Abbotswood potentilla (Potentilla cinerea, Prosp. Hist. Pl. Dauphiné: 46 (1779))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: Chaix ex Vill.

Bibliography: Prosp. Hist. Pl. Dauphiné: 46 (1779)

Year: 1779

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Potentilla

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: C. & SE. Europe

Description

Abbotswood Potentilla, scientifically known as Potentilla cinerea, is a delightful and robust plant famously associated with the Rosaceae family. First documented in “Prosp. Hist. Pl. Dauphiné” in 1779 by Chaix ex Vill., this plant has continued to charm botanists and gardeners alike.

Native to Central and Southeastern Europe, Abbotswood Potentilla thrives in temperate regions where it showcases its resilience and adaptability. The plant is particularly well-suited to a variety of garden settings, from rustic countryside landscapes to more structured and formal garden designs.

This perennial herbaceous plant is celebrated for its beautiful, bright flowers that can light up any garden bed. The blooms are typically five-petaled, a hallmark of the Rosaceae family, and can range in color from white to vibrant yellow, depending on specific cultivars. The foliage is equally enchanting, with finely textured, greyish-green leaves that provide a lovely contrast to the blossoms.

Abbotswood Potentilla is not just prized for its aesthetic appeal but also for its hardiness. It can withstand a range of soil types and conditions, from well-drained sands to heavier clays, making it a versatile addition to any garden. Furthermore, it requires minimal maintenance, which makes it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners looking for a low-effort yet rewarding plant.

In its native regions of Central and Southeastern Europe, the plant often grows in open meadows, slopes, and rocky terrains, revealing its preference for sunny spots and its ability to tolerate drought conditions once established. This adaptability ensures that Abbotswood Potentilla can be a reliable performer in various environmental conditions.

Overall, Abbotswood Potentilla (Potentilla cinerea) stands out as a cherished member of the Rosaceae family, appreciated for its striking beauty, durability, and ease of care. Its enduring charm and versatility ensure that it will continue to be a favorite among plant enthusiasts and gardeners for many years to come.

Common Names

Deu: graufilziges fingerkraut
Eng: ashy cinquefoil
En: Abbotswood potentilla, Ashy Cinquefoil
Ca: Potentil·la cendrosa
Nl: Zandganzerik
Fr: Potentille cendrée, Potentille des sables
De: Graufilziges Fingerkraut, Aschgraues Fingerkraut, Sand-Fingerkraut
It: Cinquefoglia arenaria, Cinquefoglia cinerea

Synonyms

• Potentilla vestita (Jord.)
• Potentilla arenaria subvar. minutula ((Beck) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla acaulis subsp. velutina ((Wall. ex Lehm.) Soják)
• Potentilla arenaria f. ternata ((Čelak.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla incana subvar. battersbyi ((Siegfr. ex R.Keller) Burnat & Briq.)
• Potentilla cinerea trifoliata (Szontágh)
• Potentilla cinerea var. clementii ((Jord.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla subacaulis subsp. albicans ((Moggr.) Arcang.)
• Potentilla cinerea var. ternata (Čelak.)
• Potentilla cinerea var. discolor (Heuff.)
• Potentilla opaca var. sericea (Lapeyr.)
• Potentilla verna var. velutina ((Wall. ex Lehm.) Gams)
• Potentilla battersbyi (Siegfr. ex Zimmeter)
• Potentilla arenaria subvar. epipsila ((Beck) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla cinerea var. velutina ((Wall. ex Lehm.) Lehm.)
• Potentilla vivariensis (Jord.)
• Potentilla arenaria f. pusilla ((Heuff.) Soó)
• Potentilla cinerea f. minutula (Beck)
• Potentilla cinerea var. praetutiana (Ten.)
• Potentilla clementei (Jord.)
• Potentilla cinerea f. vestita ((Jord.) Beck)
• Potentilla cinerea subvar. incana ((G.Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb. ex C.C. Gmel.) Nyman)
• Potentilla subacaulis var. clementii ((Jord.) Nyman)
• Potentilla cinerea var. trisecta ((Scholz) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla cinerea var. typica (Beck)
• Potentilla velutina var. clementii ((Jord.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla subacaulis var. velutina ((Wall. ex Lehm.) Fiori)
• Potentilla polymorpha var. cinerea ((Chaix ex Vill.) Spenn.)
• Potentilla arenaria var. tommasiniana ((F.W.Schultz) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla subacaulis var. latiloba (Ser.)
• Potentilla subacaulis var. genuina (Glehn)
• Potentilla bolzanensis (Zimmeter)
• Potentilla subacaulis subsp. cinerea ((Chaix ex Vill.) Arcang.)
• Potentilla zapateri var. longidentata (Pau)
• Potentilla cinerea var. rouxiana (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Potentilla arenaria subvar. ternata ((Čelak.) Th.Wolf)
• Dynamidium subacaule ((L.) Fourr.)
• Potentilla bolzanensis var. macrantha (F.Saut.)
• Potentilla arenaria f. minutula ((Beck) Soó)
• Potentilla arenaria var. ternata ((Čelak.) Soó)
• Potentilla incana var. cinerea ((Chaix ex Vill.) Burnat & Briq.)
• Potentilla acaulis subsp. cinerea ((Chaix ex Vill.) Soják)
• Potentilla incana var. arenicola ((H.Roux) Burnat)
• Potentilla zapateri (Pau)
• Potentilla cinerea var. concolor (Heuff.)
• Potentilla praetutiana ((Ten.) Grande)
• Fragaria incana (Lam.)
• Potentilla cinerea clementei ((Jord.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla cinerea var. clementei ((Jord.) Nyman)
• Potentilla subacaulis var. albicans (Moggr.)
• Potentilla cinerea var. battersbyi ((Siegfr. ex R.Keller) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Potentilla cinerea subsp. subacaulis ((L.) Nyman)
• Dynamidium vivariense ((Jord.) Fourr.)
• Potentilla bescansae (Gredilla)
• Potentilla cinerea f. epipsila (Beck)
• Dynamidium clementei ((Jord.) Fourr.)
• Potentilla arenicola (H.Roux)
• Potentilla subacaulis (L.)
• Fragaria subacaulis (L. ex Crantz)
• Potentilla arenaria f. trisecta (Scholz)
• Potentilla verna var. vivariensis ((Jord.) Nyman)
• Potentilla cinerea f. genevensis (Siegfr.)
• Potentilla cinerea subsp. velutina ((Wall. ex Lehm.) Nyman)
• Potentilla cinerea var. pusilla (Heuff.)
• Potentilla cinerea subvar. vestita ((Jord.) Nyman)
• Dasiphora subacaulis ((L.) Raf.)
• Potentilla cinerea f. clementii ((Jord.) Beck)
• Potentilla verna subsp. cinerea ((Chaix ex Vill.) Gams)
• Potentilla subacaulis var. cinerea ((Chaix ex Vill.) Fiori)
• Potentilla bolzanensis var. micrantha (F.Saut.)
• Potentilla ovata (Poir.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Sep 4, 2018 by Sergio Moliner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by E T (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Robert Corrignan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2014 by Joan Curià (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Luis Mampel (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − kruemelkoenig (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Havranka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2014 by Joan Curià (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 9, 2021 by Hortense06 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Havranka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2021 by Pavol Kašprák (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2021 by Богуславский Владимир (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:727870-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5365379)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potentilla cinerea Chaix ex Vill.)

Specifications

Growth