potentille

Potentille, commonly known as the cinquefoil, refers to a genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae. The genus Potentilla comprises roughly 300 to 500 described species of herbaceous perennials and small shrubs. They are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and to high mountains in tropical areas, with a broad distribution across Europe, Asia, and North America. Potentille are valued in gardens for their hardiness, low maintenance, and long-lasting blooms.

Leaves of Potentilla are typically palmately divided into three to seven leaflets with serrated margins, though leaf form varies among species. The flowers usually have five petals and five to numerous stamens; colors range from the classic yellow in many species to white, pink, or bicolor forms in cultivated varieties. Flowers are often arranged in loose inflorescences, and fruits are typically aggregates of achenes.

Taxonomically, Potentilla is placed in Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae. Classification can vary by authority: some modern treatments place several shrubs traditionally called shrub cinquefoils in a separate genus, Dasiphora. As a result, the circumscription of Potentilla differs among taxonomic systems, particularly for the shrubby forms.

In horticulture, Potentilla species are widely grown as ornamentals for groundcover, borders, or rock gardens. They generally tolerate sun and poor, well-drained soils and exhibit drought tolerance in suitable climates. Propagation is often by division or cuttings, and numerous cultivars have been developed to emphasize compact growth and a range of flower colors. Potentille thus serves both ecological and aesthetic roles in temperate garden settings.