Potentilla simplex Michx.

Oldfield Cinquefoil; Oldfield Five Fingers; Common Cinquefoil

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Oldfield Cinquefoil is a native herbaceous perennial in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It can be found in most of central and northern Alabama. Oldfield Cinquefoil grows along roadsides, in old fields, in prairies, in open pine or hardwood forest, and in disturbed areas. It is a perennial from a thicken horizontal rhizome. Stems are initially ascending, becoming prostrate stolon’s and rooting at the nodes. Plants form small clonal patches in this manner. Leaves are basal and cauline. The basal leaves are petiolate and palmate with 5-7 leaflets. The petiole is pubescent with long hairs. The leaflets are elliptic to obovate in outline, pubescent, with coarsely toothed margins. Cauline leaves are alternate and otherwise similar to the basal leaves. Flowers are solitary at the nodes. The flowers have 5 green sepals, 5-6 yellow petals, and 20 stamens. The fruit is a shallowly wrinkled achene. Oldfield Cinquefoil flowers attract a variety of small native bees. It is easily cultivated in open or slightly shaded areas. Plants can be grown from seed or divisions.—A. Diamond.

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Native

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