Sulfur
Cinquefoil
(Potentilla recta)
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Sulfur cinquefoil is a perennial forb with a single taproot. It may have several spreading roots but no rhizomes. The leaves are palmately compound with five- to seven-toothed leaflets that radiate from a center point. Relatively few leaves are attached to the base of the plant. Most of the leaves are attached to the base of the plant. Most of the leaves grow along the length of upright stems. Leaves are attached to the stem by a stalk, with the leaf-stalk length and leaf size decreasing upward on the stem. Conspicuous, pointed hairs protrude outward at right angles from the stem and leafstalks. A single stem (or any of several erect stems) may reach 1 to 2 feet tall, possible branching, with a terminal, multi-flower inflorescence. Flowers have five light yellow petals with deeply notched tips and a yellow flower center. Seeds are comma-shaped, brownish-purple and covered with net-like ridges. Three obvious characteristics distinguish sulfur cinquefoil from native cinquefoils: Leaves of sulfur cinquefoil appear green on the underside rather than silvery; sulfur cinquefoil seeds are ridged while other cinquefoil seeds usually are not; and sulfur cinquefoil has comparatively more stem leaves and fewer basal leaves than other Potentilla species. |
