| Potentilla reptans | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Potentilla |
| Species: | P. reptans |
| Binomial name | |
| Potentilla reptans | |
Potentilla reptans, known as the creeping cinquefoil, [1] European cinquefoil or creeping tormentil, is a flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. [2]
A creeping perennial plant which can reach heights of up to 20 cm. [3] Its trailing stems can root at the nodes, [3] which allows the species to reproduce via vegative reproduction. [4] Leaves are hairless, hosted on long stalks and are divided into 5 to 7 leaflets. [3] The plant blooms between June and September with flowers that are about 7 mm to 11 mm in diameter with heart-shaped yellow petals. [3]
Potentilla reptans has a large native distribution across the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa. In Europe it can be found in the countries of: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corsica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine. [5] In Asia it can be found in: Afghanistan, China, Cyprus, Mongolia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Israel, Palestine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. [5] In Africa it can be found in the countries of: Algeria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. [5]
Potentilla reptans has been introduced outside it's native range into various countries across the globe. [6] The species has been widely distributed across North America, where it can be found in the states and territories of: Bermuda, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. [5] It has also been introduced in Canada in the provinces of Ontario, Québec and Nova Scotia. [5] In Oceania the species was also introduced into the countries of Australia and New Zealand. [5]
Potentilla reptans grows in neutral soils, where it utilizes both natural and manmade habitats such as grasslands, hedgerows, roadsides and arable land. [7] The species can also grow in grass lawns and flowerbeds as an unwanted weed. [8] The grizzled skipper butterfly ( Pyrgus malvae ) utilizes Potentilla reptans as a foodplant for its caterpillars. [9]
Alcoholic extracts from roots of Potentilla reptans showed a moderate antimicrobial activity against common wound pathogens. [10]
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