Photo Credit: Leslie Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, retrieved from Bugwood.org (Image Number: 5446041), used under CC BY 3.0 US, modified from the original
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Common Name: Sulphur Cinquefoil Scientific Name: Potentilla recta Habitat: roadsides, disturbed areas, grassland, grassland dry Provincial Designation: Prohibited Noxious Prohibited Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "prohibited noxious" in the Alberta weed regulation. Prohibited noxious weeds must be destroyed, meaning all growing parts need to be killed or the plant's reproductive mechanisms need to be rendered non-viable. |
Origin
Native to Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, sulphur cinquefoil was introduced to North America before 1900.
Legislated Because
It is able to invade and dominate pastures and rangeland that are in good condition. Thus, infestations can reduce the biodiversity of desired forage species. It is unpalatable to most wildlife and livestock.
Description
Sulphur cinquefoil's flowers are 20-25 mm wide and light yellow in colour, as the name suggests. Each flower has five petals with a distinctive notch that makes each petal heart-shaped.
Leaves are 5-15 cm long and 5-10 cm wide and have green undersides. Leaves are stalked and palmate with 5-7 leaflets. The leaflets have toothed edges.
The stems are erect with some branching in the upper portions and grow 30-60 cm tall. All parts of the plant, except the flowers, are usually covered in perpendicular hairs.
Learn more about this species:
See Fact Sheets - Alberta Invasive Species Council
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Sulphur Cinquefoil -
Sulphur Cinquefoil -
Sulphur Cinquefoil
