Minnesota Wildflowers


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Silverweed Cinquefoil

Plant Info
Also known as: Silver-weed
Scientific name:Argentina anserina
Family:Rose (Rosaceae)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:sun to part shade; wet sandy shores, wet meadows
Bloom season:spring through summer
Plant height:2 to 8 in., 1 to 3 ft. runner
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: regular shape
[photo of flower] Flowers are yellow, about ¾ inch across with 5 rounded petals (sometimes more) and many short yellow stamen clustered in the center. A single flower is at the end of an erect naked stalk 1 to 6 inches long that sprouts from a node in the runner.
Leaves and stem: basal attachment compound type
[photo of leaves] Leaves are compound, 7 or more sharply toothed leaflets with small leaflets between each larger leaflet. Leaflets are to 1 inch long and ½ inch wide, becoming larger as they go up the leaf stem. The underside is silvery from long white hairs. A leaf may be up to 12 inches long, but most often much less. A cluster of leaves sprouts from a node in the runner, separate from the flower stalk. The leaves tend to fan out, lying prostrate, but may be erect. The main stem is red and sparsely covered in long white hairs.
Notes:
When I first discovered this plant, all I saw were some yellow flowers that looked like they sprouted out of the ground all by themselves. The leaves were several inches away and I didn't notice the runner at all until I really started looking closer. After that it was easier to spot the leaf clusters to find more plants.

More photos

Photos taken at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Coon Rapids, MN August 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much



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