Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex) vs. European Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans)
Updated April 29th, 2025These 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.
