Marsh Cinquefoil

Name: Marsh Cinquefoil

Scientific name: Potentilla palustris

Category: Flowers

Nature Stars: 40

What are nature stars?

About: This plant likes wet, boggy places and peaty meadows. When it is in flower between May and July it is a good source of food for nectar loving insects.

How to identify: Look for the star shaped flowers of deep red and the pinkish tinge to its green parts. Leaves are toothed and jagged.

Where: Widespead in the north and west of Britain, less so in the south and East Anglia

Fantastic fact: One special type of weevil (scientific name Phytobius comari) lives on nothing but this plant.

Photograph credit: Eco Heathen