Potentilla recta (Sulphur Cinquefoil)
| Also known as: | Rough-fruited Cinquefoil |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Potentilla |
| Family: | Rosaceae (Rose) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Habitat: | sun; fields, prairies, along roads |
| Bloom season: | June - August |
| Plant height: | 12 to 30 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | none |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/sulphur-cinquefoil-100_8753.jpg)
Flowers are in loose clusters at the top of the plant and the end of stems branching near the top of the plant. Individual flowers are about ¾ inch across with 5 pale yellow heart-shaped petals that have a smudge of brighter yellow at the base. There are numerous yellow stamens with yellowish brown tips surrounding the bright yellow center.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/potentilla-recta-sulphur-cinquefoil_0509_131840.jpg)
Leaves are palmately compound in groups of 3 to 7; leaves at the base of the plant have long stalks and more leaflets, those near the top are smaller, have 3 leaflets and are stalkless. Leaflets are rounded at the tip, tapering at the base, strongly toothed, hairy, up to 3 inches long and 1 inch wide with the middle leaflet largest. Stems and leaf stalks are covered in long white hairs.
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/potentilla-recta-809-1.jpg)
The sepals fold up creating a capsule-like container. Inside are numerous brown seeds.
Notes:
Sulphur Cinquefoil is easily identified by its pale yellow flowers and palmate leaves. The flowers vaguely resemble Tall Cinquefoil (Potentilla arguta), but its flowers are white and its leaves are pinnately compound rather than palmate.
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More photos
Sulphur Cinquefoil plants
more flowersPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Long Lake Regional Park, Ramsey County. Other photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2009-07-12 22:04:04
This plant grows in southern Dakota county, MN. Seen in July 2009 in a farming area growing in partial shade. Photo available.
on: 2011-07-02 18:40:29
I have seen only one plant along the path in Walnut Ridge Park which is near a swampy area which the north branch of Nine Mile Creek runs through.
on: 2011-07-04 17:08:00
We have several of these plants now blooming in our wild flower meadow. Full sun.
on: 2012-06-15 16:47:55
I have quite a lot of Cinquefoil that looks like this except that the flower is always yellow. In Fassett's, SPRING FLORA OF WISCONSIN, Potentilla recta is the only plant that has the leaf structure.
on: 2012-06-15 17:07:23
Denis, perhaps what you have is Potentilla simplex, common cinquefoil. The flowers are bright yellow and leaves have a similar structure, though it is more of a sprawling plant, not erect like P. recta.
on: 2012-07-07 21:02:04
I have seen these in full sun on the side of the road in father hennipen park, they are very pretty
on: 2013-06-27 00:15:58
Saw them today at Blue Mounds State Park. They were different from P. arguta, also seen today, by the color of the flower, shorter height, and palmate leaves.
on: 2013-10-12 22:24:56
There is some of this cinquefoil growing in the woods behind the highschool.
on: 2014-06-29 17:26:47
Hayfield of a church west of I-35 Harris exit.
on: 2015-06-29 10:13:24
We have this plant in our pastures and grassland. Round Prairie Township.
on: 2016-06-15 13:56:27
We have a quite a few of these flowering right now in our open grass areas.
on: 2016-06-23 08:31:31
Many blooming now in Glendalough State Park in Battle Lake. I love the heart shaped petals! Disappointed to see it is not native :(
on: 2016-08-26 12:03:21
It was growing in a young jack pine stand.
on: 2017-06-21 20:53:41
Found just a couple blooms on our property in Chisago City....edge of woods; full sun.
on: 2017-06-27 14:42:31
Barker Lake Rd. Near bridge
on: 2018-07-03 17:43:26
Next to walking trail on Falcon Avenue in North Branch between 383rd St and 381st Lane.
on: 2018-07-05 15:39:11
Found scattered plants in hay field 3 miles NW of Chisago City. It was disheartening to find this. I spent much of my Forest Service career managing this invasive plant in central Idaho wilderness areas. I observed diverse native stands of canyon grasslands completely displaced by sulphur cinquefoil.
on: 2019-06-28 16:10:27
Found growing under a Maple Amur in our backyard.
on: 2019-07-05 07:06:40
Pale yellow
on: 2020-01-04 18:38:46
I have this in my open oak woodland.
on: 2020-06-14 16:56:37
We walk The Jewel Golf Community daily during the summer and have been learning our Minnesota wildflowers. Today, June 14th, is the first day we noticed Sulfur Cinquefoil mixed in with copious bird's foot trefoil. It's in full sun.
on: 2020-06-15 16:42:15
I spotted one plant next to a stream in a nature preserve within the city limits. While I see this flower is not native it is striking and quite lovely.
on: 2021-06-15 22:02:00
I have this that popped up in my tower bed. I'm struggling to find info on how it spreads tho and if it's aggressive.
on: 2021-08-30 05:48:41
Started small at end of driveway. Now almost 20" tall. Blooms are very delicate looking.
on: 2022-07-14 09:16:37
I found this flower along the campground road at Lake Bemidji State Park in Bemidji, MN. I have photos to verify.
on: 2022-07-17 14:33:00
At edge of hay field
on: 2022-07-27 16:58:10
In my once upon a time hay field. Now letting this field revert back to nature.
on: 2023-05-31 02:50:00
We have this plant growing on the edge of a wood patch of maples but in full sun. It has nice flowers and the butterflies visit it often. Looking forward to seeing it fruit.
on: 2023-07-20 17:29:14
Just found a bunch on top of my sister's meadow in Carlton..