Ontario Wildflowers website

Three-toothed Cinquefoil
Sibbaldia tridentata
(formerly Potentilla tridentata)

Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata) Other common names: Shrubby Fivefingers, Three-leaved Cinquefoil

Other scientific names: Potentilla tridentata, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata

French names: Potentille tridentée

Family: Rose Family (Rosaceae)

Group: Cinquefoils

Distinctive features: Sub-Shrub; Low, small shurb. Leaves have three teeth at the ends.

Similar species:
  •   Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

  •   Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa)


Flowers: Spring, Summer;  White;  5 parts (petals)

Leaves: Evergreen

Height: 10-25 cm (4-10 in);  Very low shrub.

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas;  This is a northern species. Rocky & sandy areas.

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 230    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 28    Shrubs of Ontario: 199   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common in northern Ontario, rare in the south.

For more information visit: Ontario Trees and Shrubs

Photographs: 105 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata)

A small shrub, creeping or trailing. Note the three teeth at the end of the leaves.

Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata)

It grows in rocky crevices. These particular photos were taken along the James Bay Road in Quebec, at the Broadback River.

For more information about this part of Quebec, please visit the James Bay Road website.

Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata)

The white flower.

Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata)

Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata)

A flower amongst the distinctive leaves.


Range map for Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)