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Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
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ROSACEAE

ROSE FAMILY

Annual to tree
Leaves simple to pinnately to palmately compound, generally alternate; stipules free to fused, persistent to deciduous
Inflorescence: cyme, raceme, panicle, or flowers solitary
Flower generally bisexual, radial; hypanthium free or fused to ovary, saucer- to funnel-shaped, often with bractlets alternate with sepals; sepals generally 5; petals generally 5, free; stamens (0)5–many, pistils (0)1–many, simple or compound; ovary superior to inferior, styles 1–5
Fruit: achene, follicle, drupe, pome, or blackberry- to raspberry-like
Seeds generally 1–5
Genera in family: 110 genera, ± 3000 species: worldwide, especially temp. Many cultivated for ornamental and fruit, especially Cotoneaster , Fragaria , Malus , Prunus , Pyracantha, Rosa , and Rubus
Reference: [Robertson 1974 J Arnold Arbor 55:303–332,344–401,611–662]
Family description, key to genera by Barbara Ertter and Dieter H. Wilken.

POTENTILLA

CINQUEFOIL

Barbara Ertter

Annual to shrub; odor resinous or 0
Leaves generally basal, odd-1-pinnate to 1-palmate or 1-ternate; leaflets ± toothed or lobed, terminal generally ± = lateral
Inflorescence: cyme, generally ± open; pedicels generally ± straight
Flower: hypanthium ± shallow; bractlets 5; sepals generally 5, ± triangular; petals generally 5, generally = or > sepals, generally ± widely obcordate, generally yellow; stamens generally 20; pistils generally many, styles generally jointed near tip
Fruit: achene
Species in genus: 200–500 species: n temp
Etymology: (Latin: diminutive of powerful, for reputed medicinal value)
Reference: [Clausen, Keck, & Hiesey 1940 Carn Inst Wash Pub 520:26–195]
P. anglica Laicharding is a waif from cultivated: stem trailing; pedicels 2–8 cm, slender; sepals and petals generally 4; leaflets 3–5.

Native

P. pensylvanica L.

Plant tufted from simple or branched caudex, inconspicuously glandular
Stem ± ascending, 8–25 cm, short-spreading- and long-ascending-hairy
Leaves ± pinnate; basal generally 3–10 cm, leaflets 2–5 per side, 8–25 mm, ± oblanceolate, ± evenly 10-lobed ± 2/3 to midvein, densely hairy below, generally greener and less hairy above
Inflorescence ± 5–10-flowered
Flower: hypanthium 3.5–5.5 mm wide; petals ± 4 mm; filaments 0.5–1.5 mm, anthers ± 0.6 mm; styles ± 1 mm, tapered from rough-thickened base
Fruit ± 1 mm, ± smooth, pale brown
Chromosomes: 2n=28
Ecology: Alpine rocky barrens
Elevation: 2700–3800 m.
Bioregional distribution: c High Sierra Nevada, White and Inyo Mountains
Distribution outside California: N.America, Eurasia
Highly variable outside CA; w North America plants have been called var. strigosa Pursh.

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