Shrubby cinquefoil (Pontentilla Fruticosa auct. nonL)
"I see a world in the future in which we understand that all life is related to us and we treat that life with great humility and respect."
-- David Suzuki
This native perennial shrub is a member of the rose family. It grows 2-4 feet tall with bright yellow flowers that peak bloom in July and continues flowering until September. The Pontentilla is also native to subartic and cool temperate climates and many cultivars have been developed for landscaping due to its hardiness and low maintenance needs. The root structure helps prevent soil erosion making this plant useful for soil stabilization.
It is an important nectar and pollen plant for many types of native bees. The seeds of Shrubby Cinquefoil are a food source for birds and small mammals. Because it tolerates browsing well, it is an important source of fodder for deer although its nutrition value is not high. Due to its thick foliage, it provides cover for birds and mammals
Some First Nations people used it for medicinal and ceremonial purposes, making a tea out of its leaves, stems or roots.
What is remarkable about this Shrubby Cinquefoil is how many beneficial insects it attracts. Michigan State University identified this plant as attracting Orius Insidious (minute pirate bugs), Chalcidoidea (Chalcid wasp) , Thomisidae (Crab Spiders), Empididae (Dance flies) and other parasitic insects called beneficials. These beneficial insects prey upon pest insects reducing their numbers. (1)
Using plants that attract beneficial insects is one of the tools organic and permaculture gardeners use to protect their crops from insect damage without using poisonous chemicals. Rufus Isaacs, Professor of Entomology and Small Fruit Extension Specialist at Michigan State University states "Providing a broad range of flowering plants is an essential component of rebuilding a strong beneficial insect community in farmland. His work is funded by SARE(Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education)
Beneficial insects are in sharp decline in North America with insecticides and herbicides believed to contribute. The lack of a wide range of flowering plants that are needed for the survival of beneficial insects, is also implicated in their decreased populations. Planting the native wildflower Shrubby Cinquefoil, especially in a community of other plants that are known to attract beneficials, would help ensure the survival of both pollinating insects and beneficial insects. Most plants that attract beneficials also have the attribute of attracting pollinators as well. Not only will this help naturally reduce pests that infest our crops, but by providing food and cover for wildlife, help with the survival of many insects, pollinators, birds and mammals.
(1) Pirate bugs are insect predators about 1/8 inch long that feeds on aphids, thrips, mites, psyllids, and insect eggs. The chalcid wasp is type of predatory wasp that lays eggs inside of insect eggs, and many parasitize aphids, flies, moths, sawflies, mealybugs, and scales. Crab spiders stalk and capture insects resting on surfaces or walking. All dance flies are predators and feed on varied prey in litter, soil or water or bark beetles under bark.
PHOTO CREDIT By MPF (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
http://nativeplants.msu.edu/uploads/files/E2973.pdf
(1)http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/From-the-Field/North-Central-SARE-From-the-Field/Michigan-Researches-Use-Flowering-Plant-Strips-to-Support-Beneficial-Insects-and-Increase-Crop-Productivity
-- David Suzuki
This native perennial shrub is a member of the rose family. It grows 2-4 feet tall with bright yellow flowers that peak bloom in July and continues flowering until September. The Pontentilla is also native to subartic and cool temperate climates and many cultivars have been developed for landscaping due to its hardiness and low maintenance needs. The root structure helps prevent soil erosion making this plant useful for soil stabilization.
It is an important nectar and pollen plant for many types of native bees. The seeds of Shrubby Cinquefoil are a food source for birds and small mammals. Because it tolerates browsing well, it is an important source of fodder for deer although its nutrition value is not high. Due to its thick foliage, it provides cover for birds and mammals
Some First Nations people used it for medicinal and ceremonial purposes, making a tea out of its leaves, stems or roots.
What is remarkable about this Shrubby Cinquefoil is how many beneficial insects it attracts. Michigan State University identified this plant as attracting Orius Insidious (minute pirate bugs), Chalcidoidea (Chalcid wasp) , Thomisidae (Crab Spiders), Empididae (Dance flies) and other parasitic insects called beneficials. These beneficial insects prey upon pest insects reducing their numbers. (1)
Using plants that attract beneficial insects is one of the tools organic and permaculture gardeners use to protect their crops from insect damage without using poisonous chemicals. Rufus Isaacs, Professor of Entomology and Small Fruit Extension Specialist at Michigan State University states "Providing a broad range of flowering plants is an essential component of rebuilding a strong beneficial insect community in farmland. His work is funded by SARE(Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education)
Beneficial insects are in sharp decline in North America with insecticides and herbicides believed to contribute. The lack of a wide range of flowering plants that are needed for the survival of beneficial insects, is also implicated in their decreased populations. Planting the native wildflower Shrubby Cinquefoil, especially in a community of other plants that are known to attract beneficials, would help ensure the survival of both pollinating insects and beneficial insects. Most plants that attract beneficials also have the attribute of attracting pollinators as well. Not only will this help naturally reduce pests that infest our crops, but by providing food and cover for wildlife, help with the survival of many insects, pollinators, birds and mammals.
(1) Pirate bugs are insect predators about 1/8 inch long that feeds on aphids, thrips, mites, psyllids, and insect eggs. The chalcid wasp is type of predatory wasp that lays eggs inside of insect eggs, and many parasitize aphids, flies, moths, sawflies, mealybugs, and scales. Crab spiders stalk and capture insects resting on surfaces or walking. All dance flies are predators and feed on varied prey in litter, soil or water or bark beetles under bark.
PHOTO CREDIT By MPF (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
http://nativeplants.msu.edu/uploads/files/E2973.pdf
(1)http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/From-the-Field/North-Central-SARE-From-the-Field/Michigan-Researches-Use-Flowering-Plant-Strips-to-Support-Beneficial-Insects-and-Increase-Crop-Productivity
