cinquefoil

cinquefoil
/singk"foyl'/, n.
1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Potentilla, of the rose family, having yellow, red, or white five-petaled flowers, as P. reptans (creeping cinquefoil), of the Old World, or P. argentea (silvery cinquefoil), of North America.
2. Also called quinquefoil, quintefoil. Archit. a panellike ornament consisting of five lobes, divided by cusps, radiating from a common center.
3. Heraldry. a charge in the form of a five-leaved clover.
[1375-1425; late ME sink foil < MF cincfoille < L quinque folia five leaves, trans. of Gk pentáphyllon]

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Any of the approximately 500 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants in the genus Potentilla (rose family).

The common name, meaning "five-leaved," refers to the number of leaflets in the compound leaf of most species. Most species are native to the northern temperate zone and the Arctic and are chiefly perennial. The stems are creeping or erect. The solitary, five-petaled flowers are usually yellow, sometimes white or red in horticultural varieties. P. fruticosa includes many dwarf shrubs used in landscaping (see landscape gardening).

Common cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

Arthur W. Ambler from The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers
EB Inc.

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plant
 (genus Potentilla), any of many flowering plants of the rose family (Rosaceae), comprising about 500 species of herbs and shrubs. The common name, which means “five-leaved,” refers to the number of leaflets in the compound leaf; some species, however, have three or seven leaflets. Most of the species are native to the North Temperate Zone and the Arctic and are chiefly perennial. The stems are creeping or erect. The leaves are digitate (the leaflets arising from a common centre) or pinnate (feather-formed). The solitary, five-petaled flowers are usually yellow, sometimes white or red in horticultural varieties. P. fruticosa has provided many dwarf shrubs used in landscaping.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cinquefoil — Cinque foil , n. [Cinque five + foil, F. feuille leaf. See {Foil}.] 1. (Bot.) The name of several different species of the genus {Potentilla}; also called {five finger}, because of the resemblance of its leaves to the fingers of the hand. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cinquefoil — [siŋk′foil΄] n. [ME cink foil < OFr cinquefoil < It cinquefoglie < L quinquefolium < quinque, FIVE + folium, leaf: see FOLIATE] 1. any of a genus (Potentilla) of plants of the rose family, with white, yellow, or red flowers and fruit… …   English World dictionary

  • cinquefoil — ► NOUN 1) a plant with compound leaves of five leaflets and five petalled yellow flowers. 2) Art an ornamental design of five lobes arranged in a circle. ORIGIN from Latin quinque five + folium leaf …   English terms dictionary

  • cinquefoil — /ˈsɪŋkfɔɪl/ (say singkfoyl) noun 1. any species of the herbaceous genus Potentilla, as P. recta, a widespread weed. 2. a decorative design or feature resembling the leaf of cinquefoil, as an architectural ornament or opening of a generally… …  

  • cinquefoil — penkiapirštė sidabražolė statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Erškėtinių šeimos vaistinis augalas (Potentilla reptans), paplitęs šiaurės Afrikoje, vakarų Azijoje ir Europoje. atitikmenys: lot. Potentilla reptans angl. cinquefoil; European five… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • cinquefoil — miškinė sidabražolė statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Erškėtinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, vaistinis augalas (Potentilla erecta), paplitęs vakarų Azijoje ir Europoje. atitikmenys: lot. Potentilla erecta angl. cinquefoil; tormentil šaltinis… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • cinquefoil — žvilgančioji sidabražolė statusas T sritis vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Potentilla nitida angl. cinquefoil vok. Dolomiten Fingerkraut rus. лапчатка блестящая lenk. pięciornik lśniący …   Dekoratyvinių augalų vardynas

  • cinquefoil — sidabražolė statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Erškėtinių (Rosaceae) šeimos augalų gentis (Potentilla). atitikmenys: lot. Potentilla angl. cinquefoil; potentil; tormentil vok. Fingerkraut; Tormentill rus. лапчатка lenk. pięciornik …   Dekoratyvinių augalų vardynas

  • Cinquefoil (disambiguation) — Cinquefoil means five leaved , from the French cinque feuilles ( five leaves ) and ultimately the Latin quinquefolium. It can refer to: Potentilla (typical cinquefoils), a plant genus in the rose family (Rosaceae) Several other Rosaceae genera… …   Wikipedia

  • Cinquefoil Skipper — Conservation status Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3 …   Wikipedia

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