Potentilla repens

POTENTILLA repens
(POTENTILLA reptans)
Cinquefoil,
Creeping Cinquefoil

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Type:
Perennial

Height: 1-4" (2-10 cm)

Flowering Time: Summer, Autumn

Flower Colour: Yellow

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Botanical Classification:

Class:
Angiospermae (Angiosperms)

Subclass: Dicotyledonae (Dicotyledons)

Superorder: Rosidae (Rose Superorder)

Order: Rosales (Rose Order)

Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Genus: Potentilla (Cinquefoil)

Species: repens (creeping)

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Potentilla repens is a creeping plant, hugging the ground and tangling with other low-growing plants, with deep roots and five-fignered leaves. The bright yellow flowers have five rounded petals, with the points of the green calyx visible between them. It spreads by rooting at the nodes, like a strawberry (also in the Rose Family). Some of my books say it is easily mistaken for a buttercup, but the flowers are not shiny as in the buttercup, and the buttercup flower is a solid bowl shape.
Potentilla repens has been used in traditional medicine as a relaxant.
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Harvesting and Growing from Seed:

Germination:
Winter
Outside
( days)

Seed Pod There is no seed pod. The seeds are held together inside the folded calyx.
Seed The seed is a fat woody disc. There are several seeds from each flower.
Seedling The seedling has trefoil leaves.

(You can check the meaning of any technical terms new to you in the Botany section of the site)

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				Germination: Winter Outside ( days)
Seed Pod There is no seed pod. The seeds are held together inside the folded calyx. Seed The seed is a fat woody disc. There are several seeds from each flower. Seedling The seedling has trefoil leaves.