Rough cinquefoil

Potentilla recta l.

American Indian name

There are not many names found for this plant but the Omaha and Ponca name for the plant is Maka n skithe. This means fruit /medicine.

Description This native plant is an annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial. It initially consists of a rosette of basal leaves about 6¡Ö across, later developing flowering stalks about 1-2¡Ùlong.the basal leaves are trifoliate with long hairy petioles. Each leaflet is ovate or oval. They are often reddish green in appearance. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 1-2 months; the flowers bloom sporadically during this period. The seeds are somewhat flattened. It reproduces by seeds.

Location and Habitat

Rough cinquefoil is found in the eastern half of the united states northwestern states and  this is an adaptable plant that can be found in full or partial sun, slightly moist to dry conditions, and fertile to sterile soil, including loam, clay-loam, and stony soil.

The uses

It could be eaten raw or cooked. The unripe fruit is almost as pleasant as fully ripe fruit. The whole plant is astringent. A poultice of the pounded leaves and stems has been applied to open sores and wounds.

This Page was last update: Friday, December 14, 2007 at 11:21:24 AM
This page was originally posted: 11/20/07; 11:14:35 AM.
Copyright 2008 Plants of the Omaha Indian Reservation

This site is using the Wood Grain 1.0 theme.