Potentilla ovina var. decurrens
(Sheep Cinquefoil)
Potentilla ovina var. decurrens, Ute Pass, Summit Co. 6526
Potentilla ovina var. decurrens, Ute Pass, Summit Co. 6549
Potentilla ovina var. decurrens, Ute Pass, Summit Co. 6530
Potentilla ovina var. decurrens, Ute Pass, Summit Co. 6531
Potentilla ovina var. decurrens, Ute Pass, Summit Co. 6538
| Scientific Name | Potentilla ovina var. decurrens | USDA PLANTS Symbol | POOVD |
| Common Name | Sheep Cinquefoil | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 529832 |
| Family | Rosaceae (Rose) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to alpine (7500 to 13000 ft.); sparsely vegetated areas, exposed, rocky ridges and dry hillsides. Plant: Perennials with prostrate ascending stems, tending to be mat-forming; 3 to 8 inches tall with stems rising above basal leaves by 1-1/2 to 3 times. Leaves: Mostly basal leaves and only 1 or 2 stem leaves; rosettes of pinnately-compound leaves with 9 to 17 leaflets, narrowly cuneate-oblanceolate to somewhat obovate in outline, each 1/4 to 3/4-inch long and less than 1/8 up to 1/3-inch wide; margins have 2 to 5 teeth that are incised 1/4 to 1/2-way to the midvein and oblong to ovate; upper surfaces are green, lower grayish-green, with sparse to abundant straight hairs. Inflorescence: Open cymes with 3 to 7 flowers; flowers are 3/4-inch across or less with 5 yellow petals that are broadly obovate and often notched at the tips; sepals are lanceolate, about the same length or less than the petals, and with short silky hairs. Bloom Period: May to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Flora of North America, and US Forest Service, Guide to the Common Potentilla Species of the Blue Mountains Ecoregion. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains