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: 

o   Palmately compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets with toothed margins in rosette, smaller leaves on upright stems

o   Grows 1-2 feet tall with several branches

o   Flowers  5-petalled, sulfur-yellow  in clusters on upright stems

o   Similar rough cinquefoil has bright yellow flowers and 3 leaflets per leaf