This is growing in my flower bed in North Central Idaho. I thought it was something that the previous owner had planted, since I kind of remember it being here when we moved in a year ago, but I just found it growing elsewhere on our property, in a place where someone wouldn't plant flowers. I'm thinking that it could be a weed, but I really have no idea what it is.

I see nothing that looks like a flower bud on the plant, but maybe it is too early for that. The plant is less than a foot tall, and the longest of the leaves is about 5 inches long and about an inch or less wide. Any suggestions would be great, and I appreciate the help!

It looks like Potentilla, there's a very long list of species in Idaho ..

http://luirig.altervista.org/f...

I'll have to find a day to go through that list. Hopefully someone will know which one it is, if it is that one.

That plant would have never come to mind! I've grown a couple of Potentilla's in the past, but they looked nothing like this!

Thanks for the help Janet.

You're welcome Natalie, it could be something else but it looks like Potentilla to me.

I have a similar Potentilla which sets around a little but not a lot, it makes yellow flowers and is taller than many. Mine came from a perennial mix, it looks like Potentilla recta. They vary a great deal, I also have Potentilla alba which is completely different!

Potentilla recta is on your list.

http://luirig.altervista.org/s...

Janet, I just did a search, and the leaves look identical to the plant I've got, so I'm confident that you found the right family!

I sure hope this thing blooms! Without seeing anything that looked like a bud, I wasn't sure it was going to have any flowers. I really thought it was something that the previous owner had planted, until I saw it growing elsewhere. There are so many plants here that I've never seem before, and most are just weeds. Any time I see something that is in the flower bed, and out in the field, I automatically think it is a horrible weed that needs to be removed! Hopefully this one will surprise me!

Hi, Janet! {{waving at you}}

I think you should get flowers this year Natalie, mine aren't in flower yet. I love them, they aren't a thug and provide some interest with leaves, the dainty flowers wave about on tall stems which are not too tall.

I've got a soft spot for flowering weeds, a weed is only a weed if it's not wanted, otherwise it's a wildflower but it is still a wildflower even if not wanted. Many of them are so much more charming than bold, garish hybrids. My garden is gaining more and more beautiful little gems every year, the insects have grown up on these for many millennia, they will thank you and you will thank them.

Hi Debra!

I thought the yellow starthistle was pretty too, until it grew spikes! We have acreage, which I would love to see covered in wildflowers, but not ones with spikes on them! We have dogs that get to run on much of the property, so I have to keep them in mind. I also don't want anything growing that is poisonous. So, I'm trying to weed out the bad stuff and replace it with good stuff, even if some of it is weeds. I've tossed at least a bazillion wildflower seeds, and can't get any of it to grow! So, we're trying to get rid of some of the grasses that are growing, and replace it with wildflowers. I've got nothing but time, which is a good thing!

My first thought was maybe Drymocallis glabrata (Syn. Potentilla)

http://science.halleyhosting.c...

Drymocallis glabrata

Thanks Lin, but the leaves aren't close at all on that one. I like it though!

@JRsbugs

Hi Janet, Good news! My plant bloomed, and it is Potentilla recta, without a doubt!

Thanks again for the help. I really like this plant!

My plants are in bloom too! I really like it too!