| Potentilla | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Potentilla |
| Species: | P. villosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Potentilla villosa Pallas ex. Pursh |
|
Potentilla villosa is a species of cinquefoil (genus Potentilla) known by the common name Northern Cinquefoil. Potentilla Villosa is a member of the Rose Family (Rosaceae). It is native to Western North America from British Columbia to Alaska and Washington.
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The petals of Potentilla villosa, brightly colored yellow petals, stand out amongst its environment. Bees, hover flies, mini-wasps and butterflies act as pollinators for Potentilla Villosa.
Potentilla villosa is a perennial plant which blooms into a 5-petaled flower midsummer. It is known for growing up to 6 inches from short, thick woody rhizomes.[1] The branches emerge just above the middle of the plant. Individuals of this species basal leaves are in groups of threes. The leaflets are thick and leather like with silky hairs on top and wooly hairs on the underside. Each leaflet's ridges are coarsely toothed. Each leaf has a venation pattern of pinnate.[2] The petals grow in groups of five, very common for eudicot plants.
Flowers of Potentilla villosa usually found in clusters of 1-5. The petals of Potentilla Villosa are a bright yellow color and have a very distinct orange spot on its base. The fruit developed from Potentilla Villosa, Achenes, are clustered, with a lopsided-egg-shape.[3]
Potentilla villosa can be found in the North-Western portion of North America where it thrives in dry to mesic coastal bluffs, beaches, meadows and rocky slopes in all zones. Potentilla Villosa has been found in some regions of Asia. Populations of Potentilla Vilosula, which are also native to the region, are said to be very similar to Potentilla Villosa despite their difference in areas in which they thrive.[4] The climate in which it survives ranges from 25°C- 40°C year round.