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Potentilla thurberi - scarlet cinquefoil

Scientific Family
Rosaceae
Other common names
five finger
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
16 inches
Riparian
Yes
Basal leaves form a rounded compact mound that is topped by nearly erect, leafy stemmed, flowering stalks forming a more open appearance.
Basal leaves palmate with 5 to 7 leaflets; petals rose-red or dark red on branched flower heads of few to several flowers; stamens more than 5; bracts below petals with bractlets; enlarged area that supports the flower is flat or saucer-shaped.

Habitat

Found along higher elevation roadsides, moist creekbeds, meadows and coniferous forests where there are mostly rich, moist soils.
Plant Community
Riparian
Montane Conifer Forest
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
6000
High elevation
9000

Flower Characteristics

Flowers of 5 petals, up to 1 inch wide and in loose showy clusters.
Flower color
Dark red
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Other

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaves palmately compound with 5 to 7 leaflets each 2 inches long. Also has basal leaves that are larger and with more silky hair underneath than stem leaves.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Palmate
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf attachment
Alternate
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit type
Achene