Strawberryleaf cinquefoil (Potentilla sterilis, Fl. Halle 2: 200 (1856))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: (L.) Garcke

Bibliography: Fl. Halle 2: 200 (1856)

Year: 1856

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Potentilla

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Canada, Europe

Description

Strawberryleaf cinquefoil, scientifically known as Potentilla sterilis, is a notable member of the Rosaceae family. Recognized for its delicate charm, this plant is often found gracing the landscapes of Eastern Canada and Europe, where it thrives in its native habitat.

First described in the mid-19th century in the seminal work “Flora of Halle,” the strawberryleaf cinquefoil owes its detailed botanical classification to the distinguished scientist Garcke, having been initially recorded by Linnaeus.

This herbaceous perennial resembles its strawberry relatives with its trifoliate leaves, which bear a striking similarity to those of the true strawberry, hence its common name. However, unlike true strawberries, Potentilla sterilis does not produce edible fruit—a characteristic that helps in distinguishing between the two.

Typically blooming from early spring to late summer, the strawberryleaf cinquefoil displays modest, yet charming, white flowers with yellow centers that attract various pollinators. The blooms have five delicate petals, a signature feature of many species within the Rosaceae family.

Strawberryleaf cinquefoil is often appreciated for its hardiness and ability to adapt to various soil types, making it a resilient addition to gardens and natural green spaces. Though not as widely known as some of its more famous relatives in the Rose family, Potentilla sterilis offers intrinsic ecological value and understated beauty to the regions it inhabits.

Common Names

Deu: erdbeer-fingerkraut, erdbeerfingerkraut
Dan: jordbær-potentil
Eng: strawberryleaf cinquefoil, barren strawberry, strawberry-leaved cinquefoil, barren-strawberry
Nld: aardbeiganzerik
Nno: jordbærmure
Nob: jordbærmure
Pol: pieciornik plonny
Fra: potentille stérile, potentille faux fraisier
Swe: smultronfingerört
Cym: coegfefusen, llwyn coeg-fefus, llwyni coeg-fefus, mefus anffrwythlon, syfïen goeg
En: Strawberryleaf cinquefoil, Barren Strawberry, Strawberry-leaved cinquefoil, Barren-strawberry
Ca: Fragassa de bosc
Kw: Sevi goog
Cs: Mochna jahodovitá
Da: Jordbær-potentil
Nl: Aardbeiganzerik
Fi: Mantuhanhikki
Fr: “Potentille faux fraisier, Potentille stérile”, Potentille stérile, Potentille faux fraisier, Fraiserat, Fraisier stérile
De: Erdbeer-Fingerkraut, Erdbeerfingerkraut
It: Cinquefoglia falsa fragola
Nb: Jordbærmure
Nn: Jordbærmure
Pl: Pięciornik płonny, Pieciornik plonny
Sk: Nátržník jahodovitý
Es: Fresa esteril
Sv: Smultronfingerört
Cy: Llwyn Coeg-fefus, Coegfefusen, Llwyni Coeg-Fefus, Mefus Anffrwythlon, Syfïen Goeg

Synonyms

• Potentilla fragaria (Poir.)
• Potentilla gunneri (Hartm.)
• Dactylophyllum fragariastrum (Ehrh. ex Spenn.)
• Fragariastrum sterile ((L.) Schur)
• Potentilla fragariastrum (Ehrh. ex Pers.)
• Potentilla fragaria crassa (F.W.Schultz)
• Potentilla sterilis f. eflagellis ((Beckh.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla sterilis var. fragariastrum (Ehrh. ex Fiori)
• Potentilla sterilis var. permixta (Gremli)
• Potentilla sicca (Gilib. ex Samp.)
• Potentilla sterilis crassa ((F.W.Schultz) Poeverl.)
• Fragaria sterilis (L.)
• Fragaria sicca (Gilib.)
• Potentilla fragaria var. emarginata (Ser.)
• Potentilla fragariastrum var. eflagellis (Beckh.)
• Potentilla fragariastrum breviscapa (Bogenh.)
• Potentilla fragariastrum var. reticulata (F.W.Schultz)
• Comarum fragarioides (Roth)
• Potentilla micrantha f. maritima (Guinea)
• Potentilla fragaria var. breviscapa (Roth)
• Fraga sterilis ((L.) Lapeyr.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 17, 2022 by 🐞Hélène🐦 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Santiago (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 6, 2021 by Jean-François Baudin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Santiago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2021 by Mathieu VALENTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2022 by 🐞Hélène🐦 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2022 by 🐞Hélène🐦 (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 30, 2020 by Jenny Bachino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2022 by Samuele Casertano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by marie paule valencelle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2022 by Astrid Hensel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 30, 2021 by Estelle Harris (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2020 by Paul Cnt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2022 by Noel Benson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

Other

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

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

Taken Apr 15, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Laurent PETIT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 1887 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5366922)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60455705-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potentilla sterilis (L.) Garcke)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’]

Soil nutriments: 5