NORWEGIAN CINQUEFOIL
Potentilla norvegica
ROSE FAMILY (Rosaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - May, June, July, August, September
- Uncommon in wet areas on FF floodplain
- 5 petals around a ring of yellow stamens and dome-like center
- Toothed leaflets in groups of 3
- Very similar Bushy Cinquefoil (P. paradoxa) has lower leaflets in groups of 5-7 (See Comments)
This annual or biennial plant grows from 1-3 feet tall. The rough green leaves have 3 toothed leaflets, each up to 3 inches long (A,C). The bright yellow flowers have 5 oval-shaped petals and a circle of yellow stamens around a dome-like yellow center (B). The five yellow petals are backed by 5 sepals and 5 leaf-like bracts, both sets of which are longer than the petals (B).
Grows near water and in other wet areas, flowering from May through September. In Fontenelle Forest, it is uncommon in moist areas on the floodplain. It has not yet been seen at Neale Woods.
Similar to Bushy Cinquefoil (Potentilla paradoxa) which may also have upper leaves with 3 leaflets; but a closer look will show lower leaves with 5-7 leaflets. The green sepals underlying the petals are also shorter, not exceeding the length of the petals. India Strawberry (Potentilla indica) has similar looking flowers, but rounded, strawberry plant-like leaves and red fruits are usually present.
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