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Shrubby
Cinquefoil
Common
Name(s):
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Scientific
Name:
Dasiphora
floribunda (Pursh) Kartesz, comb. Nov. ined.
Scientific
Name Synonyms:
Potentilla fruticosa
Pursh
Symbol:
DAFL3
Description:
Life Span: Perennial
Origin:
Native
Season: Cool
Growth Characteristics:
Shrubby
cinquefoil is a deciduous, multi-stemmed and many branched shrub,
reaching heights of 1 to 6.5 feet. The growth form of shrubby cinquefoil
varies; it occurs as a low mat and as an erect shrub. Shrubby cinquefoil
has a shallow to moderately deep, spreading root system with thin
woody roots. Flowers from late May to late September, seeds mature
from late summer to early fall. Regenerates from wind-dispersed
seed and by sprouting from the root crown.
Flowers/Inflorescence:
Shrubby
cinquefoil flowers are terminal, occasionally with solitary flowers
but usually with many flowers in close clusters. The flowers are
yellow and rose-like, with 5 petals.
Fruits/Seeds:
Generally, shrubby cinquefoil produces approximately 50 seeds, in
the form of hairy achenes, per flower.
Leaves: Shrubby
cinquefoil has numerous alternate leaves with 3 to 9 leaflets that
have long white hairs on both surfaces. The lower surface of the
leaves has many stomata; the upper surface has none.
Stems: Shrubby
cinquefoil branches are pubescent in the first year, becoming brown
and glabrous in the second year. Bark becomes fibrous on branches
in the second and third years. Mature plants have both erect and
prostrate branches, the latter able to root adventitiously.
Ecological
Adaptations:
Shrubby
cinquefoil occupies a wide variety of sites and is distributed from
low valleys to mountain peaks, growing in riparian communities,
around springs, wetland sites, upland sites, rock ledges, and subalpine
and alpine sites, at elevations from 6,000 to 10,000 feet. Shrubby
cinquefoil often occurs as transitional vegetation from wetland
sites to drier upland sites and from foothills to mountains in the
western part of its range.
Shrubby cinquefoil has fair to weakly moderate drought tolerance.
It prefers open sites, but will grow under light shade. It is cold
tolerant and winter hardy.
Soils: Shrubby
cinquefoil is found on a wide range of soil classes, from clay,
fine loam, sandy loam, and loamy skeletal soils to coarse textured
soils. Grows well on most textural classes, except dense clay and
loose sand. Soils may be poor to well-drained. Shrubby cinquefoil
is tolerant of wet conditions and flooding, and calcareous substrates.
It is also tolerant of weakly saline and moderately acid to moderately
basic soils; it is often found on calcareous sites.
Associated Species:
Quaking
aspen, willows, birch, sedges, wild rose.
Uses and
Management:
Though
it has low forage value, shrubby cinquefoil's widespread distribution,
persistent leaves, and low spreading growth form make it an important
source of forage for ungulates. It is not preferred forage in Utah,
but is lightly browsed by mule deer, elk, mountain goats, and bighorn
sheep throughout its range. Winter use of shrubby cinquefoil by
deer and elk is also typically light. It is a low preference shrub
for bighorn sheep, though it receives moderate to heavy use when
new growth begins. Small birds and mammals consume shrubby cinquefoil
seeds.
Shrubby cinquefoil is tolerant to moderate defoliation by grazing
but is injured by repeated defoliation, especially when accompanied
by drought conditions, and may be killed by browsing or trampling.
Shrubby cinquefoil is useful for erosion control and soil stabilization,
and may be useful in wildlife habitat mitigation.
The leaves, roots, and stems of shrubby cinquefoil were commonly
used by Native Americans to make teas to treat internal bleeding,
congestion, and tuberculosis. Dried leaves were also made into a
mixture considered an arrow poison that was thought to go directly
to the heart. Dried, finely powdered leaves were believed to protect
the body from severe, temporary heat.
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