Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Varileaf Cinquefoil
Potentilla glaucophylla
Rose family (Rosaceae)

Potentilla glaucophylla is similar to P. gracilis, but can be distinguished by its leaves that are green on both sides, with wedge-shaped that are or , but only on the half of the . Potentilla glaucophylla is a fairly common plant in the higher altitudes through the central and southern Rockies.


©2008 Walter Siegmund

Description

, stems erect, from 3-13" long. Leaves are mostly base and , occasionally , typically with 5-7 wedge-shaped , or above the middle, and green on both side. Stems have one to several bright yellow flowers. to 2/5" long, to . Petals yellow1/4 to 1/3" long. are numerous .

Field Marks

Rose family plant with bright yellow flowers, and arranged, wedge-shaped that are green on both sides.

© Al Schneider

oblanceolate -- top wider than bottom

A leaf is compound when multiple leaflets are on the same stem.

lobe -- Being divided by clefts.

achene -- a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. For example, a rose hip holds a few achenes.

A herb is a plant whose stems die back to the ground in the winter.

obovate -- Teardrop-shaped, stem attaches to tapering point.

Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom.

terminal -- Located at the end (the tip or the apex).

Like the teeth on a saw, leaves and other surfaces can have toothed edges.

fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.

pinnate -- A compound leaf with two rows of leaflets.

palmate -- Consisting of leaflets or lobes radiating from the base of the leaf.

leaflets -- Each little leaf-like thing in a compound leaf is a leaflet.

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.