Taxon Report

Potentilla morefieldii B. Ertter

Morefield's cinquefoil

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Potentilla morefieldii, commonly known as Morefield's cinquefoil, is a perennial herb in the Rosaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Alpine boulder and rock field, growing at elevations from 3265 to 4000 meters. Potentilla morefieldii is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Potentilla morefieldii B. Ertter
Common Name:
Morefield's cinquefoil
Family: Rosaceae
Element Code: PDROS1B2R0
USDA Plants Symbol: POMO18
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jul-Sep Jul-Sep
Elevation: 3265-4000 (10710-13125)
General Habitats: Alpine boulder and rock field
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 21
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 3
   Good (B) 3
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 15
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY), Mono (MNO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Boundary Peak (3711873), Juniper Mtn. (3711862), Mt. Barcroft (3711852), Mt. Thompson (3711825)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 4
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
5 24 %
Other 3 14%
Road/trail construction/maint. 2 9%
Foot traffic/trampling 2 9%
Erosion/runoff 1 4%

Notes

See Brittonia 44(4):429-435 (1992) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].