Potentilla jepsonii
Jepson's cinquefoil
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Potentilla jepsonii (Jepson's cinquefoil) is a native California perennial in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . High alpine elevation and rolled leaf margins distinctive.
Jepson's cinquefoil is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and northern White and Inyo Mountains in alpine meadows and rocky barrens at elevations of 2,700 to 3,800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers in clusters of 3 to 12 blooms. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 5 to 25 centimeters tall and covered in ascending hairs, it forms a tufted cluster from a simple caudex. Its subpinnate leaves have 2 to 3 leaflets on each side, with elliptic-oblanceolate leaflets 5 to 20 millimeters long, densely hairy on the underside and more loosely hairy on the top surface. The tiny fruits are approximately 1 millimeter long and appear brownish with faint veining.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. High alpine elevation and rolled leaf margins distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alpine meadows, rocky barrens
Elevation: 2700-3800 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Tulare
Outside California: western North America
Bloom period
Potentilla jepsonii 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 jepsonii native to California?
Yes. Potentilla jepsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla jepsonii bloom?
Potentilla jepsonii blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Potentilla jepsonii grow?
Potentilla jepsonii occurs in Inyo, Mono, Tulare, at elevations of 2700-3800 m.
What plant family does Potentilla jepsonii belong to?
Potentilla jepsonii is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla jepsonii grow in?
Potentilla jepsonii grows in Alpine meadows, rocky barrens.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.