Potentilla pulcherrima
(Beautiful Cinquefoil)
Potentilla pulcherrima, Sheep Park, Park Co. 4706
Potentilla pulcherrima, Gore Pass, Grand Co. 1902
Potentilla pulcherrima, North Swan Valley, Summit Co. 1957
Potentilla pulcherrima, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 6604
Leaf, front side, Potentilla pulcherrima, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 04853
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 |
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| 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