Comarum palustre

Comarum palustre (syn. Potentilla palustris), known by the common names purple marshlocks, swamp cinquefoil and marsh cinquefoil,[1] is a common waterside shrub. It has a circumboreal distribution, occurring throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, particularly the northern regions. It is most commonly found on lake shores, marshy riversides and stream margins, often partly submerged with foliage floating. It is a parent of some Fragaria–Comarum hybrids, ornamental plants produced by crossing with strawberries.

Comarum palustre
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Comarum
Species:
C. palustre
Binomial name
Comarum palustre
Synonyms
  • Potentilla palustris (L.) Scop.

Description

Its branches spread into leaves with three to seven narrow leaflets which are sharply jagged. The stem is a reddish-brown, low sprawling, vine-like structure. Flowers extend from the branch which vary from red to purple, and are about one inch in diameter, blooming in summer. The stems roots at the base then rises to about 30 cm (12 in).[2]

Cultivation

Swamp cinquefoil prefers peat soils but can also grow in moist sandy areas. It flourishes in USDA Zone 3 (minimum −40 °F or −40 °C). It grows to about 12–18 in (30–46 cm) wide by 12–18 in (30–46 cm) high when cultivated properly.

  • Flower with honey bee
    Flower with honey bee
  • Dried seed heads with seeds
    Dried seed heads with seeds

References
  1. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press.ISBN 978-185918-4783
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