Potentilla pulcherrima

(Beautiful Cinquefoil)

_DSC1056%20copy

Potentilla pulcherrima, Sheep Park, Park Co. 4706

_DSC1056%20copy

Potentilla pulcherrima, Gore Pass, Grand Co. 1902

_DSC1056%20copy

Potentilla pulcherrima, North Swan Valley, Summit Co. 1957

_DSC1056%20copy

Potentilla pulcherrima, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 6604

_DSC1056%20copy

Leaf, front side, Potentilla pulcherrima, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 04853

_DSC1056%20copy

Leaf, back side, Potentilla pulcherrima, Cottonwood Pass, Gunnsion Co. 3570

Scientific Name Potentilla pensylvanica USDA PLANTS Symbol POPE8
Common Name Prairie Cinquefoil ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 24736
Family Rosaceae (Rose) SEINet
Reference
Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Foothills to alpine (5300 to 13000 ft.); dry areas in fields, prairies, meadows.
Plant: Perennial 2 to 14 inches tall; a few or more erect or sometimes decumbent, grayish-green stems.
Leaves: Basal leaves up to 8 inches long, pinnately-compound; upper surface usually greenish, lower surface nearly white; 5-9 (sometimes 11) oblanceolate, leaflets, 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches long, the lower ones smaller and the upper 3 larger; leaflets cleft to about halfway with about 10 lobes. A few stem leaves.
Inflorescence: Numerous yellow 5-petaled flowers in branched, open cyme, each blossom surrounded by leaf-like green sepals.
Bloom Period: June to August.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, SEINet 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