| Comarum palustre | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Comarum |
| Species: | C. palustre |
| Binomial name | |
| Comarum palustre L. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Potentilla palustris (L.) Scop. |
|
Comarum palustre (syn. Potentilla palustris), known by the common names Purple Marshlocks, Swamp Cinquefoil and Marsh Cinquefoil, is a common waterside shrub. It has a Circumboreal distribution, occurring throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, particularly the northern regions. It is most commonly found on lake shores, marshy riversides and stream margins, often partly submerged with foliage floating. It is a parent of some Fragaria × Comarum hybrids, ornamental plants produced by crossing with strawberries.
Its branches spread into leaves with 3 to 7 narrow leaflets which are sharply jagged. The stem is a reddish brown, low sprawling, vine-like structure. Flowers extend from the branch which vary from red to purple, and are about 1 inch in diameter, blooming in summer.
Swamp Cinquefoil prefers peat soils but can also grow in moist sandy areas. It flourishes in USDA Zone 3 (minimum -40ºF). It grows to about 12"-18" wide by 12"-18" in height when cultivated properly.