TALL WHITE CINQUEFOIL 



Potentilla arguta Pursh 



ROSE FAMILY 



The Cinquefoils are ubiquitous in Western Canada. On Iho 

 rocky summits of mountains grow low, tufted forms, starred with 

 short-stemmed blossoms. In moist and fertile meadows in the 

 deep valleys the}' flourish in variet}', reaching a height of Hirer 

 feet or more. On the dry plains, by clothing themselves in dense 

 hair or wool, they endure successfully scorching sun and wind. 

 In swamps and peat bogs the marsh cinquefoil with its curious 

 dark red flowers is a common sight. Along brooks and fences, 

 among piles of rubbish, and in cultivated ground one will every- 

 where find cinquefoils. Some two score species are scattered 

 over Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The great majority 

 have yellow flowers and all have compound leaves. The leaflets 

 vary in number from three to thirteen, but as five is common, 

 the name, cinquefoil, has been applied to all. 



The Tall White Cinquefoil impresses one as being a rather 

 handsome plant of gentlemanly attitude. Its strawberry-like 

 blossoms are commonplace enough, its general aspect is not very 

 different from some of its weedy kinsfolk, yet it has an air of 

 distinction. Trying to analyse the cause we notice that the stems 

 are tall, erect, and moderately slender, that the leaves are well- 

 shaped, neatly veined, and evenly covered with somewhat glandu- 

 lar hairs, that the flower clusters are compact and the blossoms 

 close : set, and that there is a certain dignified reserve about the 

 whole plant. It does not take advantage of superior height to 

 thrust its elbows into the faces of its neighbors, and it sends out 

 no runners to seize adjoining land. Yet the Tall While rinqm't'oil 

 ireK on very welli n the world, and may frequently be met with 

 in dry meadows and thiekeis throughout the whole breadth of 

 our territory. 



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