Edge/ Dwarf Cinquefoil

COMMON NAME: Dwarf Cinquefoil

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Canadian Cinquefoil, Five Fingers

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Potentilla canadensis

FAMILY: Rosaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: Prostate (2 to 10 inches)

FLOWERING TIME: Late April to late May

FRUITING TIME: June to July

DISTRIBUTION: Nova Scotia to Georgia and Tennessee ~ Statewide in NJ, but rare in Pine Barrens

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves are basal and divided stawberrylike into five toothed leaflets ~ Flowers with 5 yellow petals ~ Short rhizomes ~ Stems slender ~ Leaves oval, toothed ~ Potentilla canadensis and Potentilla simples are similar and frequently not identified correctly

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Rosaceae) commonly called the Rose Family consists of 107 genera and 3,100 species of herbs, shrubs and trees.  The family is of great economic importance, providing fruits (apples, cherries, plums, peaches, raspberries and strawberries) and ornamentals (roses). The name “Cinquefoil” is French, cinque for five and foil for leaf--the five-leafed plant.  An earlier Latin name was quinquefolium.  Five-fingered grass was an early English nickname. Native Americans used crushed Dwarf Cinquefoil root infusion (medicine prepared by steeping plant part without boiling) to treat diarrhea.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.