Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis
Graceful cinquefoil
(c) Alan Covington, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Covington · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis (Graceful cinquefoil) is a native California subshrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Spreading hairs and contrasting leaf surfaces distinguish this variety.
Graceful cinquefoil is a California native perennial found in northwestern Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and Cascade Ranges in meadow habitats at elevations of 120 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces yellow flowers with petals 7 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with spreading-haired stems 40 to 90 centimeters tall, it forms an upright and open structure. Its basal leaves feature a central leaflet 30 to 70 millimeters long, white-woolly on the underside and green with sparse hairs on top, with teeth extending about halfway to the midvein. The plant's distinctive spreading hairs and yellow flowers make it a notable meadow perennial.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species. Spreading hairs and contrasting leaf surfaces distinguish this variety.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows
Elevation: 120-1100 m
California counties: Fresno, Inyo, Lassen, Mariposa, Mendocino, Plumas, San Bernardino, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Humboldt, Shasta, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Alpine
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis 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. gracilis native to California?
Yes. Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis bloom?
Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis grow?
Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis occurs in Fresno, Inyo, Lassen, Mariposa, Mendocino, Plumas, San Bernardino, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of 120-1100 m.
What plant family does Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis belong to?
Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis grow in?
Potentilla gracilis var. gracilis grows in Meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.