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Running Five-fingers Potentilla canadensis

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
po-ten-TIL-ah ka-na-DEN-sis
Description

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:
Tags:
#nectar plant#spring flowers#specialized bees#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#nectar plant fall#nectar plant spring#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#weed#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#nectar plant#spring flowers#specialized bees#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#nectar plant fall#nectar plant spring#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#weed#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Weed
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit does not split open when dry.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees