Marsh Cinquefoil
Potentilla palustris

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Potentilla palustris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from May to August. 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Marshes, bogs, acid fens and wet heaths.

Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to the Pyrenees, temperate Asia and Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The dried leaves are a tea substitute.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The root is astringent. A decoction has been used in the treatment of dysentery and stomach cramps.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Other

Rating: 1

A red dye is obtained from the flowers. Tannin is obtained from the root.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

How it is grown

Requires a moist to wet soil, preferably on the acid side. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c. A rapidly spreading plant, capable of forming clumps several metres across. It is a plant for the wild wet garden. 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: Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Comarum palustre. L.