Comarum palustre L.
Marsh Cinquefoil
Marsh cinquefoil is a native, rhizomatous waterside perennial in the rose family, with a slightly woody base and lax, reddish stems that scramble up to around 40-50cm. Its grey-green leaves are divided into five to seven toothed leaflets, giving it the 'cinquefoil' name.
About
Marsh cinquefoil is a native, rhizomatous waterside perennial in the rose family, with a slightly woody base and lax, reddish stems that scramble up to around 40-50cm. Its grey-green leaves are divided into five to seven toothed leaflets, giving it the 'cinquefoil' name. The real show comes from the unusual star-shaped flowers: large, pointed, deep wine-red sepals frame narrower maroon petals, creating a distinctive ruby bloom unlike anything else in our wetland flora.
It grows in consistently wet, often peaty and acidic ground, including bogs, fens, marshy lake and pond margins, wet flushes and the edges of upland pools, where it sometimes forms floating rafts. In Britain it is most frequent in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and northern England. Flowering from June to August, it is a valuable nectar source for bees and other insects. A fine choice for bog gardens, pond edges and wet meadow restoration where the soil never dries out.
Also known as
Purple Marshlocks · marsh five-fingers · purple cinquefoil · purple marsh cinquefoil
Synonyms
Argentina rubra · Comarium palustre · Comarum angustifolium · Comarum angustifolium parvifolium · Comarum arcticum · Comarum digitatum · Comarum palustre albidum · Comarum palustre ambifarium · Comarum palustre angustifolium · Comarum palustre arcticum · Comarum palustre subsericeum · Comarum palustre villosum
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.