Silverweed (Potentilla anserine) is a variety of cinquefoil that has the more usual yellow flowers, and its silvery leaves are divided into up to 12 leaflets.
It was an important crop plant in earlier times before the introduction of potatoes. The starchy roots were eaten raw, baked or boiled, or ground down to make porridge or bread.
Traditional names for silverweed include “bread and butter”, “bread and cheese” and “seventh bread”.
It also had medicinal uses, being used to treat mouth ulcers, sore throats and internal bleeding.
© John Welford
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