Wildflowers of the United States

Home Journal Family Index - All States Photo Albums News About Privacy

Sulfur Cinquefoil, Roughfruit Cinquefoil - Potentilla recta


Family: Rosaceae - Rose family Genus Common Name: Cinquefoil Native Status: IntroducedDicot Perennial Herb
Potentilla recta - Sulfur Cinquefoil, Roughfruit Cinquefoil. Sulfur Cinquefoil is an upright perennial with hairy stems to nearly 3 feet tall, found frequently along roadsides throughout most of the United States. This non-native was introduced from Europe, and is so invasive that despite its beauty is considered an obnoxious weed in Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and is found in all but 5 states. Sulfur Cinquefoil is also known as Roughfruit Cinquefoil.

Leave comments on Potentilla recta at this link.
Potentilla recta

Distribution of Potentilla recta in the United States and Canada:
USDA Map temporarily unavailable.
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2017. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 16 Jan 2025). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Search Our Database: Enter any portion of the Scientific, Common Name, or both.
Scientific name:
Common name:

Example: Enter "lob" in the common name field and you'll get all our species that have "lobelia" in the common name, as well as "sharp-lobed hepatica".

Do a general Google search of the entire site:


#ad

Follow on Twitter
Follow USWildflowers on Twitter





#ad
Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2008-May-23Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D40
1/640f/5.6 ISO400
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 4-5.6G ED
200mm (300 equiv)
Sulfur Cinquefoil has 5 shallowly-notched yellow petals. The central part of the blossom is a deeper, sulfur yellow, which give the plant its common name.
Potentilla recta
Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2009-May-11Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
1/320f/11 ISO200
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
90mm (135 equiv)
In the center of the five yellow petals of Potentilla recta are a cluster of many roundish, flattened stamens which encircle the central sulfur-colored cluster of many pistils.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Potentilla recta
Site: Walker County, Ga Date: 2009-May-11Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
1/200f/11 ISO200
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
90mm (135 equiv)
Underneath the 5 petals of Sulfur Cinquefoil are several hairy, pointed sepals.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Potentilla recta
Site: Walker County, Ga Date: 2009-May-11Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
1/160f/7.1 ISO200
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
90mm (135 equiv)
The palmately compound leaves of Sulfur Cinquefoil have 5 to 7 toothed leaflets on the lower leaves; the upper leaves may only have 3 leaflets. They are hairy underneath, and the lower leaves are borne on long, hairy petioles. The upper leaves may be nearly sessile. They are alternate on the hairy stem.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Potentilla recta
Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2008-May-23Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D40
1/200f/8 ISO200
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 4-5.6G ED
75mm (112 equiv)
Sulfur Cinquefoil's several flowering branches above the erect stem can make for lovely dense thickets of the invasive plant.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Potentilla recta
References used for identification and information:
#ad
Potentilla recta initially published on USWildflowers.com 2009-12-20; Updated 2017-03-02

Commercial / Cookie Notice

Looking for Wildflowers for a specific state? Check here: