potentilla

British  

/ ˌpəʊtənˈtɪlə /

noun

1. any rosaceous plant or shrub of the N temperate genus Potentilla, having five-petalled flowers See also cinquefoil silverweed tormentil

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Etymology

Origin of potentilla

C16: New Latin, from Medieval Latin: garden valerian, from Latin potēns powerful, _potent ¹

Example Sentences

Nov. 14, 2003: “What a treat to see late potentilla, pansies and even petunias in bloom. ... These have not been bad replacements for snow at the end of October.”

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2021

A few of the most common ground covers include ajuga, jasmine, juniper, ivy, pachysandra, wintercreeper, periwinkle, cotoneaster, potentilla, liriope and partridge berry.

From Time Magazine Archive

A week later, the claytonia or spring beauty, water-cress, violets, a low buttercup, vetch, corydalis, and potentilla appear.

From Wake-Robin by Burroughs, John

Ishmael sat upon the dry grass, where the tiny yellow stars of the creeping potentilla gleamed up at him through the soft dusk, and lay almost too idle for thought.

From Secret Bread by Jesse, F. Tennyson (Fryniwyd Tennyson)

On the borders of little streams larger plants flourish--lupines, daisies, asters, goldenrods, hairbell, mountain columbine, potentilla, astragalus and a few gentians; with charming heathworts--bryanthus, cassiope, kalmia, vaccinium in boulder-fringing rings or bank covers.

From The Yosemite by Muir, John