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sheep cinquefoil

Norwegian cinquefoil, Pennsylvania cinquefoil, pennsylvanian cinquefoil, potentille de pennsylvanie, prairie cinquefoil

Habit Plants rosetted to ± matted; taproots sometimes ± fleshy-thickened.
Stems

prostrate to ascending, (0.3–)0.8–2(–3.5) dm, lengths (1–)1.5–3 times basal leaves.

ascending to erect, (0.3–)1–4(–6) dm.

Basal leaves

pinnate with distal leaflets ± distinct, (1.5–)2–10(–13) × 0.7–3.5(–5) cm;

petiole 0.5–3.5(–5) cm, straight hairs sparse to abundant, sometimes absent (var. decurrens), ± appressed to ascending, 1 mm, ± stiff, cottony hairs absent, glands sparse, often obscured;

primary lateral leaflets 3–6 per side (often with additional interspersed leaflets), on distal 1/2–2/3(–3/4) of leaf axis, ± separate to ± overlapping, largest ones narrowly cuneate-oblanceolate to ± obovate, (0.3–)0.5–2(–3.5) × (0.2–)0.3–0.8(–1) cm, distal 1/4 to whole margin unevenly to pinnately (at least distal leaflets of var. ovina) incised 1/2–3/4+ to midvein, ultimate teeth 2–9(–11), linear or oblong to ovate, 1–7(–9) × 1–2 mm, apical tufts 0.5–2 mm, surfaces green to grayish, not glaucous, straight hairs sparse to abundant (sparser adaxially), sometimes absent (except on margins), loosely appressed, 0.5–2 mm, ± stiff, cottony hairs absent, crisped hairs sometimes sparse to common, glands absent or inconspicuous.

pinnate, (2–)4–20(–25) cm;

petiole 1–8 cm, long hairs sparse to abundant, rarely absent, spreading to ascending, 0.5–3 mm, weak to ± stiff, short hairs abundant to dense, rarely absent, cottony or crisped hairs absent, glands sparse to abundant, often obscured;

leaflets (2–)3–5(–7) per side, on distal 1/2–3/5 of leaf axis, separate to scarcely overlapping, terminal ones narrowly to broadly oblanceolate, (1–)1.5–5(–6) × 0.5–1.5(–2) cm, margins strongly revolute, incised ± 3/4 to midvein, sometimes more or only ± 1/2, undivided medial blade 2–4(–8) mm wide, teeth 4–8(–10) per side, triangular-ovate to linear-elliptic, surfaces usually ± dissimilar, abaxial ± grayish to nearly white, rarely green, long hairs sparse to abundant (mostly on veins), rarely absent, 0.5–1.5 mm, ± weak, short hairs usually abundant to dense, rarely absent, crisped and cottony hairs absent, glands ± abundant, sometimes obscured, adaxial green to gray-green, long hairs sparse to abundant, rarely absent, spreading to ascending, ± 1 mm, short hairs ± abundant, sometimes obscured, rarely absent, cottony and crisped hairs absent, glands ± abundant.

Cauline leaves

1–2.

1–4.

Inflorescences

(1–)2–11(–20)-flowered, usually openly cymose.

(1–)3–40-flowered, congested or elongating in fruit.

Pedicels

(0.8–)1–2(–4) cm, straight to ± recurved in fruit.

0.2–1 cm (proximal to 3.5 cm).

Flowers

epicalyx bractlets linear-lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, sometimes doubled, 2–3.5(–5) × 1 mm;

hypanthium 3–5 mm diam.;

sepals 3.5–5.5(–7) mm, apex acute to obtuse;

petals 4–7(–8) × 3.5–8 mm;

filaments 1–2.5 mm, anthers 0.4–1 mm usually ± 1/2 as long as filaments;

carpels 10–20, styles 2–3 mm.

epicalyx bractlets usually ± lanceolate-elliptic, rarely ± ovate-elliptic, 3–6(–8) × (1–)1.5–2(–2.5) mm, lengths ± equal to sepals, margins ± revolute;

hypanthium 3–6 mm diam.;

sepals (3–)4–6(–8) mm, apex acute to obtuse, abaxial surfaces: venation indistinct, glands abundant, ± evident;

petals pale to bright yellow, (3–)4–7 × (3–)4–7 mm, lengths ± equal to sepals;

filaments (0.5–)1–2 mm, anthers 0.5–0.8(–1) mm;

carpels 50–100, styles papillate-swollen in proximal ± 1/2, ± 1 mm.

