Scientific name: Potentilla recta Common name: Sulfur cinquefoil Updated 07/2002 A. PRIORITY #7 B. DESCRIPTION Sulfur cinquefoil is a long-lived perennial that grows 30 to 45 cm tall or taller. Growth begins in very early spring with the emergence of a cluster of basal leaves from the root crown. The plant bolts in late April or May and begins flowering in June. Late summer or fall rains can initiate a second emergence of basal leaves. Growth can continue until the soil freezes. Prior to flowering, sulfur cinquefoil has an appearance similar to a hairy version of a marijuana plant because of the shape of the compound leaves. The seeds of sulfur cinquefoil are tiny, brown or purplish-brown, beaked and flattened. Seed dispersal begins in mid-July. Seeds remain viable in the soil for at least three years. C. CURRENT DISTRIBUTION ON THE SITE SEE APPENDIX 2, MAP #8 D. DAMAGE & THREATS Sulfur cinquefoil is very competitive on semiarid to mesic grassland sites and can even become dominant in forest habitats where the overstory has been reduced. Drought tolerance and low grazing preference contribute to its ability to displace native vegetation and other introduced weeds such as spotted knapweed. E. GOALS The major goal the MNWAG wants to accomplish is to lessen the economic impact caused by common reed by increasing awareness of this potentially harmful invasive weed. Once encountered, we will eradicate small stands of reeds and reduce, then control, larger stands. F. OBJECTIVES (Measurable) (Establish measurable objectives for the planned control activities. Include: 1. the impact on numbers, density, cover, etc. that you want to achieve;
2. the size of the area in which you hope to achieve this;
3. the period in which you hope to achieve it. For example you may state your objectives in terms of reducing percent cover of the species by 50% over an area of 5 acres within 3 years. Another possible objective would be eliminating the species from the site within 2 years.)
G. MANAGEMENT OPTIONS Viable control options are:
(1) CHEMICAL – Tordon (picloram) and 2,4-D ester both provide effective control of cinquefoil without harming grasses (if applied at recommended rates). Ally (metsulfuron) will also control cinquefoil, but may cause grass injury. Sulfur cinquefoil will re-establish withinthree to four years of treatment, so repeated applications are needed for long-term herbicide control.
(2) MECHANICAL – In productive areas, cultivation with annual crops will control sulfur cinquefoil. Hand pulling or chopping is also effective if care is taken to remove the root crown. Because the massive, woody root system stores extensive food reserves, mowing is not an effective control measure; the roots send up new shoots after mowing.
(3) BIOLOGICAL – Forty-seven species of insects are associated with sulfur cinquefoil in the northeaster United States. These insects need to be investigated for biocontrol potential. However, because of the close genetic relationship between cinquefoils and strawberries, there is concern with bioagents attacking non-target plants and crops.
H. ACTIONS PLANNED (Treatments and monitoring) (Briefly describe the locations to be treated, materials and methods to be used, and an approximate schedule for control and monitoring activities. If several methods are to be tested, outline the design of the planned experiment or demonstration.)
I. HOW ACTIONS WILL BE EVALUATED (Criteria for success) SEE APPENDIX 4: Examples of data collection forms. J. RESOURCE NEEDS SEE APPENDIX 3: Weed Management Plan Tables
K. RESULTS OF EVALUATION (This section is to be filled in later, preferably within 1 year, when monitoring data has been taken and evaluated, at least preliminarily. The evaluation should be used to determine whether any of the sections B-K above should be modified.)