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. glandulosa Lindl.

Plant generally ± tufted from loosely branched caudex; glandular hairs often many
Stem ± erect, 5–90 cm, spreading-hairy
Leaves pinnate; basal 3–30 cm, terminal leaflet largest (0.5–12 cm), lateral generally 3–5 per side, ± obovate, toothed 1/4–1/2 to midvein, ± hairy
Inflorescence generally 2–30-flowered
Flower: hypanthium 3–6 mm wide; petals 3–10 mm, generally widely ovate, yellow to white; stamens ± 25, filaments 1–3.5 mm (longest opposite sepals), anthers 0.6–1.2 mm; styles ± 1–2.5 mm, attached below middle of fruit, ± fusiform and rough
Fruit ± 1 mm, smooth or ± ridged, golden to reddish brown
Chromosomes: n=7
Ecology: Common. Many habitats
Elevation: < 3800 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province (except Great Central Valley), Great Basin Floristic Province
Distribution outside California: w N.America
Often confused with Horkelia ; despite much work, subspp. remain poorly defined.

Native

subsp. reflexa (Greene) D.D. Keck

Stem generally 20–80 cm, glandular-hairy
Leaves: basal generally 7–15 cm, sheathing base glabrous to glandular, terminal leaflet generally 15–40 mm, lateral leaflet teeth > 10, generally double
Inflorescence: branch angle generally 20–40°
Flower: bractlets ± 1 mm wide; petals 3–5 mm, < sepals, ± widely oblong (generally wider near tip), yellow; styles ± 1 mm
Ecology: Moist or ± shaded places; generally
Elevation: 500–2600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, High Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Warner Mountains
Distribution outside California: Oregon, Nevada
Horticultural information: TRY.