Tormentil [potentilla erecta]

Bloodroot is a perennial dyeing and medicinal plant that has been known since ancient times and can be used for numerous ailments. In Europe it can still be found in Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal. The tannin-containing roots secrete an intense orange-red substance. What is interesting about this species is the 4-fold flowers. All other Potentilla species have 5 petals. The dried powder or fresh root is used as a hemostatic agent.
Bloodroot has a low growth habit and grows primarily on heaths, nutrient-poor meadows, on open forest embankments and forest edges. It is considered a type-accompanying species, especially in heaths. It is considered an indicator plant for nitrogen-poor soils.
The plant needs little water and no fertilizer. The above-ground parts of the plant die off in winter and the rhizomes survive in the ground. This means that no special winter protection is necessary.

General information
Plant family: Rosaceae
Lifecycle: Perennial
Days until harvest: 150 days
Plant hight approx: 50 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: until -20°C
Location: Semi shady until Sunny
Soil: Permeable, poor in nutrients, moist, loamy, humus, slightly acidic

pH value: 5.5 to 6.5

Information on sowing and planting
Germ type: Light and cold germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Best germination temperature: 5-10°C
Germination time: 5-20 days
Plant-, row distance: 25x30 cm

Optimal mix culture: 
Unfavorable mix culture: -

Planting information
In areas with mild winters, bloodroot is sown in spring at temperatures of 5 to 10 ° C from January to March or in autumn from November to December. In northern, cooler areas, sowing takes place at identical temperatures in spring in frost-free soil from March to April. The seeds of this variety need about 2 weeks of exposure to cold in order for the seeds to germinate optimally.
Direct sowing, broadcast sowing or row sowing are recommended. Germinates irregularly by nature.
This variety is undemanding and thrives in a sunny and shady as well as moist to dry location with a permeable clay soil. Ideally, for stronger plants, the soil should be moist, rich in humus, lean and slightly acidic, similar to the natural habitat.

Other names
Latin botanical names: potentilla erecta
English names: Tormentil
German names: Blutwurz, Tormentill, Durmentill, Natternwurz, Rotwurz, Ruhrwurz, Siebenfinger
Portuguese names: Tormenta
Spanish names: Tormento
French names: Tourmentille

Ingredients
Bloodroot contains important ingredients such as tannins, pseudosaponins (tormentoside), dyes and starch. It also contains many other ingredients such as catechins, ellagitannins, procyaidie, flavonoids (e.g. quercetin, rutin, camphor oil), iridoids (e.g. aucubin) and phenolic carboxylic acids (e.g. caffeic and gallic acid). The root contains up to 22% tannins (catechin tannins, gallo- and ellagitannins), which makes it the most tannin-rich plant in Europe. Flavonoids and triterpenes are also involved in the medicinal effect.

Potent germination capacity: 2-3 years