Achenes

1.5–2 mm, smooth, not carunculate.

1.2 mm, ± to strongly rugose.

2n

= 28.

Potentilla ovina

Potentilla pensylvanica

Phenology Flowering summer.
Habitat Open prairies, steppe bluffs, shallow gravelly soil, rocky ridges and outcrops, dry stream channels, similar disturbed sites
Elevation 100–4000 m (300–13100 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
CO; ID; MT; NV; OR; UT; WY; AB; BC
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
from FNA
AK; AZ; CA; CO; IA; ID; MN; MT; ND; NE; NM; NV; SD; TX; UT; WY; AB; BC; MB; NT; ON; QC; SK; YT; Mexico (Tamaulipas); Eurasia
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Potentilla ovina is here accepted as an implicit new name by J. M. Macoun for P. diversifolia var. pinnatisecta, in agreement with N. H. Holmgren (1997b). In contrast, B. C. Johnston (1980) considered the names heterotypic. Potentilla ovina has priority at the species rank over P. pinnatisecta by one month.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Even in the reduced circumscription used here, Potentilla pensylvanica is exceptionally widespread, occurring in North America from Alaska to Hudson Bay, in the Great Plains and the North American Cordillera to northern Mexico. The species also grows across Siberia (where it has sometimes been called P. sibirica) and as isolated occurrences in the southwestern Alps and Spain (J. Soják 1987c; A. Kurtto et al. in J. Jalas et al. 1972+, vol. 13). One place P. pensylvanica does not occur is in Pennsylvania; the epithet was applied by Linnaeus to cultivated plants originating from Canada. Collections from Quebec are probably introductions (J. Cayouette, pers. comm.). The Oregon citation of P. pensylvanica (D. Mansfield 2000) refers to P. jepsonii.

Significant variation occurs within Potentilla pensylvanica, especially regarding vestiture and plant stature. J. Soják (1987c) has described several varieties, all Eurasian except var. brevipila (long hairs 0.6–1 mm); diminutive specimens from the Brooks Range of northern Alaska, isolated from other known populations of P. pensylvanica, have been described as P. brooksensis. Although much of the ecogeographic variation may merit recognition, at least at varietal level, doing so is postponed pending further analysis and clarification of nomenclature. Among the extremes are plants from the Great Plains, which have abundant long silky hairs overlying and obscuring the velvety layer of short hairs (resembling sympatric P. litoralis), and glabrate (except for glands) populations in Alaska. E. Hultén (1968) erroneously referred to the latter as P. pensylvanica var. glabrata (Lehmann) S. Watson; that name is a synonym of P. ovina var. ovina (sect. Multijugae). Most populations in Alaska also have larger than average flowers (petals to 7 × 7 mm, anthers ca. 1 mm).

