Potentilla thuringiaca [German Cinquefoil]

[nfoto]

Rørslett, B. 2013. Potentilla thuringiaca Bernh. ex Link (Rosaceae). German Cinquefoil. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...man-cinquefoil/

 

Potentilla thuringiaca Bernh. ex Link

NO: Tysk mure

SE: Tysk fingerört

DK: Tysk Potentil

FI: Saksanhanhikki

DE: Armblütiges Fingerkraut

 

A medium small, to about 0.4 m tall, perennial species with a tufted growth form, native to Eastern Europe and Russia. It is naturalised in the Nordic countries and the sites are more numerous by the years. Although not strictly a weed, it tends to colonise unstable sites such as road verges, fallow fields, and other land impacted by human activity. Flowering usually is early to mid July and may last into August. The flowers are a deep yellow, 15 to 20 mm wide, and borne scattered on terminal racemes. Visiting pollinators are seen frequently.

 

Plants photographed on several occasions near Oslo, Norway (June to July 2006-2012).

 

Image reference: POTE_THY_B0606180827_VIS.jpg

Visible light: NIKON D2X, 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6 Micro-Nikkor lens, daylight.

 

Image reference: POTE_THY_I1207030864_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Panasonic DMC-GH2, Coastal Optics 60 mm f/4 APO lens, Baader U 2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash.

 

 

P. thuringica has the classical "bull's eye" UV pattern with large UV-dark basal spots. Further embellishment are UV-bright bracts, shiny nectaria, and traces of iridescence on the petals.

 

[Published .29 Apr 2013]