Tall Cinquefoil

(Potentilla arguta)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Paul Jackson, Cedar Creek Natural History Area, LTER, U.S. Dept. Energy and National Science Foundation.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Tall Cinquefoil (Potentilla arguta Pursh)

Identification: Plant erect. Flowers white or cream-colored, with 5 broad petals and numerous yellow stamens. Stem covered with sticky brown hairs. Leaves compound with 7 to 11 leaflets in opposite pairs with one at the apex. Leaflet margin coarsely dentate. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Aross southern Canada and southward in the east to Missouri, Indiana, and Virginia. Also in Colorado.

Habitat: Tall Cinquefoil is found on a variety of dry and rocky soils including dry woods and prairies.

Flowering period: June to August.

Similar Species: Tall Cinquefoil is easily identified by its white flowers, cinquefoil form, and the brownish hairs on its stems.

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