cinquefoil (sĭngk`foil) [O.Fr.,=five leaves], name for any plant of the widely distributed genus Potentilla of the family Rosaceae (rose rose, common name for some members of the Rosaceae, a large family of herbs, shrubs, and trees distributed over most of the earth, and for plants of the genus Rosa, the true roses.
..... Click the link for more information. family), chiefly herbs of north temperate and subarctic regions. Most cinquefoils are perennial; many but not all of them have leaves of five leaflets, for which they are also called five-finger. The flowers are most often yellow. Most North American species are native to cooler regions of the W United States. The shrubby cinquefoil (P. fruticosa) and the silverweed (P. anserina) are common wildflowers in the West and the Northeast; they are thought to be naturalized from the Old World. These and other species are sometimes cultivated in rock gardens. Silverweed is one of the species reputed to have medicinal powers, hence the Latin name of the genus [potens=powerful]. Cinquefoil is classified in the division Magnoliophyta Magnoliophyta (măg'nōlēŏf`ətə)
..... Click the link for more information. , class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Rosaceae.
Any of the approximately 500 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants in the genus Potentilla (rose family). The common name, meaning “five-leaved,” refers to the number of leaflets in the compound leaf of most species. Most species are native to the northern temperate zone and the Arctic and are chiefly perennial. The stems are creeping or erect. The solitary, five-petaled flowers are usually yellow, sometimes white or red in horticultural varieties. P. fruticosa includes many dwarf shrubs used in landscaping (see landscape gardening).
cinquefoil
..... Click the link for more information. family), chiefly herbs of north temperate and subarctic regions. Most cinquefoils are perennial; many but not all of them have leaves of five leaflets, for which they are also called five-finger. The flowers are most often yellow. Most North American species are native to cooler regions of the W United States. The shrubby cinquefoil (P. fruticosa) and the silverweed (P. anserina) are common wildflowers in the West and the Northeast; they are thought to be naturalized from the Old World. These and other species are sometimes cultivated in rock gardens. Silverweed is one of the species reputed to have medicinal powers, hence the Latin name of the genus [potens=powerful]. Cinquefoil is classified in the division Magnoliophyta Magnoliophyta (măg'nōlēŏf`ətə)
..... Click the link for more information. , class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Rosaceae.
cinquefoil
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Common cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)
(credit: Arthur W. Ambler from The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers—EB Inc.)
cinquefoil
1. any plant of the N temperate rosaceous genus Potentilla, typically having five-lobed compound leaves
2. an ornamental carving in the form of five arcs arranged in a circle and separated by cusps
cinquefoil
traditional representation of hope. [Flower Symbol-ism and Heraldry: Jobes, 341]
See : Hope
cinquefoil
indicates gladness. [Flower Symbolism and Heraldry: Jobes, 341]
See : Joy
cinquefoil
symbol of motherly love. [Flower Symbolism: Jobes, 341]
See : Love, Maternal
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