varileaf cinquefoil, Potentilla diversifolia

Cinquefoil means five-leaved. Many species in the genus do have five leaflets, but some may have three, or seven, or more. A majority have five leaflets that radiate from the end of the petiole (palmate). Fewer line their leaflets up along the petiole (pinnate). Varileaf is close to having decided which it wants to be, but some times has the lower two leaflets a little separated from the others. Varileaf is among the many varieties of cinquefoil that grow in the western mountains, found in AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, and/or UT, depending on who you believe. In this case I'm the last to believe - see more in the blog. Summit Co CO, 6/17/13.