Potentilla grayi
Gray's cinquefoil
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Potentilla grayi (Gray's cinquefoil) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Three leaflets and nearly hairless appearance are distinctive.
Gray's cinquefoil is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in alpine and subalpine meadows at elevations of 2,000 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white flowers with petals 4 to 7 millimeters long in small clusters of 1 to 5 blooms. Growing with ascending stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms a compact tuft or rosette from a short rhizome or taproot with sparsely strigose stems. Its distinctive ternate leaves have three leaflets, with the central leaflet 10 to 25 millimeters long, obovate in shape and evenly notched with 7 teeth along one-quarter to one-half of its length. The small fruits are light brown, smooth, and approximately 1.2 to 1.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species. Three leaflets and nearly hairless appearance are distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows
Elevation: 2000-2800 m
Bloom period
Potentilla grayi 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 grayi native to California?
Yes. Potentilla grayi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla grayi bloom?
Potentilla grayi blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Potentilla grayi belong to?
Potentilla grayi is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla grayi grow in?
Potentilla grayi grows in Meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.