Dwarf Cinquefoil

(Potentilla canadensis)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

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

 

Dwarf Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis L.)

Identification: A small, prostrate plant with runners, rooting at the nodes and with leaves and flowers on separate stems arising from the runner. Flowers yellow, with 5 broad petals and numerous stamens. Flowers solitary on a flower stalk. Leaves in a hand-shaped cluster with 5 parts. Leaflets wedge-shaped with the apex heavily dentate, but teeth nearly absent from the lower two-thirds of the leaflet. Runners 2 to 4 inches in length.

Distribution: Throughout most of eastern North America.

Habitat: Dwarf Cinquefoil is found in fields and woods.

Flowering period: March to June.

Similar Species: Dwarf Cinquefoil is similar to Common Cinquefoil, but is a smaller plant. The leaves are wedge-shaped, not elliptical. The apex of each leaflet is heavily toothed, but teeth are nearly missing from the lower two-thirds of each leaflet.

Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc. 2003. All rights reserved.