Chinese Cinquefoil
Potentilla chinensis
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Potentilla chinensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from May to October, and the seeds ripen from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Sandy sunny places, especially along the banks of rivers, C. and S. Japan. Meadows on mountain slopes, grassland, ravines, forest edge, thickets or sparse forest; 400-3200 metres.
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young shoots and leaves - cooked. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is rich in tannins. It is astringent and is used in the treatment of diarrhoea. It is also emmenagogue and febrifuge. It is used in Korea to treat fevers and as a women's tonic. The plant has antitumour activity.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in a well-drained loam, preferring a position in full sun but tolerating shade. Prefers an alkaline soil but tolerates a slightly acid soil. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagating it: 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. 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.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist