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