Rough cinquefoil, scientifically known as Potentilla norvegica, is a common herbaceous species in the rose family (Rosaceae). Widely distributed across many landscapes, it is often considered a weed in cultivated areas. Understanding its characteristics and growth habits can help in its recognition and management.
Identifying Rough Cinquefoil
Rough cinquefoil typically begins as a basal rosette before developing upright flowering stalks. Leaves are compound, usually with three leaflets, sometimes five. Leaflets are oval to obovate, coarsely serrated or toothed, and slightly hairy. Basal leaves have long, hairy petioles; stem leaves are smaller with shorter stalks.
Stems are erect, branched in upper parts, reaching 1 to 3 feet. They are hairy, often with stiff, spreading hairs, and can display reddish-green or dull purplish-red as they mature.
It produces small, yellow flowers (1/3 to 1/2 inch across) with five rounded petals. Petals are often shorter than the five green, pointed sepals, which may have reddish tips. Flowers appear in clusters at branch ends, blooming from June through September.
Where Rough Cinquefoil Grows
Rough cinquefoil is widely distributed across temperate regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia. It is native to parts of North America, with both native and introduced Eurasian populations present. It thrives in various environments, commonly found in disturbed areas like fields, pastures, roadsides, and vacant lots.
It is found in gardens, lawns, and yard edges. It also grows in natural settings like moist meadows, stream banks, and lake shores. It tolerates a range of soil conditions, preferring well-draining loam but also growing in dry, sandy, or gravelly soils. It flourishes even in poor or compacted ground.
Managing Rough Cinquefoil
Managing rough cinquefoil involves a combination of methods, especially since it reproduces readily by seeds. For small infestations, manual removal is effective. Hand pulling or hoeing plants before they produce seeds prevents spread. Remove the entire plant, including the shallow branching taproot, to prevent regrowth.
Cultural practices can suppress rough cinquefoil by creating less favorable conditions. Improving soil health encourages desirable plants to outcompete it. Mulch can suppress new seed germination and reduce existing plant vigor. Maintaining a dense, healthy lawn or garden limits opportunities for rough cinquefoil to establish.
If chemical options are considered, broadleaf herbicides can be used as a targeted treatment, but carefully to avoid harming desired vegetation. Focusing on prevention, especially by controlling seed production, is a practical strategy for long-term management.