How do you tell the difference between tormentil and creeping cinquefoil?

Count the petals—tormentil has four, creeping cinquefoil has five. Also, creeping cinquefoil sends out long runners that root at the nodes like a strawberry plant, whilst tormentil's stems trail without producing rooting runners.

Where does tormentil grow in the UK?

Pretty much everywhere with acidic soil—heathland, moorland, mountain grassland, bogs, and along footpaths. It handles poor drainage and exposure well, but doesn't like shade, so you'll find it in open habitats rather than dense woodland.

When does tormentil flower?

Mainly from June through September, though you might see early flowers in May if spring arrives early. The tiny yellow flowers stay close to the ground, usually under twenty centimetres high.

Under Your Boots

The Tormentil Problem: When Ground Cover Has More Names Than Petals

Four yellow petals, grows everywhere from bog to mountain path, and has been called everything from bloodroot to shepherd's knot. It's possibly Britain's most overlooked medicinal plant.

1 September 20267 min read