Ternate-leaf cinquefoil (Potentilla norvegica, Sp. Pl.: 499 (1753))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 499 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Potentilla

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Subalpine Northern Hemisphere

Description

The Ternate-leaf cinquefoil, scientifically known as Potentilla norvegica, is a resilient and versatile plant found throughout the subarctic and subalpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Classified under the Rosaceae family, this species thrives in harsh climates where it adorns the landscape with its hardy presence.

First described in 1753 by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” Potentilla norvegica has garnered attention for its unique adaptive characteristics. The plant’s trifoliate leaf structure, from which its common name is derived, is particularly notable. Each leaflet can assume varying shapes, typically exhibiting a rich green hue which contrasts beautifully with the plant’s small, yellow flowers. These blossoms appear in clusters, providing a splash of color to the otherwise monochrome surroundings of its native habitats.

The Ternate-leaf cinquefoil is an incredibly hardy plant, often seen flourishing in regions where other flora might struggle. Its ability to withstand the extreme conditions of subarctic and subalpine climates speaks to its robust nature. The plant’s ecological role in these environments is crucial, as it can help stabilize soil and provide ground cover, preventing erosion and supporting the local biodiversity.

Moreover, Potentilla norvegica has been a subject of interest not only for botanists documenting the flora of harsh climates but also for ecologists studying plant resilience and adaptation. The species’ capacity to survive and thrive in less-than-ideal conditions makes it a valuable case study for understanding the intricacies of plant survival strategies.

In essence, the Ternate-leaf cinquefoil is a remarkable testament to nature’s adaptability, showcasing the resilience and beauty of botanical life in some of the Earth’s most challenging environments.

Common Names

Nld: noorse ganzerik
Dan: norsk potentil
Eng: norwegian cinquefoil, rough cinquefoil, ternate-leaf cinquefoil, ternate-leaved cinquefoil
Deu: norwegisches fingerkraut
Est: norra maran
Swe: norsk fingerört, peltohanhikki
Hun: norvég pimpó
Ces: nátržník norsky
Fin: peltohanhikki
Fra: potentille norvégienne, potentille de norvège
Nno: ugrasmure
Nob: ugrasmure
Lit: šiaurinė sidabražolė
Sme: bealdosuorbmarássi
Cym: pumnalen norwy, tribys tramor
En: Ternate-leaf cinquefoil, Rough cinquefoil, Norwegian cinquefoil, Ternate-leaved cinquefoil
Be: Дуброўка нарвежская
Bg: Норвежки очиболец
Cs: Mochna norská, Nátržník norsky
Da: Norsk potentil
Nl: Noorse ganzerik
Et: Norra maran
Fi: Peltohanhikki
Fr: Potentille norvégienne, Potentille de Norvège
De: Norwegisches Fingerkraut
Hu: Norvég pimpó
It: Cinquefoglia, Cinquefoglia di Norvegia
Lt: Šiaurinė sidabražolė
Se: Bealdosuorbmarássi
Nb: Ugrasmure
Nn: Ugrasmure
Ru: Лапчатка норвежская
Sk: Nátržník nórsky
Sv: Norsk fingerört, Peltohanhikki
Uk: Перстач норвезький
Cy: Pumnalen norwy, Tribys Tramor

Synonyms

• Potentilla trifoliata (Gilib.)
• Potentilla hirsuta (Michx.)
• Potentilla ruthenica (Willd.)
• Potentilla diffusa (Willd.)
• Potentilla gusuleacii (Hormuz.)
• Potentilla norvegica f. degenerata ((Lehm.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla norvegica var. degenerata (Lehm.)
• Potentilla norvegica var. diffusa ((Willd.) Kuntze)
• Potentilla norvegica var. conferta (Kuntze)
• Fragaria parviflora (Lam.)
• Potentilla labradorica (Lehm.)
• Tridophyllum monspeliense ((L.) Greene)
• Tridophyllum norvegicum ((L.) Greene)
• Pentaphyllum norvegicum ((L.) Gaertn.)
• Potentilla flexuosa (Raf.)
• Potentilla norvegica f. labradorica ((Lehm.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla norvegica var. hirsuta ((Michx.) Torr. & A.Gray)
• Potentilla norvegica f. parvula (Domin)
• Potentilla norvegica f. pinguis (Petunn.)
• Potentilla ruthenica var. diffusa (Nestl.)
• Potentilla norvegica var. labradorica ((Lehm.) Fernald)
• Potentilla grossa (Douglas ex Hook.)
• Potentilla fragariifolia (Hoppe ex Lehm.)
• Potentilla geminiflora (Schrank)
• Potentilla gusuleacii f. prostrata (Hormuz.)
• Potentilla norvegica var. monspeliensis ((L.) Th.Wolf)
• Potentilla monspeliensis (L.)
• Potentilla monspeliensis var. norvegica ((L.) Farw.)
• Fragaria norvegica ((L.) Crantz)
• Potentilla monspeliensis var. labradorica ((Lehm.) Fernald)
• Potentilla rivalis (Rothr.)
• Potentilla dichotoma (Moench)
• Potentilla morisonii (DC.)
• Potentilla norvegica subsp. monspeliensis ((L.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Potentilla norvegica subsp. hirsuta ((Michx.) Hyl.)
• Potentilla norvegica var. genuina (Th.Wolf)
• Fragaria monspeliensis ((L.) Crantz)
• Potentilla norvegica subsp. genuina ((Th.Wolf) Hyl.)
• Potentilla gusuleacii f. ternata (Hormuz.)
• Potentilla gusuleacii f. quinata (Hormuz.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 29, 2021 by mama-67 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Edith Bellehumeur (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Savannah Camp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2016 by Albert V. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by Richard Wideman (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Savannah Camp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Amy Weyers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by Richard Wideman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Erin Henry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Laurel Robinson (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 31, 2020 by justin klamut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2022 by SeppOlawi XII (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2021 by karen karen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Jamie Veganarchist (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Edith Bellehumeur (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2021 by Pekka Salokangas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by France Loiselle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Bénard Tremblay Milo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by France Loiselle (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 16, 2020 by Elisabeth Gallou (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 3, 2020 by Robert Robert Courteau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Vicki Brown (cc-by-sa)

© 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/5365305)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:728598-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potentilla norvegica L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 5