Potentilla pseudosericea
Mono cinquefoil, Mono Cinquefoil
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Potentilla pseudosericea (Mono cinquefoil) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by high elevation, palmate leaves with white-strigose upper surface.
Mono cinquefoil is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains, northern Inyo and White Mountains, and northern Sweetwater Mountains in rocky alpine environments at elevations of 3,200 to 4,300 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small white flowers approximately 4 millimeters long in clusters of 3 to 10 blooms. Growing with low-spreading stems 2 to 15 centimeters tall, the plant forms tufted or matted clumps from a branched caudex. Its palmate leaves have 5 leaflets, with central leaflets 10 to 15 millimeters long, obovate in shape and densely white-strigose, with margins rolled slightly under. The fruit is pale brown and approximately 1 millimeter long, with a smooth surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; key features are high elevation, palmate leaves with white-strigose upper surface
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky flats, slopes
Elevation: 3200-4300 m
California counties: Inyo, Tulare, Fresno, Mono, Tuolumne
Bloom period
Potentilla pseudosericea 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 pseudosericea native to California?
Yes. Potentilla pseudosericea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla pseudosericea bloom?
Potentilla pseudosericea blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Potentilla pseudosericea grow?
Potentilla pseudosericea occurs in Inyo, Tulare, Fresno, Mono, Tuolumne, at elevations of 3200-4300 m.
What plant family does Potentilla pseudosericea belong to?
Potentilla pseudosericea is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla pseudosericea grow in?
Potentilla pseudosericea grows in Rocky flats, slopes.
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.