Although Potentilla pensylvanica var. strigosa Pursh has been one of the most commonly used varieties in North America, the name has been effectively lectotypified by J. Soják (1987c) on a collection from Siberia. Soják identified this collection as the hybrid between P. pensylvanica and the Asian P. sanguisorba D. F. K. Schlechtendal; var. strigosa accordingly does not occur in North America.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Key
1. Distal leaflets: ± whole margin pinnately incised 3/4+ to midvein, teeth 4–9(–11), linear, surfaces grayish, rarely green, hairs sparse to dense.
var. ovina
1. Distal leaflets: distal 1/4–1/2(–3/4) of margin unevenly to pinnately incised 1/2–2/3(–3/4) to midvein, teeth 2–5(–7), ovate to oblong, surfaces green, hairs absent (except on margins) or sparse.
var. decurrens
Source FNA vol. 9, p. 171. FNA vol. 9, p. 214.
Parent taxa Rosaceae > subfam. Rosoideae > tribe Potentilleae > Potentilla > sect. Multijugae Rosaceae > subfam. Rosoideae > tribe Potentilleae > Potentilla > sect. Pensylvanicae
Sibling taxa
P. albiflora, P. ambigens, P. anachoretica, P. angelliae, P. anglica, P. anserina, P. arenosa, P. argentea, P. arizonica, P. basaltica, P. bicrenata, P. biennis, P. biflora, P. bimundorum, P. bipinnatifida, P. brevifolia, P. breweri, P. bruceae, P. brunnescens, P. canadensis, P. concinna, P. cottamii, P. crantzii, P. crebridens, P. crinita, P. cristae, P. demotica, P. drummondii, P. effusa, P. elegans, P. erecta, P. flabellifolia, P. fragiformis, P. furcata, P. glaucophylla, P. gracilis, P. grayi, P. hickmanii, P. hippiana, P. holmgrenii, P. hookeriana, P. hyparctica, P. inclinata, P. intermedia, P. jepsonii, P. johnstonii, P. lasiodonta, P. litoralis, P. macounii, P. millefolia, P. modesta, P. morefieldii, P. multijuga, P. multisecta, P. nana, P. newberryi, P. nivea, P. norvegica, P. paucijuga, P. pedersenii, P. pensylvanica, P. plattensis, P. pseudosericea, P. pulchella, P. pulcherrima, P. recta, P. reptans, P. rhyolitica, P. rimicola, P. rivalis, P. robbinsiana, P. rubella, P. rubricaulis, P. sanguinea, P. saximontana, P. sierrae-blancae, P. simplex, P. sterilis, P. stipularis, P. subgorodkovii, P. subjuga, P. subvahliana, P. subviscosa, P. supina, P. thurberi, P. thuringiaca, P. tikhomirovii, P. townsendii, P. uliginosa, P. uschakovii, P. vahliana, P. verna, P. versicolor, P. villosa, P. villosula, P. vulcanicola, P. wheeleri
P. albiflora, P. ambigens, P. anachoretica, P. angelliae, P. anglica, P. anserina, P. arenosa, P. argentea, P. arizonica, P. basaltica, P. bicrenata, P. biennis, P. biflora, P. bimundorum, P. bipinnatifida, P. brevifolia, P. breweri, P. bruceae, P. brunnescens, P. canadensis, P. concinna, P. cottamii, P. crantzii, P. crebridens, P. crinita, P. cristae, P. demotica, P. drummondii, P. effusa, P. elegans, P. erecta, P. flabellifolia, P. fragiformis, P. furcata, P. glaucophylla, P. gracilis, P. grayi, P. hickmanii, P. hippiana, P. holmgrenii, P. hookeriana, P. hyparctica, P. inclinata, P. intermedia, P. jepsonii, P. johnstonii, P. lasiodonta, P. litoralis, P. macounii, P. millefolia, P. modesta, P. morefieldii, P. multijuga, P. multisecta, P. nana, P. newberryi, P. nivea, P. norvegica, P. ovina, P. paucijuga, P. pedersenii, P. plattensis, P. pseudosericea, P. pulchella, P. pulcherrima, P. recta, P. reptans, P. rhyolitica, P. rimicola, P. rivalis, P. robbinsiana, P. rubella, P. rubricaulis, P. sanguinea, P. saximontana, P. sierrae-blancae, P. simplex, P. sterilis, P. stipularis, P. subgorodkovii, P. subjuga, P. subvahliana, P. subviscosa, P. supina, P. thurberi, P. thuringiaca, P. tikhomirovii, P. townsendii, P. uliginosa, P. uschakovii, P. vahliana, P. verna, P. versicolor, P. villosa, P. villosula, P. vulcanicola, P. wheeleri
Subordinate taxa
P. ovina var. decurrens, P. ovina var. ovina
Synonyms P. diversifolia var. pinnatisecta, P. pinnatisecta, P. plattensis var. pinnatisecta P. atrovirens, P. brooksensis, P. pensylvanica var. arida, P. pensylvanica var. brevipila, P. sibirica
Name authority J. M. Macoun: Canad. Rec. Sci. 6: 464. (1896) Linnaeus: Mant. Pl. 1: 76. (1767)
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