Potentilla rimicola
Cliff cinquefoil
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Potentilla rimicola (Cliff cinquefoil) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by cliff habitat and recurved fruiting pedicels.
Cliff cinquefoil is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the San Jacinto Mountains in granite crevices at elevations of 2,400 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white flowers about 4 to 7 millimeters wide with delicate petals. Growing with spreading stems 5 to 20 centimeters long that are covered in ascending hairs, it forms a hanging, taprooted habit. Its palmate leaves have 5 leaflets, with the central leaflet 10 to 30 millimeters long, obovate in shape and distinctively toothed along the upper half. The fruit is small, approximately 1.5 millimeters long, with a characteristic red tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; key features are cliff habitat and recurved fruiting pedicels
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite crevices
Elevation: 2400-2800 m
California counties: Riverside
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Potentilla rimicola blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 rimicola native to California?
Yes. Potentilla rimicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla rimicola bloom?
Potentilla rimicola blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Potentilla rimicola grow?
Potentilla rimicola occurs in Riverside, at elevations of 2400-2800 m.
What plant family does Potentilla rimicola belong to?
Potentilla rimicola is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
Is Potentilla rimicola rare or endangered?
Potentilla rimicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, 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.