Potentilla reptans L.
(C.J.W., D.R.G.)
creeping cinquefoil
Procumbent perennial herb arising from a slender, stoloniferous stock; stolons up to 50-(100) cm long; stems greenish brown, sparsely to moderately hairy, rooting at nodes. Lvs in persistent open rosettes, and cauline; petiole 20-60-(160) mm long, hairy; blade ± triangular to reniform, palmate; leaflets (3)-5, oblanceolate to obovate, ± sessile, (7)-15-35-(60) × 4-16 mm, sparsely to moderately clothed in long hairs especially below, dentate to serrate especially on upper part of leaflets; teeth in 3-11 pairs on terminal leaflet; upper cauline lvs smaller; stipules linear-lanceolate, acute, entire or with 1-2 teeth. Fls solitary in axils of lvs, 5-merous. Epicalyx segments narrow-elliptic to lanceolate, (4)-7-12 mm long, acute, entire. Sepals narrow-elliptic-ovate, slightly < epicalyx segments, glabrate to sparsely pilose, sometimes purplish, connate at base. Petals broadly obovate, 6-10-(12) mm long, pale yellow, undulate to shallowly emarginate. Styles filiform. Achenes not seen.
N.: N. Auckland (vicinity of Matakohe and Ruawai, Auckland City), S. Auckland (Port Waikato), Gisborne (Whangaparaoa and Waimana Valley); S.: Canterbury (early collections from Akaroa).
Europe, Mediterranean to W. and C. Asia 1878
Damp ground, waste places, coastal rocks.
FL Oct-May.
This sp. is closely related to P. anglica which has a somewhat more southerly distribution in N.Z. P. anglica is a generally more slender plant with at least some 4-merous fls, more cauline lvs with 3 leaflets and fewer carpels per fl.
