Sulfur Cinquefoil

Sulfur Cinquefoil

Potentilla recta L.

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

rosette of leaves on mature plant in fall ▲

▲ mature, flowering plant

▲ flowers

Cinquefoil:

• several species, most are perennial with hairy stems and palmately-compound leaves with 3-7 leaflets
• some species biennial, others have stolons or runners (creeping perennials)
• yellow, five-petalled flowers in late spring through summer
• usually found in dry, sunny areas, pastures, roadsides, non-crop areas
• Sulfur Cinquefoil:
  • Palmately compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets with toothed margins in rosette, smaller leaves on upright stems
  • Grows 1-2 feet tall with several branches
  • Flowers 5-petalled, sulfur-yellow in clusters on upright stems
  • Similar rough cinquefoil has bright yellow flowers and 3 leaflets per leaf

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