Potentilla rhypara

Description

Potentilla rhypara is a perennial herb that grows from woody roots and a branching caudex. It has hairy, overlapping, compound basal leaves and stems up to 15 centimeters long. At the ends of the stems are clustered white or pale-yellow flowers. Blooming occurs in May through October.

Taxonomy

The species epithet rhypara ("grimy" in Greek) is derived from its dusty appearance and from its discoverer, James W. Grimes.

There are two varieties of this plant. The var. rhypara grows on barren tuff and var. shellyi grows in rock cracks and crevices on pumice and tuff. When the plants grow in rock fissures they sometimes appear to be lined up in rows. Associated plants include Purshia tridentata, Poa sandbergii, Gilia congesta, Sitanion hystrix, Scutellaria nana, and Eriophyllum lanatum.

Threats

Threats to this species, particularly var. rhypara, include gold mining, as the habitat contains gold deposits. Other threats include cattle, off-road vehicles, fire suppression, and loss of pollinating insects.

References

References

1. "Potentilla rhypara (Ertter & Reveal) Mosyakin & Shiyan {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science".
2. [http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Ivesia+rhypara ''Ivesia rhypara''.] The Nature Conservancy.
3. [http://heritage.nv.gov/atlas/ivesirhyparhypa.pdf ''Ivesia rhypara''.] {{Webarchive. link. (2010-05-27 Nevada Natural Heritage Program.)
4. [http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/CONSERVATION/profile_ivrhrh.shtml ''Ivesia rhypara''.] Oregon Department of Agriculture.
5. link. (2011-10-26 Center for Plant Conservation.)