Potentilla argentea [Hoary Cinquefoil]

[nfoto]

Rørslett, B. 2012. Potentilla argentea L. (Rosaceae). Hoary Cinquefoil. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...ary-cinquefoil/

 

Potentilla argentea L. (s.lat.)

NO: Sølvmure

SE: Femfingerört

DK: Sølv-Potentil

FI: Hopeahanhikki

DE: Silber-Fingerkraut

EN: Hoary Cinquefoil

 

This medium-sized cinquefoil species belongs to an intricate complex of apomictic microspecies, sometimes treated at species rank, more often lumped together into a variable collective species. The complex as a whole is broadly European-Russian with a circumpolar distribution, however, North American occurrences are introduced.

 

It prefers dry ground, oftern sandy or rocky, and thrives well on quite nutrient-poor habitats. Flowering is late June or July (Norway) and the quite small flowers, borne in loose cymes, are frequently visited by pollinators such as hover flies, bees, and bumblebees.

 

Visible light: Nikon D300, Medical-Nikkor 120 mm f/4 lens, built-in ring flash.

 

Ultraviolet light: Nikon D40X, UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Baader U 2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash.

 

In common with a number of other Potentilla species, P. argentea features very large and prominent UV marks on the basal area of its petals. The bracts are partly UV-dark, partly UV-bright, to give a characteristic signature under UV. Pollen fluoresces brightly white as well (not shown here).

 

[Last updated 26 Dec 2012]