Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides
Cinquefoil tansy
Photo: parent species Sphaeromeria potentilloides · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides (Cinquefoil tansy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by non-alkaline habitat, moderate size, and many heads.
Cinquefoil tansy is a California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada and Great Basin mountain meadows and hot springs at elevations of 1,300 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small yellow flowers in compact clusters of 4 to 20 heads about 4 to 5 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it features delicate leafy branches that spread in an open, airy pattern. Its leaves are distinctively divided, with basal leaves typically 2 to 3-pinnately split and cauline leaves pinnately divided, creating a feathery, intricate foliage texture. The plant forms compact clumps in mountain meadows, with finely cut leaves that give it a delicate, lacy appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by non-alkaline habitat, moderate size, and many heads
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon; mountain meadows, hot springs, generally not alkaline areas
Elevation: 1300-2100 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Pentachaeta: Sphaeromeria has tiny yellow buttonlike heads in flat clusters; Pentachaeta has daisy-like flowers with white or purple ray petals.; vs Tanacetum: Sphaeromeria has much smaller heads (3-5mm) with only 12-20 bracts; Tanacetum has larger heads with 30-60 bracts.; vs Artemisia: Sphaeromeria has flat-topped flower clusters forming cushions; Artemisia has elongated spike-like or pyramidal flower arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides native to California?
Yes. Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides bloom?
Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides belong to?
Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides is in the Asteraceae family, genus Sphaeromeria.
What habitat does Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides grow in?
Sphaeromeria potentilloides var. potentilloides grows in Uncommon; mountain meadows, hot springs, generally not alkaline areas.
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.