Shrubby Cinquefoil

Shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa), formerly Potentilla fruticosa, is a deciduous shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae). It is common in subalpine meadows and wetlands in Banff National Park; its yellow flowers bloom from June to September.

Identification: Low, bushy shrub (0.3–1.2 m); small, pinnately compound leaves with 5–7 leaflets; five-petaled yellow flowers (1–2.5 cm) throughout summer. Distinguished from herbaceous cinquefoils by woody stems.

Habitat: Subalpine and alpine; wet meadows, stream margins, and open slopes. Often with Labrador tea, blueberry, and sedges. Tolerates cold, wet, and nutrient-poor soils.

Viewing: Common at Sunshine Meadows, Bow Summit, Parker Ridge, and subalpine trails. Peak bloom mid-July to mid-August. Do not pick flowers; leave for pollinators and seed production.