Potentilla pulcherrima
Beautiful cinquefoil
(c) Rachel Stringham, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rachel Stringham · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Potentilla pulcherrima (Beautiful cinquefoil) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by very restricted range and habitat.
Beautiful cinquefoil is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern White and Inyo Mountains in dry meadow and stream edges at elevations of 3,000 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters with petals 5 to 6 millimeters long. Growing with ascending stems 20 to 45 centimeters tall that are spreading-hairy, it emerges from a short, thick rhizome. Its palmate basal leaves have 7 leaflets, with the central leaflet 20 to 50 millimeters long, oblanceolate in shape and evenly toothed along the edges, white-woolly underneath and green with sparse hairs on top. The fruit is small, approximately 1.5 millimeters long and light brown with fine veining.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; very restricted range and habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry edges of meadows, streams
Elevation: 3000-3100 m
California counties: Mono
Outside California: western North America
Bloom period
Potentilla pulcherrima blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 pulcherrima native to California?
Yes. Potentilla pulcherrima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla pulcherrima bloom?
Potentilla pulcherrima blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Potentilla pulcherrima grow?
Potentilla pulcherrima occurs in Mono, at elevations of 3000-3100 m.
What plant family does Potentilla pulcherrima belong to?
Potentilla pulcherrima is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
Is Potentilla pulcherrima rare or endangered?
Potentilla pulcherrima carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
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.