisdeinan means Year of the
Silverweed roots. This year was shortly after Culloden,
and is remembered in Tiree as a year of great scarcity.
The land had been neglected in previous years because
of the state of the country, and the silverweed sprang
up in the furrows, and people made meal of them
(Campbell. 1902), the “seventh bread” (MacGregor).
Martin records the use on Tiree, as does Duncan.
Children were still digging it up in recent times. They
know that putting the roots for a moment on red hot
cinders makes them swell a little, and makes them taste
sweeter, rather like parsnips (C P Johnson).
Campbell. 1900 mentions silverweed roots as fairy
food. They lived on the roots that were ploughed up
in spring (Spence. 1946). The tops of young heather
shoots were fairy food, too, but this was a Lowland
Scots tradition (Aitken). Another superstition
connected with silverweed is that of putting a sprig
inside each shoe to prevent blisters when walking long
distances (Freethy), hence the names Traveller’s Ease
and Traveller’s Leaf." [DPL Watts]
"A compress made from the chopped herb is said to be good for piles (Thomson. 1978), and a strong infusion will stop their bleeding (Wickham). It has been used for stomach cramp (Fernie), and a decoction is claimed to be a cure for mouth ulcers (Wickham). Boiled in salted water, it “dissolves clotted and congealed bloud in such as are hurt or bruised by falling from some high place” (Gerard)." [DPL Watts]
Cultivation
"A very easily grown plant, succeeding in almost any soil, thriving in moist clays, though rather dwarfed in dry dusty soils[4]. It grows best in a well-drained loam, preferring a position in full sun but tolerating shade[1]. Prefers an alkaline soil but tolerates a slightly acid soil[200]. Silverweed was formerly cultivated for its edible root[5, 67]. It is still possibly cultivated in parts of Scotland (1992)[183]. This plant spreads vigorously by its running roots and can be very invasive[1, 4]. It grows well in a meadow, or places where the grass is only cut occasionally[K]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]." [PFAF]
Propagation
"Seed - sow early spring or autumn in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring. Division is also very easy at almost any time the plant is in growth. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer." [PFAF]
Additional Notes
Aerial Part - Essential oil - Content, %: 0.28 [1] Lipids Content, %: 2.0 [1] [LLCEOPS]
Potentilla anserina Linn. Rosaceae. "Temperate regions. In some of the Hebrides, says Lightfoot, the roots have often supported the inhabitants for months together. Boiled or roasted, they taste like parsnips." [Sturtevant EPW]
- [E-flora]
- [1] http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Potentilla anserina&redblue=Both&lifeform=7 [Accessed: 12/1/2014]
- [PFAF] Potentilla anserina , http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Potentilla+anserina, Accessed May 29, 2014