Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri
Elmer's cinquefoil
(c) Alan Covington, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Covington · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri (Elmer's cinquefoil) is a native California perennial in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Hair pattern and tooth characteristics distinguish among gracilis varieties.
Elmer's cinquefoil is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains, Transverse Ranges, San Jacinto Mountains, and southeastern Sierra Nevada in dry meadows at elevations of 1,280 to 3,050 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces yellow flowers 5 to 8 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing with slender stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, it has hairs generally appressed along its length. Its distinctive leaves feature a central basal leaflet 20 to 60 millimeters long, densely woolly on the underside and deeply toothed nearly to the midvein, with teeth often narrowest at their base. The plant forms a delicate, ground-hugging cluster with finely divided foliage characteristic of the cinquefoil group.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species. Hair pattern and tooth characteristics distinguish among gracilis varieties.
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry meadows
Elevation: 1280-3050 m
California counties: Plumas, Mono, Lassen, Placer, Fresno, Ventura, Inyo, Kern, Shasta, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Tulare, Madera, Alpine, El Dorado, Siskiyou, Tuolumne
Outside California: western North America
Bloom period
Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri blooms Jun-Aug.
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 gracilis var. elmeri native to California?
Yes. Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri bloom?
Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri grow?
Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri occurs in Plumas, Mono, Lassen, Placer, Fresno, Ventura, Inyo, Kern and other counties, at elevations of 1280-3050 m.
What plant family does Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri belong to?
Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri grow in?
Potentilla gracilis var. elmeri grows in dry meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.