Silverweed, Potentilla anserina

Common Name: Silverweed

Potentilla anserina, more commonly known as Silverweed, is a member of the rose family. This hairy plant grows to 15cm in height with long, creeping stems which root at the nodes. Basal leaves to 20cm in length; pinnate with toothed leaflets. The leaflets are almost smooth above, but silvery hairy underneath. The flowers are solitary, 2-3 cm across, long-stalked with five petals, borne in leaf axils. Sepals of equal length, pointed and mostly undivided.

The ability of this plant to survive trampling, coupled with the soft texture of the leaves led to them being stuffed into shoes to relieve and cool the sore feet of travellers, hence the alternative common names of Traveller's Joy and Traveller's Ease. Flowering season is May to September. Found in meadows, on footpath edges and waste land. Common throughout most of the UK.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.