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© Alex Zorach

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Inclusion in Plant ID / Comparison Guides

This photo is featured in 2 plant ID/comparison guides:

collage of Dwarf Cinquefoil and  European Cinquefoil

Dwarf Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis) vs. European Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans)

Updated May 1st, 2025

These two species, one native and one introduced, are visually-similar and easily confused; both can grow in lawns, but they have little overlap in preferred soil conditions. They can be distinguished by leaves and flowers as well as several other subtle differences. The native P. canadensis has a more extensive range, and prefers dry, acidic soils, whereas P. reptans has only been introduced at scattered sites, but it can occur farther west, and can be invasive where it occurs. It ranges into moister conditions and prefers near-neutral pH.

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collage of Common Cinquefoil and  European Cinquefoil

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex) vs. European Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans)

Updated April 29th, 2025

These two species, one native and one introduced, are visually similar and can be easily confused. Both can occur in lawns. They are easily told apart by flower size, and have other subtle differences. The introduced P. reptans is only introduced in some regions, but can be abundant and invasive where it is; it ranges farther west and is more restricted to disturbed anthropogenic habitats with soils near neutral pH. The native P. simplex is common, ranges farther north, and prefers acidic soils and drier conditions.

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