Common Cinquefoil

Closeup photo of a portion of common cinquefoil growing in a cranberry planting.Family: Rosaceae (The Rose Family)

Genus: Potentilla | Species: simplex

Description: A very low, spreading plant with long stems and solitary yellow flowers arising from the axils of palmately 5-parted leaves (up to 2.5″ long) resembling those of wild strawberry. This species is very similar to Canadian Dwarf Cinquefoil (P. canadensis), but the latter has smaller leaflets that are toothed only above the middle. Both species are indicators of impoverished soil. [perennial]

Habitat: Dry, open soil;

In Bloom: April – June

Portion of a common cinquefoil beside a U.S. postage stamp for scale purposes Portion of a common cinquefoil beside a U.S. postage stamp for scale purposes