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Photo is of parent taxon

bushy cinquefoil, spreading cinquefoil

Stems

prostrate to ascending, sometimes erect, (1–)2–4(–6) dm, hairs at base not particularly stiff, not tubercle-based, glands absent or sparse, inconspicuous.

Leaves

pinnate (with distal leaflets ± confluent), 5–12(–15) cm;

petiole 1–6(–8) cm, long hairs sparse to common, ± ascending, sometimes erect or appressed, 0.5–1(–1.5) mm, usually ± weak, crisped hairs absent or sparse to common, glands sparse to common, inconspicuous;

leaflets 5–9, on distal (1/4–)1/2–2/3 of leaf axis, ± separate, largest ones oblanceolate to elliptic or obovate, 1–2(–4) × 0.6–1.2(–2.5) cm, distal 2/3 to ± whole margin ± evenly incised 1/4–1/2 to midvein, teeth (2–)4–6 per side, surfaces glabrate or sparsely hairy, glands mostly absent.

Inflorescences

(10–)20–100+-flowered.

Pedicels

0.5–2(–2.5) cm.

Flowers

epicalyx bractlets ± elliptic to narrowly ovate, 3–5(–7) × 1–2(–3) mm;

hypanthium 3–5 mm diam.;

sepals 3–5(–6) mm, apex acute to apiculate;

petals yellow, obovate, 2.5–5 × 2–4.5 mm;

stamens 20(–25), filaments 0.7–1.8(–2) mm, anthers 0.3–0.5 mm;

carpels ca. 100, styles 0.5–0.6 mm.

Achenes

brown, 0.7–1.3 mm, usually strongly rugose, developing a smooth, corky protuberance on ventral suture, often as large as body of achene.

2n

= 28.

Potentilla supina subsp. paradoxa

Phenology Flowering late spring–summer.
Habitat Sandy shorelines of lakes, reservoirs, and streams
Elevation 200–1600 m (700–5200 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
CO; IA; ID; IL; KS; LA; MI; MN; MO; MT; ND; NE; NM; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; SD; TX; UT; WA; WY; AB; BC; MB; NT; ON; SK; n Mexico; Eurasia
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Although subsp. paradoxa is relatively common and widespread in central North America, occurrences are more sporadic and possibly ephemeral in the far western states. The diagnostic corky protuberance on the achene is well developed only on fully mature achenes, appearing merely as a flap of membranous tissue in earlier stages.

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

Source FNA vol. 9, p. 139.
Parent taxa Rosaceae > subfam. Rosoideae > tribe Potentilleae > Potentilla > sect. Rivales > Potentilla supina
Synonyms P. paradoxa, P. nicolletii, P. supina var. nicolletii, P. supina var. paradoxa
Name authority (Nuttall) Soják: Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 4: 207. (1969)
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