Running Five-fingers Potentilla canadensis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- po-ten-TIL-ah ka-na-DEN-sis
- Description
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Dwarf Cinquefoil can be found growing as a wildflower in fields, woods and along roadsides throughout much of the eastern United States. It forms a large mat.
The leaflets are narrowly egg-shaped with blunt tips. The narrower portion of the leaf is close to the base. When young, the margins of the leaflets may curl upward.
Each plant has a single flower, typically yellow with a white margin. Each of the 5 petals of the flower is narrow toward the center and rounded at the tip. The tips may also be notched. The center of the flower is flattened and surrounded by 20+- stamens.
Wildlife is attracted to the flowers. Small bees and flies seek their nectar. Bees also collect the pollen. The seeds are eaten by birds. Rabbits and groundhogs often eat the leaves.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Potentilla
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern America
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Potentilla support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Derandrena) ziziaeformis, and Panurginus potentillae
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit does not split open when dry.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Five small yellow petals above a ring of five green sepals; 0.5-0.6 in. blossom arises from the axis of the lowest leaf.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Palmate leaves with five wedge-shaped 1.5 in. leaflets. Toothed only above the middle. Densely silver hairy stems. Runners up to 20 in. long. Veined leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect stems, becoming prostrate and elongated. Will often root at the nodes. They are initially green, becoming red with age.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
