''Potentilla neumanniana'', the spring cinquefoil or spotted cinquefoil, is a perennial flowering plant in the rose family (

Rosaceae Rosaceae (), the rose family, is a medium-sized family of flowering plants that includes 4,828 known species in 91 genera. The name is derived from the type genus ''Rosa''. Among the most species-rich genera are ''Alchemilla'' (270), ''Sorbus ...

). It may grow up to the height of 5–15 cm. It was first scientifically described by H.G.L. Reichenbach in 1832. P.F.A. Ascherson later called it ''P. tabernaemontani'', a name which is now invalid. The name ''P. verna'' was misapplied to this species; as originally described by Linnaeus, it actually refers to the

alpine cinquefoil ''Potentilla crantzii'', the alpine cinquefoil, is a flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is native to North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It ...

(''P. crantzii''). This is a fairly nondescript species of cinquefoil. Its typical five-fingered leaves and — in early spring — five-

petal Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...

led yellow flowers are borne on low-lying stems. As its common name implies, in most of its range it is one of the first cinquefoils to bloom. It can grow in dry, marginal habitat, such as roadsides, dry meadows, and talus. Thus it can be used for

rock garden A rock garden, also known as a rockery and formerly as a rockwork, is a garden, or more often a part of a garden, with a landscaping framework of rocks, stones, and gravel, with planting appropriate to this setting. Usually these are small A ...

s, providing bright bunches of yellow when few other plants are blooming.

References

External links

* * neumanniana Taxa named by Ludwig Reichenbach {{Rosaceae-stub