POTENTIL'LA SPLEN'DENS. 
SHINING CINQUEFOIL. 
Order. 
POLYGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
ROSACEiE. 
Native of 
Height 
Flowers in 
Duration 
Introduced 
Nepal. 
2 feet. 
July, Sept. 
Perennial . 
in 1822. 
No. 221. 
The name of this genus is said to have had its 
origin in the Latin word potentia, signifying power; 
but as it is the diminutive of that word, signifying 
little power, it must have been to the weakness of 
its medicinal qualities that the name was intended 
to have reference. Splendens, from the Latin, 
shining, in allusion to its silvery foliage. 
The splendour, or shining character, of this her- 
baceous plant, as intimated by its name, is principally 
connected with its foliage. This, it will readily be 
acknowledged, is peculiarly attractive; particularly 
its long pinnate root leaves, which have a fine silvery 
effect, especially on their under surface. The beauty 
of these rather increases than diminishes, when 
gradually dried between paper, with gentle pressure. 
It may be divided at the root for increase, which 
will be best performed in the spring ; this allows an 
oppbrtunity for the full establishment of the plant in 
its situation before winter, which is desirable, for it 
is occasionally destroyed by severe frosts when not 
well rooted, or when in a very moist situation. A 
light loamy soil, in a southern aspect, is very favour- 
able to its luxuriant growth. 
Don’s Syst. G. 2, 552. 
Class. 
ICOSANDRIA. 
56 
