Potentilla rivalis
Brook or river cinquefoil, River Cinquefoil
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Potentilla rivalis (Brook or river cinquefoil) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by annual habit and very small petals < sepals.
Brook cinquefoil is a California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges, High Cascades, Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, Central Western California, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, Modoc Plateau, and Sonoran Desert in moist, somewhat disturbed areas at elevations of 40 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from March to November, this plant produces pale yellow to white flowers in small clusters. Growing with ascending stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall that are covered in spreading hairs, it develops a taproot. Its ternate leaves have 3 to 5 leaflets, with central leaflets 10 to 40 millimeters long, oblanceolate to elliptic, and irregularly toothed along one-third of their length. The small light brown fruits are approximately 0.8 millimeters long and smooth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 sympatric species; key features are annual habit and very small petals < sepals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, +- disturbed areas
Elevation: 40-2100 m
Outside California: western and central North America
Bloom period
Potentilla rivalis blooms Mar-Nov.
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 rivalis native to California?
Yes. Potentilla rivalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla rivalis bloom?
Potentilla rivalis blooms Mar-Nov.
What plant family does Potentilla rivalis belong to?
Potentilla rivalis is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
What habitat does Potentilla rivalis grow in?
Potentilla rivalis grows in Moist, +- disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.