One is a true native and the other a naturalized alien.

Dwarf Cinquefoil – Potentilla canadensis

This native wildflower is a small plant that can easily be mistaken for a strawberry on a quick glance when not in bloom. You have to look a bit closer to see that the leaves are 5 parted instead of 3. The flowers are typically yellow but there is a cream colored form. They bloom in May – June – this one was photographed on June 5. In the next photo you can see how small the plant is. Note the Bluet to the left

The leaflets are more rounded than other types but the real difference is the ‘teeth’ on the leaflets only go about half way. The bottom part has a ‘clean’ edge.

The 5 (sometimes 7) deeply parted leaves lend these plants their common name. Their flowers are typically yellow with a couple of exceptions. Marsh Cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris) has deep purple-red flowers and Tall Cinquefoil (P. arguta) has cream-white blooms.

Rough Fruited Cinquefoil – Potentilla recta

This naturalized alien is probably seen more often than the natives. It has pale yellow flowers that are fairly large compared to other cinquefoils. The flower petals also have a deeper notch.

Leaves are deeply parted into 5 or 7 narrow leaflets. Rough Fruited Cinquefoil blooms in June – August. These photos were taken on July 1st.

Yesterday’s – YOU TELL ME went very well.
I got straightened out quickly and learned that I really did see a Ladybug. Thanks to all those who steered me away from that Dead End.

So today I’ll throw another bug at ya and see if someone can identify this one. I took the pic back on June 5 and the bug was perched on some Meadow Rue flower buds.

The image is linked to a larger size (1024 x 768) for a closer look or even to use as desktop wallpaper if you want to make your computer buggy.