It's all about the leaves

Potentilla subjuga, June 8, 2022

Common & scientific names
Colorado cinquefoil, Potentilla subjuga

Family
Rose, Rosaceae

Location
Summit, 12,100’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known facts

Cinquefoils all have basically the same-looking flower (except P. arguta, which is white), so everything depends on their leaves and their location/elevation.

P. subjuga is common in the alpine in our area. It has palmate leaves often with two or a pair of two, smaller leaflets separated slightly on the stem from the “hand” above. The teeth of the leaves are deep, the surface of the “front” side of the leaves are green but with hairs, the back side white and very hairy.