Taxon Report

Potentilla uliginosa B.C. Johnst. & Ertter

Cunningham Marsh cinquefoil

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Potentilla uliginosa, commonly known as Cunningham Marsh cinquefoil, is a perennial herb in the Rosaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Marshes and swamps, growing at elevations from 30 to 40 meters. Potentilla uliginosa is ranked 1A, Plants Presumed Extirpated in California and Either Rare or Extinct Elsewhere.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Potentilla uliginosa B.C. Johnst. & Ertter
Common Name:
 Cunningham Marsh cinquefoil
Family: Rosaceae
Element Code: PDROS1B4A0
USDA Plants Symbol: POUL
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: May-Aug May-Aug
Elevation: 30-40 (100-130)
General Habitats: Marshes and swamps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details: permanent oligotrophic wetlands

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1A
Global Rank: GX
State Rank:
 SX
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • added to 1A on 2010-12-20

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 1
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 1
   Unknown (U) 0

Location
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Sonoma (SON)*
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Two Rock (3812237)*

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 2
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 100 %
Agriculture 1 100%
Development 1 100%

Notes
Known only from Cunningham Marsh of southern SON Co. See J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 4(1):13-18 (2010) for original description.
Threats:
Presumed extinct due to agriculture and development.
Taxonomy:
Previously identified as P. hickmanii.

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2010-12-20
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 7 November 2025].