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Running Five-fingers
  • Other Common Names: Dwarf Cinquefoil
  • Scientific Name: Potentilla canadensis Linnaeus var. canadensis
  • Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family); Genus: Potentilla (Cinquefoil, Five-fingers, Potentilla)
  • Radford et al. (1968): Potentilla canadesis [infraspecific taxa not distinguished], Five-fingers p. 535
  • Range in the US: The Eastern US
  • SE Nativity: Yes
  • Habit: Short Perennial Forb; Evergreen
  • Sun: Shade-Part
  • Soil: Dry-Moist
  • Germination: Unknown. One month stratification may help
  • Parentage: Sparkleberry Springs, Oglethorpe County, GA

  • Comments: A very nice, though sometimes sparce, groundcover for shade. Gives pinestraw an added interest! Can be confused with the Rosaceae Indian-strawberry (Wild-strawberry) which has moved from Fragaria to Duchesnea to (would you believe!) Potentilla indica. A case where the common name has been unambiguous while the biologists get their act together. Running Five-fingers is not invasive. Lots of other differences as well, so pay attention when you are rouging what you think are strawberries.

    This species is very similar to another native, Potentilla simplex, Old-field Five-fingers, Common Cinquifoil. Only on hands and knees over flowering or fruited specimens can one tell the difference.

    Image by Wayne Hughes ©SparkleberrySprings.com

    USDA-POCAC2 Profile

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