Potentilla villosa: A fuzzy crop with the potential to beautify cold climates.

Killian Harnish, Plant Breeding, Dept. of Horticultural Science

May 13, 2019

Executive Summary Potentilla villosa is a fuzzy, flowering herbaceous perennial that is native to Alaska as well as the Pacific Northwest. It’s soft, white-haired leaves and bright yellow flowers make it pop on a cold landscape like the rocky coasts of the Aleutian Islands. Being a new crop to the industry, P. villosa has the ability to change the market and make its own stamp on gardens everywhere. The crop has a lot of utility being: drought tolerant, winter hardy, medicinal properties, and pollinator attraction. It can grow in full sun to part shade and can grow in many different soil conditions from normal garden soil to rocky and porous soil. It spreads via rhizomes and can fill an open area very well. This crop has the ability to be a potted plant, cut-flower crop, and an ornamental crop for garden beds. For wholesale it takes approximately 14 weeks to start from seed to a wholesale crop and it has 14 weeks from planting the crop to the first frost for flower production in a garden or field for cut-flowers. It is an easy plant to care for and can bring a nice texture to a garden or landscape as well as a pop of yellow from its petite but beautiful flowers. This crop has the chance to break through the market and provide a new fresh plant for gardeners everywhere.

I. Introduction: Taxonomic Classification and Geographical Distribution

Potentilla villosa or Villous Cinquefoil is a lesser known crop that is native to Alaska with the potential to be a beautiful addition to the floriculture industry. The scientific name for this crop is Potentilla villosa with synonyms being: Potentilla villosa var. villosa, Potentilla nivea var. villosa Pall ex. Pursh; commonly named Villous or Northern Cinquefoil it is a part of the family Rosaceae (Giblin, 2019). The native range for this plant is mountainous, rocky, and coastal regions in the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and Alaska with some evidence of it being in

Scandinavia and in east Asia (Figure 1)(Brietzke et al. 2013).

FIGURE 1: Native distribution of Potentilla villosa throughout North America (USDA, 2019).

The plant requires direct sun and dry rocky soils for good growth, although it can survive in wet climates (TWC Staff, 2007). From what has been found about the plant, it stays in its native range and is not an invasive problem nor has any concern with conservation of the plant (Giblin,

2019). The native habitat of the P. villosa is in rock crevices or slopes near seas or in mountain ranges near the Bering Sea.

FIGURE 2: Illustration of P. villosa seed, flower, and plant (E-Flora BC, 2019).

The plant is a perennial that grows from a crown that can reach 5-20cm in stem height and has a tufted look with a soft feel. The roots are thick with there being rhizomes to promote spread and growth. Because the plants are found in small crevices, the rhizomes are short but thick to aid in stability. The leaves are ternate with each leaflet being about 1-2cm long, obovate and dentate

with a protruding vein (Figure 2, Figure 3). The leaves are covered in white hairs that give them a soft wool-like feel over the otherwise leather-like leaf tissue (Giblin, 2019).

FIGURES 3 & 4: Photo of P. villosa leaves and flower, on file at the Burke Museum at

the University of Washington (Giblin, 2019).

The inflorescence is: open, usually contains 1-5 flowers with 20 stamens and pistils (Figure 3). It has a- sub-terminal style, and generally yellow and is in bloom from July to September. This crop produces an achene fruit that is long and smooth and approximately 1mm in length. P. villosa is the only diploid species in the Genus in North America (Flora of North America,

2015). This crop has not been researched in-depth and all that is known is the very basic information of physiology and morphology, but very little history has been found or a utility use for this particular crop.

II. Crop Species

Although many species of Potentilla have a rich history and have been used in many breeding experiments, this particular species does not have a very long history in the industry and is not sold commercially, so there is not any data on this crop’s domestication or breeding.

This plant is mainly found in the wild or on file at herbariums across the country. This crop can be propagated vegetatively or by seed but little testing has been done to check the efficiency and time needed to grow.

FIGURE 5: Theoretical Distribution flow chart for P. villosa depicting a traditional industry path.

Although this plant has no industry history, it has the potential to be a high demand ornamental plant that can be used in areas with dry rocky soil that would add a lush aesthetic to where it is planted. The first step to commercializing this plant would be to domesticate it and subject it to tests to further identify nutrient requirements or better growing tips. The domestication and research/development section (Figure 5) has to be completed before it can be released as a species ready for growing and selling, as there is not much known on its transportability or other necessary attributes to a good commercial crop.

III. Anticipated Cultural Requirements

Life Cycle:

This is an herbaceous perennial. It germinates in the late spring in rocky areas and

flowers mid-summer to early fall. It then over-winters and keeps growing every year.

