Potentilla reptans, commonly known as Creeping Cinquefoil or European Cinquefoil, is a perennial herb native to a wide range of habitats across Eurasia and Northern Africa, including grasslands, roadsides, and open woodlands. This plant is characterized by its long, trailing stems that root at the nodes, creating a mat-forming ground cover. It typically grows to a height of 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) with a spread that can be quite extensive due to its rooting stems. The leaves are palmate with five leaflets, and the bright yellow flowers, each with five heart-shaped petals, bloom from June to August and are quite showy.

Creeping Cinquefoil is valued for its ability to cover ground quickly, making it useful for erosion control and as a low-maintenance ground cover in garden settings. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils, though it is tolerant of a range of soil types. This plant is also drought-tolerant once established. In some regions, Potentilla reptans is used in traditional medicine, and its leaves have been used as a herbal remedy. However, gardeners should be cautious as it can become potentially invasive outside its native range, spreading aggressively and outcompeting native vegetation.CC BY-SA 4.0