Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

Common cinquefoil is a native perennial in Wisconsin, most often found in open woodlands, old fields, and meadows. Though it can occasionally reach 12–24 inches, it usually forms low, sprawling mats only a few inches tall. Its bright yellow flowers, about a quarter‑inch across, have five rounded petals surrounding a cluster of stamens, with the flower center often deepening to orange‑red as it ages. Beneath the petals, five pointed green sepals form a slightly shorter supporting layer. The plant’s distinctive leaves—typically arranged in groups of five like an open hand—make it easy to recognize. Each leaflet, up to three inches long, is rounded at the tip and tapers toward the base. Adaptable and resilient, Common cinquefoil thrives in both sun and partial shade across a range of natural settings.

Sources:

 Freckmann Herbarium (UW–Stevens Point) — Potentilla simplex species account

Minnesota Wildflowers — Potentilla simplex (Common Cinquefoil)

Illinois Wildflowers — Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

USDA NRCS Plants Database — Potentilla simplex species profile

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Potentilla species overview

 (LS)