Potentilla biennis
Biennial or greene's cinquefoil, Greene's Cinquefoil
(c) Martin Purdy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Potentilla biennis (Biennial or greene's cinquefoil) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Three leaflets and tiny petals distinguish from all others.
Biennial or greene's cinquefoil is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, Great Basin, and Desert Mountains on moist shores at elevations of 1,500 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces small white to cream-colored flowers less than 2.5 millimeters long with oblanceolate-elliptic petals. Growing with ascending to erect stems 10 to 70 centimeters tall that are spreading-hairy, it develops a distinct taproot and spreads with glandular vegetation. Its ternate leaves feature three leaflets, with the central leaflet 5 to 30 millimeters long, obovate in shape and bearing 7 to 13 teeth along its edges. The plant produces tiny smooth fruits approximately 0.6 millimeters long, giving it a delicate and understated appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species. Three leaflets and tiny petals distinguish from all others.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist shores
Elevation: 1500-3100 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Mono, Plumas, Tulare, Modoc, Inyo, Kern, Ventura, Nevada, Fresno, Lassen, Mariposa, Riverside, Placer, Sierra, Butte, Siskiyou, Madera, Alpine, Los Angeles, San Diego, El Dorado
Outside California: western North America
Bloom period
Potentilla biennis blooms May-Oct.
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 biennis native to California?
Yes. Potentilla biennis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla biennis bloom?
Potentilla biennis blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Potentilla biennis grow?
Potentilla biennis occurs in San Bernardino, Mono, Plumas, Tulare, Modoc, Inyo, Kern, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of 1500-3100 m.
What plant family does Potentilla biennis belong to?
Potentilla biennis is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla biennis grow in?
Potentilla biennis grows in Moist shores.
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.