Plant Characteristics:

This herbaceous perennial would be used as a bedding plant or a potted

plant because of its soft foliage and beautiful flowers. As a bedding plant it would

provide a cover with the dark green leaves as it expands over the soil and it would have

long stalks with one flowers each so it would provide levels to the flower bed. What sets

it apart from other plants that are similar is its soft fur on all or the leaves. It could be

marketed as a flower or a foliage crop or both because it is versatile in these markets.

Winter Hardiness and Heat/Drought:

P. villosa is a crop native to arctic or harsh climates so according to the USDA plant

hardiness map (Figure 6) and where the crop is found, it can be approximated to be rated

at a range from 2b to 6a (USDA, 2012). On the other end, according to the American

Horticultural Society (AHS) Plant Heat-Zone Map the plant ranks in zones 1-3(AHS,

1997).

FIGURE 6: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and the AHS Plant Heat-Zone Map

Production Environment:

This crop requires full sun to partial shade and can grow in a variety of soil types but is found in rocky areas. It can tolerate low temperatures at night and during the day and is a long day plant. For other species in the genus, they can tolerate normal greenhouse or garden conditions (Oakland Nurseries, 2019). Nothing has been recorded for temperatures and conditions for growth during the different production phases of this crop. From what has been observed it does well flowering in a long day setting in a greenhouse. Research on other

Potentilla shows that under short days the plants had stopped growing but flowering could be induced at all temperatures while under long days the plant grew well but would only flower while under colder temperatures (Heide et al, 2015) The crop does require pruning before leafing out and transplant; start by removing 50-75% of the top foliage while still keeping a mound shape (Hawks Landscape, 2018). Another tip for larger growth and more foliage and flowers, applying fertilizer like Miracle Gro while it is still young.

IV. Market Niche

This product would be used for most spring to mid-summer and could be sold in pots alone or in mixed pots. This crop could potentially be forced year-round since it is hardy and drought tolerant and is fairly easy to grow. There are some diseases and pests that can be really detrimental to the growth of the crop: downy mildew, aphids, iron chlorosis, and leaf spot disease (Plantopedia, 2016). The plant that would compete the most with this crop is Potentilla fruticosa and this is because it fits the same sort of niche in timing and use. The P. fruticosa is a bit more bush like than the fuzzy villosa but they have the same flowers and leaf shapes. The P. fruticosa has a longer history of being on the market and is commonly sold so for the villosa crop

to compete it would have to be marketed well. Like all the rest of Potentilla, P. villosa has medicinal properties and its root has been used to cure a list of health problems, including: diarrhea, inflammation, immune system, toothache, nerve pain, and skin health (Staughton,

2018). Another utility of P. villosa is its ability to attract butterflies making it a perfect addition to a garden to increase pollinators in that area (Missouri Botanical Garden, 2019). Having many utilities makes this crop fill many niches in a market where being a multi-faceted crop can set it apart from the competition.

Market Story

Fuzzy, beautiful, mysterious. Potentilla villosa has come from the mountains to reach customers everywhere. From the rocky coasts to Alaska to the mountains of the Northwest, this crop offers a lot in terms of flower and foliage: soft leaves, bush like growth, single flowers on long stems. Not much is known as researchers do research on this hardy bedding plant but as tests are run, more becomes known. Grown through seed, division, or cuttings, P. villosa has the potential to be a very successful crop, especially in the northern parts of the US. A hardy herbaceous perennial that has fuzzy leaves and beautiful flowers could feature in gardens everywhere as soon as 2021.

V. Production Information Guide (PIG) & Crop Schedule

Growth Environments: Greenhouse, Rock Garden, Field

Grown from Seed (vegetative division of the rhizome can be used but very low success rate)

Flowers from July to September

Full sun to partial shade

128 plug tray with 1 seed/plug

Plug Crop Weeks: 6-7

Cover Seed: No

Germination: 15-20 days

Stratification: 30 days

Media Requirements:

- Gemination requires the soil to be around 19-22℃

- Well-drained and rich

- pH: 5-7.5

Photoperiod: Short Day or Long day (Short Day plants flower at all temps, Long Day only

flower at cold temps)

Fertilizer: Rose Type (8-12-4)

Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming

Resistance: Cold hardiness and deer

Transport: slightly drought tolerant, keep cool and moist but can survive in other temperatures

Other Notes: When using a dry or granular rose type fertilizer, water immediately after application. Plant the final crop in an area that receives light shade to avoid fading flower color.

