Cinquefoil is a large group which contains several species of shrubby plants with foliage and flower. The name “cinquefoil” means “five leaves,” though the number of leaves on a stem varies from three to seven. The leaves are about an inch in length and densely set on the branches. Bush cinquefoils are 2- to 4-foot shrubs grown for their attractive five-petaled flowers. The 1-inch flowers usually come in shades of yellow and orange (P. fruticosa) or yellow, pink and red (clumping hybrids.) Plants flower over a longer season than most shrubs, producing a mass displays in early summer, then continue to produce flowers in lesser numbers until fall. P. fruticosa is preferred for mixed shrub borders or low growing hedges while the clump-forming hybrids such as ‘Gibson’s Scarlet’ are best for perennial borders and rock gardens. They look best when several plants are set in a group.

Cinquefoil can be started from seeds sown in containers in a cold frame in fall or spring. Greenwood cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer, and mature plants can be divided in fall or spring. Cinquefoil has a creeping habit. The stem of cinquefoil creeps on the ground. The stem of this plant can reach up to 5 feet in length. The leaves are marked by hairy veins. There are 5 or7 smaller leaflets on each long stalk. The Cinquefoil bears bright yellow colored flowers from May to August. Cinquefoil contains resins, starch, chlorine, amino acid minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, silica, sodium) red pigment, vitamin c.

Cinquefoil can be sowed in either early autumn or early spring. They should be sown from 20 to 45 cm apart.They like to grow in a sandy soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5 to 7). Ideally they should grow in a sunny part of the garden but prefer partial shade in the afternoon. The seeds take from two to four weeks to germinate, and after that the seedlings should be transplanted into the garden either at the start of autumn or before the last frost of spring. The best time to harvest and collect cinquefoil is in the month of June. During collection, all the discolored or insect eaten leaves are rejected and only whole and undamaged parts are collected. It’s normal to uproot the entire plant.

It was also a very common remedy for treating fevers and related problems in the body. The main anti-bleeding agent in the cinquefoil is the tannic acid present in the extracts of the herb. It is used to reduce the pain of tooth. Cinquefoil root bark helps to stop bleeding from nose, traditionally it was used to treat diarrhea and related digestive problems.
Cinquefoil is also consumed as a vegetable in Europe and other places. Tender leaves of the cinquefoil can be eaten raw, or finely chopped and added in a salad or cooked in a variety of dishes.Since there are no side effects associated with the use of the cinquefoil, the remedies may be used safety.