Potentilla morefieldii
Morefield's cinquefoil
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Potentilla morefieldii (Morefield's cinquefoil) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Very high elevation, limited range, and asymmetrically split leaflets.
Morefield's cinquefoil is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and northern White and Inyo Mountains in rocky alpine barrens at elevations of 3,300 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers with petals 4 to 6 millimeters long in small clusters of 5 to 15 blooms. Growing as a low-spreading plant with prostrate to decumbent stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms a compact tuft from a few-branched caudex. Its pinnate leaves have 2 to 4 leaflets on each side, with oblanceolate leaflets 5 to 20 millimeters long, densely white-woolly underneath and green and slightly hairy on top, with irregular 7 to 9 teeth along the edges. The small fruits are pale brown, approximately 1.8 millimeters long and smooth or slightly ridged.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species. Very high elevation, limited range, and asymmetrically split leaflets.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky alpine barrens
Elevation: 3300-4000 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo
Bloom period
Potentilla morefieldii blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 morefieldii native to California?
Yes. Potentilla morefieldii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla morefieldii bloom?
Potentilla morefieldii blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Potentilla morefieldii grow?
Potentilla morefieldii occurs in Mono, Inyo, at elevations of 3300-4000 m.
What plant family does Potentilla morefieldii belong to?
Potentilla morefieldii is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
Is Potentilla morefieldii rare or endangered?
Potentilla morefieldii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.