Medicinal Monday Potentilia Canadensis- Part of a large family

There are over 300 species in the potentilla plant family that can be found all over the world. The Dwarf Cinquefoil, a species of cinquefoil (genus Potentilla) is native to North America. This interesting little plant is in the rose family and has a strawberry-like look. Native Americans have used this plant for centuries in traditional medicine.

About Dwarf Cinquefoil
Similar to Barren strawberry and strawberries, the dwarf cinquefoil spread by an underground system of rhizomes. The stems of this plant are hairy with five-parted oblong leaves that have blade teeth and are rather rounded at the tip in profile. Similar to the strawberry plant, dwarf cinquefoils have runners. Bright yellow flowers bloom on a single stem in June and July. The petals are not fused. The fruit of this plant is dry and has just one seed. The plants can be found in meadows, fields, and along stone walls.

Medicinal Uses
This plant is a natural astringent and was widely used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, and sore throats. The Iroquois would pound the roots and take them to treat diarrhea. A decoction of leaves and stems would be used as a topical solution for inflammation of the body and joints. The Natchez that lived in the Lower Mississippi Valley, near the present-day city of Natchez, Mississippi would use this plant to treat someone that was bewitched in order to break the spell.

Did You Know...

The fruit of this plant doesn't split when it is ripe.

This plant is sometimes confused with potentilla angelica.

Dwarf Cinquefoil can be found in all New England states.

Most cinquefoil species have similar yellow or white flowers so identification is based on leaves.