Tormentil Potentilla erecta


Best time to see: Jun to mid Sep

Key facts

A creeping plant of rough grassland on sandy soils, with four-petalled yellow flowers

Food for caterpillars of the grizzled skipper butterfly

Dried roots used to treat mouth infections or sunburn, and to produce a red dye

Extras

Grows in small clumps, with short stalks; up to 10 cm high

Flowers have four widely-spaced rounded petals, up to 1 cm across

Leaves are shiny with toothed lobes, like spiky fingers


© Tony Gunton