The extreme climate of our high altitudes and northern latitudes pose a real challenge to native plant species. The variation throughout the range has supplied gardeners with a wide array of adaptable garden plants too. It is the only shrubby species among the cinquefoils.
Young branches have a silky texture, but with age they turn brown and flaky.
Many small compound leaves with three to seven leaflets, clothe the branches. The common name, cinquefoil, of French derivation, refers to the five-parted leaves of many cinquefoils. The small leaflets, like the young twigs, are covered in silky hairs. These hairs cut down the wind speed at the leaf surface and insulate the leaves from cold drying winds. Bright yellow flowers appear form late spring well into summer depending on the local climate.