Family: Rosaceae
Author: Laichard.
Bibliography: Veg. Europ. 1: 475 (1790)
Year: 1790
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Potentilla
Vegetable: False
Observations: Macaronesia, Europe to Siberia and Türkiye
Description
English cinquefoil, scientifically known as Potentilla anglica, is a resilient and versatile perennial herb. This plant, belonging to the Rosaceae family, is recognized for its distinct appearance and wide geographical distribution.
The English cinquefoil is commonly found from the Macaronesia region, encompassing several North Atlantic archipelagos, through a vast range spanning Europe to Siberia and Türkiye. Its adaptability to diverse climates and terrains has made it a familiar presence across these extensive regions.
Characteristically, Potentilla anglica features clusters of small, bright yellow flowers with five rounded petals, resembling the shape and structure of many members of the Rosaceae family. The plant’s leaves often display a palmate design, with a texture that varies from soft to slightly serrated edges, depending on the subspecies and environmental conditions. Its stems are typically slender and can grow upright or spread outward, forming a low to mid-level ground cover that is both attractive and practical for erosion control.
Historically, the English cinquefoil has been noted for its potential medicinal properties, a common trait among many Rosaceae family members. Traditional uses often include applications for minor wounds and inflammations, though modern scientific validation for these uses varies.
In horticulture, Potentilla anglica is valued for its decorative appeal and low maintenance requirements. Gardeners appreciate its ability to thrive in varied soil types, from well-drained sandy soils to more compact clay substrates, provided there is adequate sunlight.
Recorded in the botanical literature Veg. Europ. 1: 475 (1790) under the authorship of Laichard, Potentilla anglica remains an essential species for botanists and naturalists studying the floristic compositions of its native and naturalized regions. Its extensive distribution serves as a testament to its adaptability and the evolutionary success of the Rosaceae family.
Common Names
Deu: englisches fingerkraut, gestrecktes fingerkraut, niederliegendes fingerkraut
Eng: english cinquefoil, trailing tormentil, trailing cinquefoil, wood cinquefoil
Dan: fremliggende potentil, liggende potentil
Nld: kruipganzerik
Nob: kryptepperot
Nno: kryptepperot
Swe: lännenhanhikki, revig blodrot, revblodrot
Fin: lännenhanhikki
Lav: pazvilu retejs
Fra: potentille anglaise, potentille d’angleterre
Cym: dail y pumbus, pumbys ymlusgaidd, pumdalenymlusgaidd, pumnalen orweddol, tresgl rhedegog, tresgl ymlusgaidd, tresgl ymlusgol
En: English cinquefoil, Trailing tormentil, Trailing cinquefoil, Wood cinquefoil
Da: Fremliggende potentil, Liggende potentil
Nl: Kruipganzerik
Fi: Lännenhanhikki
Fr: Potentille anglaise, Potentille d’Angleterre, Renouée d’Angleterre
De: Englischer Tormentill, Englisches Fingerkraut, Gestrecktes Fingerkraut, Niederliegendes Fingerkraut
It: Cinquefoglia, Cinquefoglia inglese
Lv: Pazvilu retejs
Nb: Kryptepperot
Nn: Kryptepperot
Sv: Lännenhanhikki, Revig blodrot, Revblodrot
Cy: Dail y Pumbus, Pumbys Ymlusgaidd, PumdalenYmlusgaidd, Pumnalen Orweddol, Tresgl Rhedegog, Tresgl Ymlusgaidd, Tresgl Ymlusgol
Synonyms
- Potentilla nemoralis (Nestl.)
- Potentilla sylvestris (P.Renault)
- Tormentilla reptans humilis (Bertol.)
- Potentilla anglica subsp. nesogenes ((Briq.) Gamisans)
- Potentilla salisii (Boreau)
- Potentilla galiciana (Schult.)
- Potentilla procumbens var. salisii ((Boreau) P.Fourn.)
- Potentilla procumbens var. humilis ((Bertol.) Lehm.)
- Tormentilla erecta var. procumbens (Wahlenb.)
- Potentilla procumbens subsp. nesogenes (Briq.)
- Potentilla procumbens nemoralis (Gren.)
- Potentilla anglica var. humilis ((Lehm.) Gamisans)
- Dynamidium procumbens ((Sibth. ex Syme) Fourr.)
Distribution
- Altay (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chita (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Labrador (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Norway (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Mar 17, 2020 by Jean-Yves Defromont (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Ms Kerana (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Ms Kerana (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2020 by Yoanne LE MERCIRR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2020 by Ruth Salas (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 30, 2020 by Daniela (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Janos Kovacs (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 13, 2020 by Fons Jolij (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2020 by Eugene Perrett (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 20, 2020 by Spalato Dalmatino (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Sep 10, 2020 by Nelly Garnier (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 2, 2020 by Nelly Garnier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2021 by laurence lo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Apr 22, 2020 by Dominique Eteve (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)
Taken May 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5365283)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:727633-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potentilla anglica Laichard.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 7
Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 4