Silverweed (Argentina anserina)

This herbaceous perennial gets its common name from the leaves’ shimmery silver appearance. Often growing in maritime habitats along beaches, marshes, and coastal wetlands, this plant grows extensively along the northwest coast. They belong to the rose family and produce small yellow flowers in the late spring through summer. They are easily identified by their sawtoothed leaflets, silvery underside, red runners, and wooly leaves. Its roots were a staple food source used by almost all coastal tribes. Traditionally, they were dug by women in the early spring and late fall, dried, and steamed to prepare. They have a flavor similar to sweet potato, but slightly bitter. I often mention the edible and medicinal properties of these plants for enthobotanical reasons, but I urge everybody to resist harvesting these plants in their native habitat since many of these plants are already threatened by anthropogenic forces!