Cinquefoils, Strawberries and allies
What are they?
These yellow and white-flowered plants are members of the rose family and show the typical five-petaled flowers of that group. Most are low-growing, herbaceous perennials, though some are small, woody shrubs.
Where are they found?
Cinquefoils are usually found in sunny, short grassland and other open areas such as roadsides and field edges. The low, trailing species can be easily overlooked when not in flower. The white-flowered species tend to be more often in shady locations.
Identification
Most cinquefoil species have rather similar, yellow flowers so identification is based mainly on the leaves. Strawberries and avens differ from cinquefoils in having pointed, rather than notched, petals.
Soft Agrimony Agrimonia pubescens
A scarce and declining species of loamy woodland. Flowers July to September. Related to - and could be confused with - the cinquefoils but flowers are carried in a spike and leaves are longer with small bract-like leaflets along the central stem (rachis) of the leaf.
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Creeping Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans
Introduced from Europe. Uncertain status in New Jersey with only a few records. Currently known in Cape May from a single site at the Cape May Coastguards Unit. Flowers June to September. Very similar to Common Cinquefoil but flowers are larger (18-25mm wide) with broader petals. Most likely to be found in disturbed habitats or artificial habitats such as lawns.
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Common Cinquefoil Potentilla simplex
Despite the name, less common than Dwarf Cinquefoil around Cape May, but favors similar habitats. Flowers April to June. Very similar to Dwarf Cinquefoil but leaflets narrower and the tip is more pointed. Flowers 10-15mm wide.
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Dwarf Cinquefoil Potentilla canadensis
Widespread and often common in all kinds of grassy places. Flowers April to May. Very similar to Common Cinquefoil and much confused with it in the past but Dwarf Cinquefoil has leaflets that are rather rounded at the tip in profile.
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more pointed |
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Russian Cinquefoil Potentilla intermedia
(Downy Cinquefoil) The status of this introduced species is uncertain in the Cape May area but there is an old report for the county, while it is currently known to occur at Cape May County Park South, in grassy fields. Flowers May to September. An upright species, growing to 1-2ft high.
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Rough Cinquefoil Potentilla norvegica
(Norwegian Cinquefoil) A few records known from rough, grassy habitats and disturbed areas. Flowers June to September. An uninspiring cinquefoil with relatively small flowers and coarsely hairy stems and leaves.
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Hoary Cinquefoil Potentilla argentea
(Silver Cinquefoil) Introduced from Europe. A low-growing species of grassy places. Flowers May to July. Easily told from other cinquefoils by the whitish undersides to the leaves.
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Sulphur Cinquefoil Potentilla recta
An introduced species, found occasionally in old, grassy fields and roadsides. Flowers May to September. An upright species, growing to 1-2ft high. Most easily told by its pale, sulphur-yellow flowers and strongly-toothed, fingered leaves.
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Indian Strawberry Potentilla indica
An introduced species from Asia which can quite quickly become invasive. Found in a wide range of habitats but usually in areas that have been disturbed, such as track and roadsides and waste ground. Usually prefers slightly shaded sites. Flowers April to June. Flowers resemble those of the cinquefoils, but have a ruff of leafy bracts behind them, while leaves have three (not five) leaflets. Fruits resemble small strawberries and are edible, but have little or no taste and are often rather dry.
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leafy bracts |
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American Strawberry Fragaria virginiana
(Common or Virginia Strawberry) Common in semi-shaded spots in woodland and field edge, roadsides and similar places. Flowers April to June and occasionally again in the fall. Flowers differ from those of the cinquefoils in being pointed (not notched) at the tip.
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White Avens Geum canadense
Common in woodland and along shady field borders. Flowers May to August. Seed heads have hooks that latch onto passing fur - and clothing!
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weak petals |
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Slender Parsley-piert Aphanes australis
Introduced from Europe. Widespread and common in mown grass areas in lawns, roadsides, municipal parks and similar places. Flowers April to June. An easily-overlooked, inconspicuous species which is usually no more than two inches high and forms tiny, spreading mats of parsley-like leaves. The flowers are tiny and petal-less and nestled in tight clusters in the leaf axils.
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Salad Burnet Poterium sanguisorba
(Small Burnet) Introduced from Europe. Status uncertain in Cape May County but currently known from a grassy meadow near Rio Grande. Flowers May to June. Globular flowerheads coupled with pinnate leaves with red midribs are distinctive. Most flowerheads have both male and female parts in each flower, but some are unisexual.
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