Family: Rosaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Potentilla verna (spring cinquefoil) is a low-growing perennial flowering plant native to Europe. It forms compact mats of small, dark green leaves and produces cheerful yellow five-petaled flowers in spring and early summer. Because of its tidy growth habit, drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in rocky or poor soils, it is commonly used as a groundcover in rock gardens, borders, pathways, and alpine-style landscapes. Its attractive flowers can also provide a minor nectar source for pollinators.

Risks & Threats
Spring cinquefoil is considered a low risk species for Hawaiʻi. While it can spread slowly by seed or creeping stems in favorable climates, it has not shown aggressive invasive tendencies and is generally limited to disturbed or cultivated areas. It is not known to significantly impact native ecosystems or outcompete native vegetation. As with any introduced plant, responsible gardening practices—such as preventing unwanted spread into natural areas and monitoring garden escapes—are recommended to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique environments.

High Risk Traits:

• Congeneric weeds exist (other Potentilla spp. are weeds)
  
• Intentionally spread by people (grown as groundcover)
  
• Persistent seed bank
  
• Tolerates mowing and light traffic
  
• Unpalatable to deer (reduces herbivory)
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil types

Low Risk Traits:

• No naturalization, or weed status
  
• Unsuitable for tropical/subtropical climates
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Non-toxic (humans & animals)
  
• Fire resistant
  
• Low seed production
  
• Poor dispersal (gravity only; not wind, water, or animal)
  
• Controllable with herbicides