Tormentil

An uncommon perennial weed of longer amenity surfaces and lawns, and neglected surfaces. It has three leaflets, deeply lobed, with two smaller leaflets at the base of each leaf stem which are actually stipules, making it appear that it has five leaflets. Its scientific name is Potentilla erecta. It prefers free draining to damp soil, although these will mostly be acidic. The main flowering period is June to September, having yellow coloured flowers, having a median diameter of about 12mm, but being quite variable in size. It adapts to a range of soil conditions, from dry to wet, preferring sandier soils, on mostly acidic turf, not calcareous, and will grow in light shade conditions. It is more properly referred to as Common Tormentil.