Potentilla hyparctica : Arctic Cinquefoil

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Spermatophyta (seed bearing)
Angiospermae (enclosed seed)

Class: Dicoteldonae (two seed-leaves)

Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Genera: Potentilla (Cinquefoil) (Lat. potens=powerful; referring to the strengh of the medicine from some species)

Species: hyparctica

Synonym(s): P.emarginata

English Name(s):

Arctic Cinquefoil,

First Nation Names:

Structure:

• Densely tufted plants.
• Branches of caudex (base covered in by marcescent (withered) brown stipules (appendages).
• Stems erect-ascending, 5-25cm tall, more or les flexuous (curved).

Leaves:

• Basal and cauline (on stem), ternately divided.
• Leaflets obovate-cuneate in shape, toothed, green and somewhat villous (furry) above, paler and soft-pubescent (hairy) below.

Reproductive Parts:

• Inflorescence (flower cluster) of 1-3 flowers.
• Sepals 5, 4-7mm long, lanceolate in shape.
• Petals 5, pale yellow, slightly longer than sepals, prominently notched at the apex.

Seed:

• Fruit is a small, dry, seedlike, achene (nutlet).

Not to Be Confused With:

• Potentilla norvegica (Snowy Cinquefoil) whose sepals are longer than its petals.
• Potentilla nivea which is a more taller, erect plant.
• Potentilla uniflora (One-flower Cinquefoil) whose leaflets are more pointy toothed.
• Potentilla elegans (Elegant Cinquefoil) which has lobed leaflets.

Physiology:

Life Cycle:

• Perennial

Seasonal Cycle:

• Leaves deciduous (falling).

Animal Uses:

Habitat:

• Rocky slopes and tundra turf.

Modern:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

• In astrology Potentilla are said to be governed by Jupiter.
• In the Victorian Language of Flowers these plants symbolized "beloved daughter" or " I claim, at least, your esteem".
• Potentilla were said to flourish in the gardens of witches. One of few yellow flowers they cared for.

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food: