Lucas Land

Rough-fruited Cinquefoil

or

Sulfur Cinquefoil

Potentilla Recta

 Classified as a noxious weed in 5 states, see USDA

GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS :
Sulfur cinquefoil is an introduced, perennial, long-lived forb with one to several stems growing from a woody caudex.  The erect, stout stems are 12 to 28 inches (30-70 cm) tall.  The leaves have five to seven coarsely serrate oblong leaflets.  The small seeds are slightly flattened and 0.05 inch (0.12 cm) long.  The taproot may exhibit some lateral growth, but there are no rhizomes.  Individual plants approximately 25 to 30 years old have been found in Michigan, and 20-year-old plants are not unusual.