Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: Robert on March 17, 2016, 04:28:59 AM

Title: Potentilla ?
Post by: Robert on March 17, 2016, 04:28:59 AM

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I was giving this "Potentilla" back in the 1970's. I was told that it was P. villosa which it is clearly not.

Anyway, it trails around a bit and the leaves will become grayish-green later in the season. Thrives in our hot, dry climate, with just a bit of irrigation during the summer. It grows well in full sun or with a bit of shade.

Any ideas?

Thank you in advance.

Title: Re: Potentilla ?
Post by: Philippe on March 17, 2016, 08:13:57 AM

That Potentilla could fit in the cuneata/ambigua/eriocarpa complex, which are more or less strong underground trailing POtentillas, and at least look like the one you show on your pic.

Title: Re: Potentilla ?
Post by: KenC on March 17, 2016, 12:53:30 PM

It looks similar to one I have called Cascade Cushion, a dwarf  selection of Potentilla Fruticosa collected in the Cascades and offered by Rick Lupp of Mt. Tahoma Nursery.

Title: Re: Potentilla ?
Post by: Robert on March 18, 2016, 03:59:21 AM

Thank you everyone for the ideas.

Unfortunately nothing seems to match so far. This species roots as the stems slowly creep along the ground. There are no rhizomes.

It is not woody, nor deciduous so not a 'fruticosa".

I have another lead so I will see where this takes things. I definitely appreciate the feed-back. Thank you so much!  :)

Title: Re: Potentilla ?
Post by: Maggi Young on March 18, 2016, 10:35:51 AM

No idea from me as to the ID - but it does have very attractive, neat foliage, doesn't it?

Title: Re: Potentilla ?
Post by: Lori S. on March 18, 2016, 03:11:16 PM

The leaves, more obviously, are also wrong for Potentilla fruticosa.  It does look like Philippe's suggestions.  The North American, alpine, 3-leaved ones are a confusing lot.  A lot of the ID depends on the description of hairiness of the leaves and stems.  It may be that the creeping habit would exclude most of them, or at least the ones in this area.

Title: Re: Potentilla ?
Post by: Robert on March 19, 2016, 04:37:46 AM

Thank you Lori.

The plant was given to me by Pauline Croxton way back. She is on the other side now, so I can not question her more about where she obtained her plant. Its origin would certainly be helpful. As far as I know it could be from anywhere on the planet. It is a very attractive and well behaved plant. Looks good even without flowers. The gray-green foliage is very nice.

I would like to know its name, so I will keep trying. If I find a name for it that seems reasonable I will post it here.

Thank you again.