Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Rosales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Rosaceae
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Potentilla L., Sp. Pl. 495 (1753)
Synonymy:
  • = Duchesnea Smith
Vernacular Name(s):
Cinquefoil
 Description

Short-stemmed, perennial or rarely annual or biennial herbs or small shrubs, often mat-forming or sprawling and spreading, not armed. Lvs in basal rosettes or cauline or both, pinnate or palmate; leaflets usually dentate or crenate; stipules free in upper part, ± connate at base, persistent. Infl. a cyme or fls solitary, usually terminal. Fls small- to medium-sized, ☿, (4)–5-merous. Hypanthium ± flat or weakly concave, with a central, hemispheric dry or spongy receptacle (carpophore). Epicalyx segments lobed or entire. Calyx usually with triangular to lanceolate sepals. Petals ± obovate, usually white or yellow, rarely reddish, orange or purple. Stamens (10)–20-numerous. Ovary superior; carpels (4)–10–80; styles surrounded by hypanthium rim; ovules 1 per carpel. Fr. a head of 4-many achenes on surface of dry and spongy hypanthium; styles usually deciduous at fruiting.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Potentilla L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised5
Exotic: Casual3
Total8
 Bibliography
Bean, A.R. 2015: Notes on Potentilla (Rosaceae) and related genera in Australia. Muelleria 33: 75–83.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2002: Potentilla and Fragaria (Rosaceae) reunited. Telopea 9(4): 793–802.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Mabberley, D.J. 2017: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 4. Cambridge University Press.