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Argentina anserina
Argentina anserina (L.) Rydb.
Silverweed Cinquefoil, Common Silverweed, Silverweed, Goosefoot
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s): Argentina anserina var. concolor, Argentina argentea, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla anserina ssp. anserina, Potentilla anserina var. concolor, Potentilla anserina var. sericea, Potentilla anserina var. yukonensis, Potentilla egedii ssp. yukonensis, Potentilla yukonensis
USDA Symbol: ARAN7
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
A low, 6-9 in. perennial that sends up flowers and leaves on separate stalks. Solitary, 1 in., five-petaled, yellow flowers are held on slender stems above basal tufts of pinnate, silvery foliage.
This species, also occurring in Eurasia, has recently been moved from the genus Potentilla to the genus Argentina because of the solitary flower at the tip of the stalk. The Pacific Silverweed (Argentina anserina ssp. pacifica) grows along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to southern California; the runners and stalks of its leaves lack hairs or have a few hairs that lie flat. In ancient times Silverweed was grown for food and medicine. The cooked root is purported to have the flavor of parsnips or sweet potatoes. An extract from the root has also been used to tan leather. Attractive foliage; edible roots. Raw, boiled or roasted, the spring roots have been likened to parsnips, chestnuts and sweet potatoes. Medicinally, Common silverweed was used mainly as an astringent in gargles, washes and teas for reducing inflammation and stopping bleeding of the digestive tract, kidneys and skin. (Kershaw)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Pinnate
Leaf Shape: Obovate
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 9 inches tall.
Leaf: Whitish on surface
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , IA , ID , IL , IN , MA , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VT , WA , WI , WYCanada: NB , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Transcontinental Canada, s. to coastal New England, Great Lakes, IA, western mts. & CA
Native Habitat: Wet Meadow, Prairie, Field, Riparian, Salt Water Shorelines
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist loams.
Conditions Comments: Used for erosion control. Silverweed spreads by sending runners from the parent in several directions. These develop roots at nodes to form new plants.
Benefit
Use Food: Attractive foliage; edible roots. Raw, boiled or roasted, the spring roots have been likened to parsnips, chestnuts and sweet potatoes.Use Medicinal: Medicinally, common silverweed was used mainly as an astringent in gargles, washes and teas for reducing inflammation.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Propagation
Description: The plant is so easily reproduced by stolons that it is not worth the trouble to grow from seed. Use stolon internode cuttings or separate rooted plantlets from parent plants in spring or summer.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | FACW | OBL | OBL | FACW | FACW | FACW | OBL |
Bibliography
Bibref 1364 - Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies (2004) Kershaw, L. (Author), Craig, L. and McCloskey, E. ...Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Argentina anserina in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Argentina anserina in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Argentina anserina
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-09Research By: TWC Staff