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Potentilla reptans - L.

Common Name Cinquefoil, Creeping cinquefoil
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry sunny locations in meadows, pastures and waste ground[4, 9], usually on basic or neutral soils[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to the Mediterranean, Siberia, Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Potentilla reptans Cinquefoil, Creeping cinquefoil


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Potentilla_reptans0.jpg
Potentilla reptans Cinquefoil, Creeping cinquefoil
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dysmachus

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Potentilla reptans is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Meadow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw[7]. A useful addition to salads[7].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidiarrhoeal  Antispasmodic  Astringent  Febrifuge  Odontalgic

Both the roots and the herb are antispasmodic, astringent and febrifuge[4, 7, 9, 54, 240]. An infusion of the dried herb is used in the treatment of diarrhoea etc, it is also used as a gargle for sore throats and is used externally as an astringent lotion[4]. A concentrated decoction of the root relieves toothache[7].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Cosmetic

The plant is an ingredient in many anti-wrinkle cosmetic preparations for the skin[7].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a well-drained loam, preferring a dry position in full sun but tolerating shade[1]. Prefers an alkaline soil but tolerates a slightly acid soil[200]. The plant spreads vigorously by means of runners and can be invasive with new runners up to 1.5 metres long being produced each year[1, 4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. The flowers are partially closed in dull weather and close completely of a night time[4]. When closing, self-fertilisation is affected because the anthers are caused to touch the stigmas[4].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

See readers comments below.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Potentilla anserinaSilverweedPerennial0.3 4-8 FLMHSNM332
Potentilla bicolor Perennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Potentilla chinensisChinese CinquefoilPerennial0.6 -  LMHSNM11 
Potentilla cryptotaeniae Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Potentilla discolor Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM21 
Potentilla egedeiPacific SilverweedPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNM21 
Potentilla erectaTormentil, Erect cinquefoilPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHSNM131
Potentilla fragarioides Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM11 
Potentilla fruticosaShrubby Cinquefoil, PotentillaShrub1.2 2-6 MLMHSNM113
Potentilla glandulosaGland Cinquefoil, Sticky cinquefoil, Arizona cinquefoil, Ashland cinquefoil, Ewan's cinquefoil, HansPerennial0.6 6-9  LMHSNM11 
Potentilla hippianaWoolly CinquefoilPerennial0.6 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Potentilla kleiniana Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM11 
Potentilla multifida Perennial0.3 3-7  LMHSNM20 
Potentilla nepalensisNepal Cinquefoil, CinquefoilPerennial0.6 5-10 MLMHSNM21 
Potentilla norvegicaNorwegian CinquefoilAnnual/Perennial0.3 3-7  LMHSNM01 
Potentilla palustrisMarsh CinquefoilPerennial0.5 3-7  LMHSNWe111
Potentilla rectaRough-Fruited Cinquefoil, Erect cinquefoilPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNM210
Potentilla rupestrisRock CinquefoilPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNDM10 
Potentilla simplexOld Field Cinquefoil, Common cinquefoilPerennial0.1 3-7  LMHSNM010
Potentilla supina Annual/Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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Readers comment

MISS.MCCRAE   Sun Mar 23 20:22:52 2003

This plant Potentilla reptans(Cinquefoil) has many uses, and comes from a good family, though can be invasive in the garden. It might be well worthwhile planting it in a pot and then putting it in the location preferred for its habitat in the garden if your worried about invasion. I've come across many recipes including this plant in it's ingredients.

   Apr 27 2017 12:00AM

Disagree with the rating for weed potential. This plant is in my 1/4 acre yard and is slowly taking over every square inch of it. It sets down tap roots that are over 8 inches deep and is very adaptable. It shoots runners over a foot away entangling other ground covers. Leaf size can vary depending on the amount of sunlight it gets in any particular location. I live in western New York state. I was not familiar with this plant until I moved to my current residence fifteen years ago. I would urge you to reconsider your weed potential rating for it.

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