Potentilla pulcherrima
(Beautiful Cinquefoil)
Potentilla pulcherrima, Sheep Park, Park Co. 4706
Potentilla pulcherrima, Gore Pass, Grand Co. 1902
Potentilla pulcherrima, North Swan Valley, Summit Co. 1957
Potentilla pulcherrima, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 6604
Leaf, front side, Potentilla pulcherrima, Breckenridge, Summit Co. 04853
Leaf, back side, Potentilla pulcherrima, Cottonwood Pass, Gunnsion Co. 3570
| Scientific Name | Potentilla pulcherrima | USDA PLANTS Symbol | POPU9 |
| Common Name | Beautiful Cinquefoil, Soft Cinquefoil | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 504586 |
| Family | Rosaceae (Rose) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to alpine (7000 to 13000 ft.); Dry to moist areas in meadows, grasslands, along creeks, rocky slopes, open forests, roadsides and tundra. Plant: Perennial 8 to 32 inches tall; stems are usually reclining or ascending to erect and often-branched. Leaves: Basal leaves are palmately-divided into 5 to 9 leaflets that are lanceolate to oblong-elliptic, 0.4 to 2.4 inches long; margins evenly toothed 1/5 to 1/2 the way to midvein; upper surfaces are green, lower surfaces covered with short, dense, matted hairs; on petioles up to 8 inches long; one or two alternate stem leaves are similar but smaller. Inflorescence: Open, somewhat flat-topped, terminal cluster of several to many yellow flowers less than 1-inch across with 5 heart-shaped petals shallowly notched at the tips and 20 stamens; hairy calyx with 5 broadly lanceolate lobes alternating with 5 shorter, narrowly lanceolate bractlets. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, E-Flora BC and US Forest Service, Guide to the Common Potentilla Species of the Blue Mountains Ecoregion |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
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