Sulphur cinquefoil

Sulphur cinquefoil is a hairy perennial in the rose family, recognized by its hand-shaped (palmate) leaves split into five to seven narrow, sharply toothed leaflets that radiate from a single point. Originally from Eurasia, it is now widespread across North America along roadsides, fields and disturbed ground, and in early summer it carries flat, pale lemon-yellow five-petaled flowers.

• The name cinquefoil means 'five leaves' in Old French, though this species often cheats with six or seven leaflets.
• Its pale sulphur-yellow petals are unusual in a genus where most flowers are bright buttercup yellow.
• A single plant can release thousands of seeds, which is why it spreads so readily along roadsides and pastures.

Care
It needs almost no care and thrives in poor, dry soil, so if you want it in a garden keep it contained before it self-seeds everywhere.