Marsh Cinquefoil - Comarum palustre
Other Names:
Potentilla palustris
Native Species
Global Rank:
G5
State Rank:
S4
(see State Rank Reason below)
C-value:
7
Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS:
BLM:
External Links
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Fairly common in montane to subalpine wetlands and fens, primarily in northwest Montana
Rhizomatous perennial. Stems ascending, prostrate, or floating, reddish, glabrous to sparsely glandular, 20–50 cm. Leaves sheathing-petiolate, pinnately divided into 3 to 7 leaflets; leaflets oblong, sparsely hairy, glaucous beneath, dentate, 2–7 cm long. Inflorescence a leafy, few- to several-flowered, glandular-pubescent cyme. Flowers perfect, perigynous; hypanthium saucer-shaped; sepals ovate, purple, 7–15 mm long, alternate with narrower and shorter bracteoles; petals dark red, 3–7 mm long; stamens usually 20 or more; styles numerous. Fruit a cluster of ovoid achenes, each ca. 1.5 mm long enveloped by the calyx; styles deciduous at maturity, attached laterally (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).