Potentilla anglica
English cinquefoil
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Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Potentilla anglica (English cinquefoil) is a non-native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Unique 4-petaled flowers and stolon growth pattern.
English cinquefoil is a naturalized perennial found in the San Joaquin Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and Peninsular Ranges on streambanks at elevations of 40 to 160 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to yellow flowers about 3 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with tufted stems spreading via stolons, it forms low-growing clusters with distinctive palmate leaves. Its leaves have 3 to 5 leaflets, with the central leaflet typically 10 to 25 millimeters long, wedge-shaped to obovate and distally toothed along the upper margin. The plant bears small brown fruits approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters long, characteristic of its cinquefoil lineage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Unique 4-petaled flowers and stolon growth pattern are diagnostic.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streambanks
Elevation: 40-160 m
California counties: Marin, San Francisco, Mendocino, Sacramento, Butte, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Fresno
Outside California: sporadic in North America and elsewhere, native to Europe
Bloom period
Potentilla anglica blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Drymocallis: Potentilla styles stay thread-thin throughout; Drymocallis styles are swollen in the middle like tiny clubs.; vs Fragaria: Potentilla typically has 5+ leaflets; Fragaria has three leaflets.; vs Argentina: Potentilla leaves are green on both sides; Argentina leaves are silvery-white beneath.; vs Ranunculus: Potentilla has compound leaves with distinct leaflets; Ranunculus typically has lobed or divided leaves.; vs Rubus: Potentilla is herbaceous with dry seed clusters; Rubus is woody-stemmed with compound berry fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Potentilla anglica native to California?
No. Potentilla anglica is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Potentilla anglica bloom?
Potentilla anglica blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Potentilla anglica grow?
Potentilla anglica occurs in Marin, San Francisco, Mendocino, Sacramento, Butte, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Riverside and other counties, at elevations of 40-160 m.
What plant family does Potentilla anglica belong to?
Potentilla anglica is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla anglica grow in?
Potentilla anglica grows in Streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.