Varileaf Cinquefoil
Potentilla × diversifolia
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, United States
GBIF: Lester "Bucky" Squier
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Potentilla
- Species:
- Potentilla × diversifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- PODI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 45 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Northern grizzled skipper (Pyrgus centaureae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 4-8 weeks before sowing.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 90-150 days. Germination occurs at 18D/4N C alternating temperature cycle. Germination was greater in light than dark.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected in mid to late August when achenes turn brown. They are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning. The plant is found in subalpine and alpine zones from Alaska to Newfoundland south to California, New Mexico, Indiana, New Hampshire, and from the Yukon to New Mexico, and in the Pacific Northwest south to Utah and Nevada.
Source: npn.rngr.net