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Potentilla simplex - Michx.

Common Name Old Field Cinquefoil, Common cinquefoil
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Locally common in dry open woods, prairie hillsides, roadsides, old fields and waste places[228].
Range Eastern and Central N. America - Nova Scotia to North Carolina, Alabama, Minnesota and Missouri.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Potentilla simplex Old Field Cinquefoil, Common cinquefoil


Jennifer Anderson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Potentilla simplex Old Field Cinquefoil, Common cinquefoil
Ted Bodner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / James H. Miller and Karl V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses. University of Georgia Press., Athens.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Potentilla simplex is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseptic  Astringent  Dysentery

The plant is mildly astringent and antiseptic[207]. A decoction is used as a gargle for loose teeth and spongy gums[207, 257]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of dysentery[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a well-drained loam, preferring a position in full sun but tolerating shade[1]. Prefers an alkaline soil but tolerates a slightly acid soil[200]. Plants grown in rich soils produce more foliage at the expense of flowering[200]. Hardy to about -25°c[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Potentilla anserinaSilverweedPerennial0.3 4-8 FLMHSNM332
Potentilla bicolor Perennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Potentilla chinensisChinese CinquefoilPerennial0.6 -  LMHSNM11 
Potentilla cryptotaeniae Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Potentilla discolor Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM21 
Potentilla egedeiPacific SilverweedPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNM21 
Potentilla erectaTormentil, Erect cinquefoilPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHSNM131
Potentilla fragarioides Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM11 
Potentilla fruticosaShrubby Cinquefoil, PotentillaShrub1.2 2-6 MLMHSNM113
Potentilla glandulosaGland Cinquefoil, Sticky cinquefoil, Arizona cinquefoil, Ashland cinquefoil, Ewan's cinquefoil, HansPerennial0.6 6-9  LMHSNM11 
Potentilla hippianaWoolly CinquefoilPerennial0.6 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Potentilla kleiniana Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM11 
Potentilla multifida Perennial0.3 3-7  LMHSNM20 
Potentilla nepalensisNepal Cinquefoil, CinquefoilPerennial0.6 5-10 MLMHSNM21 
Potentilla norvegicaNorwegian CinquefoilAnnual/Perennial0.3 3-7  LMHSNM01 
Potentilla palustrisMarsh CinquefoilPerennial0.5 3-7  LMHSNWe111
Potentilla rectaRough-Fruited Cinquefoil, Erect cinquefoilPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNM210
Potentilla reptansCinquefoil, Creeping cinquefoilPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHNDM122
Potentilla rupestrisRock CinquefoilPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNDM10 
Potentilla supina Annual/Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Michx.

Botanical References

200228235

Links / References

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