It's a big family. See below for photos.

The Geum family also has trifoliate leaves on smaller plants.

Identification from pictures is tricky. I suggest you find a good field guide for your area (sign out from your local public library if you can't afford to buy one)and key it out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Potentilla Pictures

Yup me know ID is tricky....I'm a hort. student LOL!
I'll just press a specimen and take it to one of our Ag/Hort plant ID instructors when fall quarter starts...I have a plant press that I checked out over break for a my fall class called "Special Problems" and I'll be gathering pest and disease specimens thru summer. It's basicly an independent study class.
Thanks,

Vera

Aha! Me gots it!

I went to searching for Potentilla sp. with trifoliate leaves and found that there is:
P. norvegica (Rough Cinquefoil)
P. millegrana (Diffuse Cinquefoil)

I have the Diffuse.. and it's just now beginning to open the yellow blooms :)

I didn't plant it but I can welcome it.

Vera

Here is a pic......sorry if blurry

{{gwi:1157366}}
{{gwi:1157368}}

Vera