Sulphur Cinquefoil

Sulphur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta)

Report

Sulphur-Cinquefoil-P.-Dawson-scaled-e1728689594354

Photo credit: P. Dawson

Management Category

Synonym

Rough-fruited cinquefoil

ID Characteristics

General: Sulphur cinquefoil is a perennial that is part of the rose family (Rosaceae) and is considered noxious in some regions of BC under the BC Weed Control Act and its associated Regulation.

Flowers: The flowers are pale yellow with 5 heart-shaped petals that are 10 mm long and have a bright yellow center.

Stems: Sulphur cinquefoil has one or many stems per plant. The stems are hairy, erect, and 30-80 cm tall. Older plants may lose hair on stems due to exposure.

Leaves: Sulphur cinquefoil leaves are palmately lobed with 5 to 7 leaflets that become shorter stalked closer to the shoot. The leaves are 3-6 cm long and hairy on both sides.

Seeds: Sulphur cinquefoil has tiny (1mm), dark brown, seeds with ridges.

Roots: It has a coarse, fibrous root system.

Similar Species

Native

Graceful-Cinquefoil-R.-Newman-e1728691424683

Photo credit: R. Newman

Graceful or slender cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis) is a perennial that is a member of the rose family and native to North America. It grows from a short, thick woody crown. It is shorter than sulphur cinquefoil, has white, woolly hairs on the underside of the leaves, and has bright yellow flowers surrounding a yellow center.

There are over 20 cinquefoil species in BC, most of which are native. Sulphur cinquefoil’s seeds are distinct due to their wrinkled appearance.

Habitat and Origin

Originally from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, Sulphur cinquefoil was introduced to North America during the 19th century.

Sulphur cinquefoil thrives in semi-arid areas but is tolerant of a wide variety of soil types and climates. It can be found growing in grasslands, dry open forests, and disturbed sites such as roadsides, pastures, rangelands, and waste spaces.

How it Spreads

Sulphur cinquefoil reproduces by seed and vegetatively. A single plant can produce over 16,000 seeds which can stay viable in the soil for several years. New plants can also grow from the main root, allowing the plant to live up to 20 years.

Sulphur cinquefoil spreads by seed and vegetatively. Sulphur cinquefoil seeds are spread by wildlife and humans. Seeds can be ingested by birds, wildlife, and livestock and then dispersed. Seeds can also spread in mud that gets stuck in tire treads and the undercarriages of vehicles or machinery.

Impacts

Ecological:

Decreases local plant biodiversity.
Decreases forage for wildlife.

Economic:

Decreases available forage for grazing animals due to unpleasant taste.

Prevent the Spread

Sulphur cinquefoil is found in certain portions of the Sea to Sky region (i.e., Whistler, Pemberton and north), but it has not yet infested all potential habitats. The goal is to:

prevent sulphur cinquefoil’s introduction in ISMA 1;
eradicate this species from ISMA 2; and
contain its spread in ISMA 3.

To stop the spread:

Regularly monitor properties for weed infestations.
Remove plant material from equipment, vehicles or clothing used in infested areas and wash equipment and vehicles at designated cleaning sites before leaving infested areas.
Ensure soil and gravel are uncontaminated before transport.
Minimize soil disturbances (e.g., use grazing plants that prevent soil exposure from overgrazing), and use seed mixes with dense, early colonization (e.g., alfalfa or barley) to re-vegetate exposed soil and resist invasion.
Ensure invasive plants (particularly flowering heads or root fragments) are bagged or covered to prevent spread during transport to designated disposal sites (e.g., landfill). Do NOT compost.

Control

Mechanical

Hand-pulling can be effective on small infestations, if done before seeds mature and while soil is moist. If seeds are mature, cut and bag seed heads before mechanical control. With larger infestations, plowing or harrowing and seeding with grass species is effective but must be done over several years to completely deplete the seed bank.

Chemical

Selective broadleaf herbicides are most effective when applied in early spring or summer. Picloram, 2,4-D or a combination of picloram/ 2,4-D and aminopyralid provide effective control; however, picloram is not suitable for wet, coastal soils. We recommend that any herbicide application is carried out by a person holding a valid BC Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Before selecting and applying herbicides, you must review and follow herbicide labels and application rates; municipal, regional, provincial and federal laws and regulations; species-specific treatment recommendations, and site-specific goals and objectives.