Common Cinquefoil

(Potentilla simplex)

 

   

 

 

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.

 

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex Michx.)

Identification: A 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 long flower stalk. Leaves in a hand-shaped cluster with 5 parts (bottom leaflets sometimes partially or completely fused). Leaflets elliptical, heavily toothed. Runners 6 to 20 inches in length.

Distribution: Throughout eastern North America.

Habitat: Common Cinquefoil is found in fields, along roadsides, and in dry woods.

Flowering period: April to June.

Similar Species: Dwarf Cinquefoil is a similar, but smaller species. The leaflets are wedge-shaped with sharply toothed, almost square apices.

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