Snow Cinquefoil
Potentilla nivea
Also known as: Arctic Cinquefoil
- Native to:
- Austria, Canada, China, Finland, France, Greenland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Labrador, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States
Hedwig Storch
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Potentilla
- Species:
- Potentilla nivea
- USDA Symbol:
- PONI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 25 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- gravelly, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in alpine and arctic regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination rates. Seeds may germinate erratically.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: 6 month outdoor cold, moist stratification
Establishment: Seeds are collected when achenes turn brown in late August. Seeds are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning. P. nivea is a circumpolar arctic-alpine species that occurs from Alaska to Quebec, south in Rocky Mountains to Colorado and eastern Utah and Nevada; also in Eurasia.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C.