Names and Myths

Potentillia from the Latin potens = powerful, cure-alls. ¹

canadensis of Canada

cinque French for five leaved foil plant. Pliny recommended cinquefoils as an ointment for scrofula, which was the origin of the name

Natural history / Folklore

The leaf’s resemblance to the human hand was taken by believers in the doctrine of signature as a sign of the plants healing powers.⁹

Description

Yellow Five wedge shaped leaflets with teeth on the outer half of the leaf. Low growing spreads by runners.