Shrubby Cinquefoil

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• buckbrush
• bush cinquefoil
• golden hardhack
• shrubby cinquefoil
• widdy
• Alpine Cinquefoil
• Goldfinger Potentilla

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pentaphylloides fruticosa
• Tormentilla fruticosa
• Fragaria fruticosa
• Potentilla fruticosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Dasiphora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Its range also extends further north to include the territories of Norway and Sweden. Additionally, the species is present within Middle Europe, specifically documented in Austria. These locations highlight the plant's preference for various northern and central European habitats.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dasiphora fruticosa is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, typically found at elevations ranging from 1000 m to a maximum of 4000 m AMSL. This species occupies diverse ecological niches, demonstrating significant adaptability to various terrains and moisture levels. It is commonly established in meadows and shrubberies, but it also shows a strong affinity for riparian zones near rivers and can colonize more rugged, stony places.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows, rivers, shrubberies, stony places

Life history

The life history of Dasiphora fruticosa is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Its growth habit is categorized by dual life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, which reflects its structural ability to maintain woody stems. Furthermore, the species exhibits deciduousness, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dasiphora fruticosa is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. This plant exhibits a self-supporting structure and is not a climber or a liana, maintaining an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it is a medium-sized shrub with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, with an average height of approximately 1.125 m. It functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies, and is strictly a terrestrial species, not possessing aquatic or epiphytic characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.125 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dasiphora fruticosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which is typical for many temperate shrub species. The plant's leaf morphology is defined by an oblanceolate leaf form with entire margins, notably possessing spines while lacking thorns. From a resource acquisition and structural standpoint, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 165.95 cm²/g, a metric that reflects the relationship between its leaf area and its dry mass, influencing its efficiency in light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Leaf form :

oblanceolate

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

yes

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

165.95 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dasiphora fruticosa is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle involving bisexual flowers, ensuring that individual flowers possess both male and female reproductive organs. The flowering period typically commences in June and continues through August, though the specific timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly variable mass; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.000720889 g, with a recorded maximum of 0.00037 g and a minimum as low as 2.4e-05 g. These seeds are primarily spread via a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning they are transported by water, which plays a critical role in the distribution and colonization of new habitats for the species.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00037 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000720889 g

Seed mass min:

2.4e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dasiphora fruticosa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antioxidants, Tannin.

Antioxidants

1. Biomeditsinskaia khimiia

Tannin

1. Journal of applied microbiology

Preparations

Dasiphora fruticosa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of applied microbiology
2. Biomeditsinskaia khimiia