Tormentil
Potentilla erecta
Summary 3
Potentilla erecta (syn. Tormentilla erecta, Potentilla tormentilla, known as the (common) tormentil or septfoil) is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae).
Taxon biology 4
Common tormentil is a strange name for a plant, until you realize that its root used to be used to treat infections and pain (torment). It is generally found in the Netherlands on calcium-poor, bare and slightly damp sandy ground. In other words, in the dunes, on marshy heath grounds, peat grounds and in thinly planted forests. The dried root stock can also be used for dying materials red. What is unusual about this plant is its flower only has four petals. Flowers in the rose family generally have five petals. Tormentil is a host plant for the grizzled skipper.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Kari Pihlaviita, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/42267636@N08/7187555031/
- (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/photos/JCS-Potentilla-erecta-62841.JPG
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potentilla_erecta
- (c) Copyright Ecomare, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/32227249
More Info
- iNat taxon page
- Biodiversity Heritage Library
- BOLD Systems BIN search
- eFloras.org
- Flora Digital de Portugal
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
- IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
- NBN Atlas
- SEINet Symbiota portals
- Tropicos
- VASCAN by Canadensys
- World Flora Online
