Pacific silverweed
Argentina pacifica
Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest traditionally managed silverweed in coastal 'root gardens,' roasting the roots which taste remarkably like sweet potatoes or parsnips.
- Scientific name
- Argentina pacifica
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Rosales › Rosaceae › Argentina
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Coastal salt marshes, brackish estuaries, sand dunes, and tidal wet meadows.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis, drawing water and minerals from saline or brackish soils).
- Range
- Pacific Coast of North America, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California
- Size
- Creeping runners up to 1 meter long, with leaves 10-30 cm high.
- Lifespan
- Perennial (clonal patches can persist for decades)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Coastal development, shoreline armoring, pollution runoff, and invasive wetland plants.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and ecologically vital. Watch your step to avoid trampling the delicate, creeping runners. While the roots are historically a prized edible resource, avoid harvesting in the wild to preserve local estuarine ecosystems and avoid soil contaminants.
Argentina pacifica , sometimes called pacific silverweed , silverweed cinquefoil , or simply silverweed , is a low-growing perennial (6") with pinnately compound green leaves with silvery undersides. It is a member of the species aggregate known as Argentina anserina or Potentilla anserina . The yellow, saucer-shaped flowers appear late spring through summer. Pacific silverweed spreads very quickly and makes a lovely groundcover in moist areas. They need sun and regular water.
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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