Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla
Blueleaf cinquefoil
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla (Blueleaf cinquefoil) is a native California perennial in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Blue-green waxy coating on leaves is distinctive.
Blueleaf cinquefoil is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in moist, rocky alpine areas at elevations of 2,600 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white flowers with petals 6 to 8 millimeters long in clusters less than 20 flowers. Growing with ascending stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms tufts from a few-branched woody base. Its distinctive palmate leaves have 5 leaflets, with the central leaflet 15 to 40 millimeters long, oblanceolate in shape, and glaucous blue-green in color with 3 to 7 teeth near the tip. The small fruit is pale brown and approximately 1.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. Blue-green waxy coating on leaves is distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally +- rocky, moist areas
Elevation: 2600-3500 m
California counties: Mono, El Dorado, Fresno, Placer, Tulare, Tuolumne, Inyo, Modoc
Outside California: western North America, Greenland
Bloom period
Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla blooms Jul-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 glaucophylla var. glaucophylla native to California?
Yes. Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla bloom?
Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla grow?
Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla occurs in Mono, El Dorado, Fresno, Placer, Tulare, Tuolumne, Inyo, Modoc, at elevations of 2600-3500 m.
What plant family does Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla belong to?
Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla grow in?
Potentilla glaucophylla var. glaucophylla grows in Generally +- rocky, moist areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Potentilla gracilis — Slender cinquefoil
- Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri — Elmer's cinquefoil
- Potentilla gracilis var. fastigiata — Slender cinquefoil
- Potentilla gracilis var. flabelliformis — Cupform leaf cinquefoil
- Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis — Graceful cinquefoil
- Potentilla grayi — Gray's cinquefoil
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.