Creeping Cinquefoil
Latin: Potentilla reptans
Irish: Cúig mhéar Mhuire
This is a native species that has long stems that creep along the ground sending up long-stalked leaves and single flowers at regular intervals and are a common sight on roadsides and in waste places.
The leaves are nearly all palmate with 5 toothed leaflets. The flowers are bright yellow, 20-25mm across and have 5 petals.
It has had several uses in herbal medicine. An infusion of the dried herb is used in the treatment of diarrhoea. It is also used as a gargle for sore throats and is used externally as an astringent lotion. It is also reported that a concentrated decoction of the root relieves toothache.
Creeping Cinquefoil has cosmetic uses also as the plant is an ingredient in a number of anti-wrinkle cosmetic preparations for the skin.
Specimens were recorded on the west-facing slope of the motte and in the Builder’s Paddock.
