Definition

Noun 1. A perennial herb: A hairy Eurasian plant (Geum urbanum, also historically Potentilla tormentilla) characterized by small yellow flowers and an astringent root. The root was formerly used in herbal medicine for its tannin content, primarily as a remedy for diarrhea and mouth inflammations.

Usage

• The cloveroot is commonly found in woodlands and hedgerows.
• Herbalists once dried and powdered cloveroot to make a medicinal tea.

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in historical, botanical, or herbal medicine contexts, as its medicinal use has largely been superseded by modern medicine.
• It can be encountered in older texts on herbal remedies or foraging.

Variants and Related Words

• Herb Bennet: A more common name for .
• Wood Avens: Another common name for .
• Tormentil: Refers to , a different but related plant whose root was also used medicinally and sometimes historically conflated with cloveroot.

Synonyms

• Herb Bennet
• Wood Avens (for )
• Colewort (archaic)

Notes on Different Meanings

• The name "cloveroot" is not related to the common clover plant (genus ). The name likely originates from an old word for "cleaver" or "clover," referring to the shape of its leaves or its clinging seed heads.
• Its primary meaning is the specific herb described. It does not refer to the root of a clover plant.

Noun

1. hairy Eurasian plant with small yellow flowers and an astringent root formerly used medicinally