Potentilla rhypara, also known as grimy mousetail and grimy ivesia, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family.[1] It is native to Oregon and Nevada in the United States.[2]
| Potentilla rhypara | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Potentilla |
| Species: | P. rhypara
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| Binomial name | |
| Potentilla rhypara | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editPotentilla rhypara is a perennial herb that grows from woody roots and a branching caudex.[3] 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.[2][4]
Taxonomy
editThe species epithet rhypara ("grimy" in Greek) is derived from its dusty appearance and from its discoverer, James W. Grimes.[4][5]
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.[2] When the plants grow in rock fissures they sometimes appear to be lined up in rows.[5] Associated plants include Purshia tridentata, Poa sandbergii,[2] Gilia congesta, Sitanion hystrix, Scutellaria nana, and Eriophyllum lanatum.[4]
Threats
editThreats 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.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Potentilla rhypara (Ertter & Reveal) Mosyakin & Shiyan | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ a b c d Ivesia rhypara. The Nature Conservancy.
- ^ Ivesia rhypara. Archived 2010-05-27 at the Wayback Machine Nevada Natural Heritage Program.
- ^ a b c Ivesia rhypara. Oregon Department of Agriculture.
- ^ a b c Ivesia rhypara var. rhypara. Archived 2011-10-26 at the Wayback Machine Center for Plant Conservation.