Common and silverweed cinquefoil flowers are yellow, one per stem and fairly conspicuous. Silvery cinquefoil flowers are also yellow and 0.5 inch across, but arise from short multiple stalks in leaf axils near branch ends. In contrast, rough cinquefoil flowers are small, inconspicuous, and found in clusters at tips of branches. Subsequent leaves are alternate with soft hairs and very long, hairy, grooved leafstalks. Stem is not apparent.
All species reproduce by seed.
Common, silvery, rough, and sulphur cinquefoil are found throughout Wisconsin. Silverweed cinquefoil is generally confined to wet, sandy areas. Common cinquefoil is native of North America. Rough and sulfur cinquefoil are natives of Europe. Rough and sulphur cinquefoil are found in fields, meadows, pastures, roadsides, and wastelands.