Potentilla pensylvanica
Prairie cinquefoil, Prairie Cinquefoil
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Potentilla pensylvanica (Prairie cinquefoil) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by distinctive high elevation alpine habitat.
Prairie cinquefoil is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and White and Inyo Mountains in rocky alpine barrens at elevations of 2,700 to 3,800 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces pale yellow or white flowers approximately 3 to 5 millimeters wide in compact clusters of 3 to 10 blooms. Growing with ascending to erect stems 8 to 25 centimeters tall, it forms a tufted plant with a branched caudex and densely short-spreading hairs. Its pinnate basal leaves have 3 to 6 leaflets per side, each 10 to 25 millimeters long, with elliptic-oblanceolate shape and nearly evenly toothed margins that are rolled slightly under. The compact plant bears small fruits 1 to 1.5 millimeters long that are slightly veined and brown.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive high elevation alpine habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky alpine barrens
Elevation: 2700-3800 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo, Fresno, Tuolumne
Outside California: North America, Eurasia
Bloom period
Potentilla pensylvanica blooms Jul-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 pensylvanica native to California?
Yes. Potentilla pensylvanica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla pensylvanica bloom?
Potentilla pensylvanica blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Potentilla pensylvanica grow?
Potentilla pensylvanica occurs in Mono, Inyo, Fresno, Tuolumne, at elevations of 2700-3800 m.
What plant family does Potentilla pensylvanica belong to?
Potentilla pensylvanica is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla pensylvanica grow in?
Potentilla pensylvanica grows in Rocky alpine barrens.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.