Marsh Cinquefoil at Foxglove Covert

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Marsh Cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris) is a wetland plant with star shaped, purple-red flowers. They can grow up to 50cm tall and flower between May and July.

Marsh Cinquefoil at Foxglove Covert blog post image

The Marsh Cinquefoil at Foxglove Covert is currently flowering and can be seen on the edges of some wetland areas around the reserve. Marsh Cinquefoil five petals and five sepals which are the same deep magenta colour. The petals are much smaller to the sepals, so the sepals can be mistaken for petals. 

Marsh Cinquefoil at Foxglove Covert blog post image

Most Cinquefoil (Potentilla) species in the UK have yellow flowers, such as Silverweed (Potentilla anserina) and Tormentill (Potentilla erecta). The colour of the Marsh Cinquefoil therefore sets it apart from other species in the Potentilla genus.

Keep an eye out for Marsh Cinquefoil along the edges of ponds and in marshy, boggy wetlands.