Snow cinquefoil (Potentilla nivea, Sp. pl. 1:499. 1753, nom. cons.)

Family: Rosaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:499. 1753, nom. cons.

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Potentilla

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Subalpine

Description

Snow cinquefoil, known scientifically as Potentilla nivea, is a remarkable herbaceous plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. First described in 1753 by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus, this highly adaptive species thrives in harsh climates, primarily populating subarctic and subalpine regions where few plants can endure.

Distinguished by its resilience, snow cinquefoil exhibits a unique botanical arrangement that allows it to survive and flourish in extreme environmental conditions. Its adaptive features include a dense covering of fine hairs on its foliage, which serve to reduce water loss and protect against cold winds and intense sunlight. This morphological trait is crucial for its survival in the cold, dry habitats it often occupies.

The blooming period of Potentilla nivea is an impressive sight, with vibrant yellow flowers that create a striking contrast against the often stark, rocky terrain of its native habitats. These flowers are not only visually appealing but also attract various pollinators, playing an essential role in the local ecosystem’s pollination processes.

In addition to its beauty and adaptability, snow cinquefoil has garnered interest for its potential medicinal properties, much like many of its relatives in the Rosaceae family. Historically, various species within this family have been used in traditional medicine, and ongoing research continues to explore the possibilities for Potentilla nivea.

In summary, the snow cinquefoil is a plant that embodies both resilience and beauty, perfectly adapted to some of the most challenging environments on Earth. Its presence in subarctic and subalpine regions underscores the incredible diversity and adaptability of the natural world, offering both ecological benefits and a subject of intrigue for scientific study.

Common Names

Deu: schnee-fingerkraut
Nor: fjellmure, qviitmure
Swe: lappfingerört, vuoripahtahanhikki, fjällfingerört
Eng: snow cinquefoil, snowy cinquefoil
Nob: snømure
Nno: snømure
Fin: vuoripahtahanhikki
Fra: potentille des neiges, potentille blanc-de-neige
En: Snow cinquefoil, SNOWY CINQUEFOIL
Zh: Xue bai wei ling cai
Fi: Vuoripahtahanhikki
Fr: Potentille des neiges, Potentille blanc-de-neige, Potentille blanc de neige
De: Schnee-Fingerkraut, Schneeweißes Fingerkraut
It: Cinquefoglia nivea
No: Fjellmure, Qviitmure
Nb: Snømure
Nn: Snømure
Sv: Lappfingerört, Vuoripahtahanhikki, Fjällfingerört

Synonyms

• Potentilla michoacana (Rydb.)
• Potentilla nivea vulgaris (Ledeb.)
• Potentilla nivea var. polyphylla (Y.T.Chang & Z.T.Yin)
• Potentilla nivea var. yuparensis (Miyabe & Tatew.)
• Potentilla nivea var. petiolulata (Popov)
• Potentilla nivea var. floribunda (Lehm.)
• Potentilla concinna var. dissecta ((S.Watson) B.Boivin)
• Potentilla nivea var. concolor (S.Watson)
• Potentilla nivea var. quinquefolia (Rydb.)
• Potentilla macrantha (Ledeb.)
• Potentilla nivea var. macrantha ((Ledeb.) Ledeb.)
• Potentilla nivea var. dissecta (S.Watson)
• Potentilla nivea var. canotomentosa (Rupr.)
• Potentilla villosa var. unifoliolosa (Hultén)
• Potentilla nivea f. major ((Turcz.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla nivea f. multiflora (Lehm.)
• Potentilla nivea var. niveiformis (Jurtzev)
• Potentilla nivea var. insularis (Peschkova)
• Potentilla jezoensis (Soják)
• Potentilla matsuokana (Makino)
• Potentilla dryophylla (Pall. ex Ledeb.)
• Potentilla saximontana var. dissecta ((S.Watson) Soják)
• Potentilla quinquefolia ((Rydb.) Rydb.)
• Potentilla nivea var. pallidior (Sw.)
• Potentilla nivea var. vulgaris (Cham. & Schltdl.)
• Potentilla nivea f. unifoliolosa ((Hultén) B.Boivin)
• Potentilla nivea var. genuina (Regel & Tiling)
• Potentilla nivea var. tomentosa (Nilsson-Ehle ex Hultén)
• Potentilla nivea var. major (Turcz.)
• Potentilla uniflora subsp. arctica ((Cham. & Schltdl.) Hiitonen)
• Potentilla flabellifolia subsp. matsumurae (Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla fissuralis (Fed. & Al.Fed. ex Popov)
• Potentilla nivea var. alpina (Turcz.)
• Fragaria nivea ((L.) Crantz)
• Potentilla nivea var. incisa (Turcz.)
• Potentilla nivea subsp. fallax (A.E.Porsild)
• Potentilla nivea var. camtschatica (Cham. & Schltdl.)
• Potentilla nivea var. intermedia (Regel & Tiling)
• Potentilla nivea f. incisa ((Turcz.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla nivea subsp. chionodes (Hiitonen)
• Potentilla jamesoniana (Grev.)
• Potentilla nivea var. arctica (Cham. & Schltdl.)
• Potentilla nivea var. hirsuta (Durand)
• Potentilla nivea f. alpina ((Turcz.) Th.Wolf)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Québec (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Utah (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 3, 2022 by Phillip Neal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by Sohail Wagay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by David Dodge (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Leaf

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

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Other

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

Taken Jul 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5366510)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30011942-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potentilla nivea L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 3