Common Cinquefoil
Potentilla simplex

Other common names: Decumbent Five-finger, Old Field Cinquefoil

French names: Potentille simple

Family: Rose Family (Rosaceae)

Group: Cinquefoils

Distinctive features: Low plant, looks like a vine along the ground. Yellow 5-part flowers. Palmate leaves. Also suggests a yellow-flowered strawberry.

Similar species:
  •   Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata) - The leaves are quite different.

  •   Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa) - A shrub.


Flowers: Summer;  Yellow;  5 parts (petals);  5-part, yellow. Late spring & early summer.

Leaves: Palmate leaves - 5 leaflets toothed for 3/4 of their length.

Height: 5-20 cm (1-7 in);  Low, trailing plant.

Stem: Weak, reclining. Some hairiness.

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas;  Fields and open woods.

Grows in Sun/Shade: Sun

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 240    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 134    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 370   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: common.

For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers

Photographs: 28 photographs available, of which 4 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

Closeup view of the flower. The flowers are about 1/4-1/2" wide.

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

Photo of a plant. The stems are slightly hairy.

The 5-part compound leaves are easily seen here as well.

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

The leaves are toothed for 3/4 of their length.Leaves are palmately compound and have 5 leaflets.

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

Makes a great native plant ground cover.

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