Rough Cinquefoil

(Potentilla norvegica)

 

   

 

 

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.

 

Rough Cinquefoil (Potentilla norvegica L.)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Plant tall and erect. Flowers yellow with 5 petals and numerous stamens. Petals reduced in size, alternating with the sepals and generally shorter than the sepals in length. Flowers in small clusters at the end of the branches. Leaves divided into 3 leaflets, arising from an upright stem. Leaflets with dentate outer margins. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: Rough Cinquefoil is found along roadsides, in thickets, and in older fields.

Flowering period: June to October.

Similar Species: Rough Cinquefoil is easily separated from other Potentilla species by the 3 leaflet division of the leaves both at the middle of the stem and at the base. Barren Strawberry and Indian Strawberry both have similar leaves, but the plants are low and prostrate on the ground.

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