Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Slender Cinquefoil
Potentilla gracilis
Rose family (Rosaceae)

The leaf of this very common Potentilla quickly distinguishes it from the ladder-like arrangement of leaves on P. hippiana, another very common Potentilla. P. gracilis often grows to nearly two feet (although it commonly reclines) and is often the most common Potentilla species in high mountain . Notice that these "cinque" (five) plants actually have fewer or more than five, divisions, probably the result of the common hybridization of P. hippiana and P. gracilis.

The seeds of this species were first collected for science by David Douglas from plants "on the banks of the Columbia and the plains of the Multnomah rivers" and were then grown in England. Douglas named the plant Potentilla gracilis in 1830. The plant has endured dozens of name changes since then. "" is Latin for "slender."


©2009 Barry Breckling

Description

, variably from a (woody base of non-woody ). Stems reclining to erect, from 1-24" long. from 1 to 12" long, or , typically with 5-9 , or , commonly bicolored (green on top and hairy silvery gray on bottom). Flowers several to numerous, showy. to 2/5" long, to . Petals yellow1/4 to 1/3" long. are numerous .

Field Marks

Lanky plant with bicolored leaves, bright yellow flowers, and arranged .

© Al Schneider

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

oblanceolate -- top wider than bottom

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

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.

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.

pubescent -- downy; covered with short, soft, erect hairs.

basal leaves -- a leaf that grows lowest on the stem of a plant.

serrate -- toothed with asymmetrical teeth pointing forward; like the cutting edge of a saw.

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

gracilis -- Slender.

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.

caudex -- The woody stem base of some herbaceous perennials.

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

meadow -- Large grass and wildflower filled area with few, if any, trees.