Growth Stages

I. Seed (30 days in stratification, 15-20 days of germination)

FIGURE 7: Potentilla Seeds (Seeds of Success, 2011)

Seeds are not harvested easily and do not last very long. Most seeds need to be purchased

from a distributor. Require a month of stratification.

II. Pubescence (3-4 weeks)

FIGURE 8: Pubescent P. villosa on the Chukchi coast (Ground Truth Trekking, 2019)

Leaves become hairy, foliage is gray, small/compact. Transplant when strong enough to

be handled.

III. Maturity (3-4 weeks)

FIGURE 9: P. villosa on Lincoln Street Beach, Sitka, Alaska (NAWWAL, 2003)

Rhizomes develop and spread, more foliage develops, Pedicles emerge with buds.

Prime time to sell crop or plant it in the fields

IV. Flowering (2.5-3 months)

FIGURE 10: P. villosa in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska (Seaweeds of Alaska, 2019)

Flowers will continuously bloom all summer and possibly till the first frost in the fall.

Crop Schedule:

NOTE: Week # refers to week on the grower calendar. Weeks where no tasks are required (other than growing!) are omitted from schedule.

Week 6 (Feb. 6) Week 11 (Mar. 15) Week 14-15 (Apr. 5-12) Week 17 (Apr. 26)

Place seeds in Remove seeds from Check Germination and Transplant to pots or stratification stratification. move to main house if packs Sew into 128 plug there is germination tray. Place in Mist House

Week 18-19 (May 3-10) Week 20 (May 17) Week 21 (May 24) Week 23 (Jun 7)

Deadhead any flowers Target day for For field crops: Plant Fertilize with 8- that may occur. packaging and the crop in the field 12-4 distribution about 41 cm apart (wholesale ends) For ornamentals: Plant in Mostly sun with a small amount of shade about 41 cm apart.

Week 24-37 (Jun 14-Sep 20) Week 38 (Sep 27)

For ornamentals:Deadhead all First Predicted Frost old flowers to encourage new growth. Periodically fertilize Leave overwinter as they are with 8-12-4 when necessary. perennial

For field crops: harvest the cut Do not cover. flowers as they bloom. Periodically fertilize with 8-

12-4 when necessary.

Weeks for growing from seed to wholesale distribution: 14 weeks

Weeks for planting as a field crop or as ornamental crop: 14 weeks

Total weeks from beginning to end: 28 weeks

Observations: Production of this plant could be efficient and sustainable as a future horticultural crop. Ways that this schedule and these methods could be improved upon would be: breeding a species that does not require stratification, breed a long day species that is efficient with flowering at all temps, and doing more research in general to improve the domestication of this species.

Literature Cited:

American Horticultural Society. 1997. AHS Plant Heat Zone Map. Washington D.C.

Brietzke, C., and B. Starzomski. 2013. Villous Cinquefoil. Biodiversity of the Central Coast.

University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

E-Flora BC. 2019. Potentilla villosa Pall. ex Pursh. UBC Herbarium. University of British

Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Flora of North America. 2015. Potentilla villosa. eFloras. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis,

MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Gilbin, D. 2019. Potentilla villosa. Burke Herbarium Collection. University of Washington,

Seattle, Washington.

Goff, M. 2003. Villous Cinquefoil. NAWWAL. Sitka, Alaska.

Ground Truth Trekking. 2019. Cinquefoil. Ground Truth Trekking. Seldovia, Alaska.

Hawks Landscape. 2019. Potentilla - Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing. Hawks Landscape,

Wauwatosa, WI.

Heide, O., Sønsteby, A. 2015. Flowering physiology and cold resistance of Potentilla palustris

(L.) Scop., a wild relative of the strawberry. Norwegian University of Life Sciences, As,

Norway.

Missouri Botanical Garden. 2019. Potentilla fruticosa. Missouri Botanical Garden. St Louis,

Missouri.

Oakland Universities. 2019. Goldfinger Potentilla. Columbus, Ohio

Seaweeds of Alaska. 2019. Potentilla villosa. Kenai, Alaska

Seeds of Success. 2011. Potentilla. U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management.

Washington, D.C.

Staughton, J. 2018. 7 Interesting Benefits of Potentilla. Organic Information Services. Tunga

Village, Chandivali, Mumbai.

TWC Staff. 2007. Potentilla villosa. Plant Database. Wildflower Center at the University of

Texas at Austin.

USDA. 2012. Plant Hardiness Map. PRISM Climate Group-Oregon State University, Oregon.

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Team. 2019. Potentilla villosa Pall. ex Pursh. PLANTS

Database. USDA, Washington D.C.