dwarf cinquefoil
ExplorePlants
dwarf cinquefoil
Potentilla canadensis
The dwarf cinquefoil is a small, cheerful flower that blooms in bright yellow. It grows close to the ground and loves sunny spots, making it a happy addition to meadows and gardens.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The dwarf cinquefoil is a low-growing plant with bright yellow, five-petaled flowers resembling tiny wild roses. Its leaves are divided into five leaflets, often compared to a small hand or a strawberry leaf, and it forms a mat of green foliage.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusPotentilla
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its name, it's actually a relative of the strawberry, but with dry fruits!
Dwarf cinquefoil flowers always have exactly five cheerful yellow petals.
Its name 'cinquefoil' means 'five leaves' in old French, for its hand-like foliage!
Native Americans once used this plant to make herbal teas for various remedies.
Special abilities
Ability
Ground Spreader
Dwarf cinquefoil has special creeping stems called stolons that help it spread across the ground and colonize new areas.
Ability
Tough Grower
This plant can thrive in poor, rocky, or disturbed soils where many other plants struggle, thanks to its hardy root system.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-30 cm
- Spread
- 10-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen from its flowers
pollinates
common eastern bumble bee
Bombus impatiens
visits flowers for sweet nectar
eaten by
white-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on its leaves and stems
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick flowers, so everyone can enjoy them!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is dwarf cinquefoil?
5-30 cm
How wide does dwarf cinquefoil spread?
10-60 cm
How big are the flowers on dwarf cinquefoil?
1-2 cm
When does dwarf cinquefoil bloom?
Spring to early summer
Is dwarf cinquefoil edible?
Yes
Is dwarf cinquefoil toxic?
None
What is dwarf cinquefoil's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is dwarf cinquefoil pollinated?
Insect
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