Roadless Areas
Home/Species/ Robbins' Cinquefoil

Potentilla robbinsiana

Oakes ex Rydb.

Robbins' Cinquefoil

G1Critically Imperiled Found in 4 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.159641
Element CodePDROS1B1N0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRosales
FamilyRosaceae
GenusPotentilla
Other Common Names
dwarf mountain cinquefoil (EN) Dwarf Mountain Cinquefoil (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2023-03-06
Change Date1983-08-18
Edition Date2023-03-06
Edition AuthorsOstlie, W. (MRO, 1990), rev. L. Morse (2000), rev. A. Tomaino (2008), rev. Eberly (2023)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent<100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 5
Rank Reasons
Potentilla robbinsiana is a tiny, charismatic, perennial herb endemic to the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the northeastern U.S.A. It is a glacial relict and restricted to alpine areas. This species' habitat is extremely limited and there are only two naturally occurring populations, one of which has less than five plants. Two transplanted populations appear to be viable. Impacts from trampling have affected this species substantially in the past but trail rerouting has reduced this threat. Monitoring of this species should continue to detect changes in threats, especially climate change, and to continue to document population trends. This species recovery at present has been successful due to the contributions of many organizations that have raised the profile of the species and collaborated to mitigate threats and enhance populations.
Range Extent Comments
Potentilla robbinsiana occurs in the northeastern United States, where it is endemic to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It is a glacial relict restricted to alpine areas, above the treeline.
Occurrences Comments
There are two naturally occurring populations, Monroe Flats and Franconia Ridge. In addition, there are two transplant populations within the species native range: Camel Patch, first established in the 1980's, and new Franconia Ridge, first established in 1988 at what is likely a historical site (USFWS 2002).
Threat Impact Comments
This species was delisted largely because of the collective efforts to protect it from recreation, educate the public, and fold in ex situ conservation efforts to boost natural sites and to establish introduced occurrences for security (AMC Staff 2021). Over the decades this species declined due to trampling by hikers and over collection. construction of a stone wall in the habitat area may be limiting further spread of the population. Crawford Pass was rerouted to protect the largest population from trampling. Acid rain is a potential threat, but its effect on the species are still unknown. Climate change may be the greatest threat and ongoing monitoring will be necessary to detect impacts to this species.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

This species grows in the Alpine tundra zone, largely above 1,550 m elevation, on an exposed, barren fellfield characterized by high winds and extremely low temperatures. The shallow soils are covered by a thin layer of naturally cemented pebbles and fragmented stones. This "pavement" layer is easily broken but, when undisturbed, it prevents the underlying thin soils from being blown or washed away. Also found in low numbers on a west-facing cliff at 1460 m elevation.

Reproduction

Plants are slow to mature, taking up to 13 years to reach flowering size (Fitzgerald et al. 1990). Self-pollination is prevalent in this species (Fitzgerald et al. 1990) and they are also apomictic (Graber 1980). Studies indicate that there is little or no genetic diversity or gene flow in the species (Fitzgerald et al. 1990). Seeds are seldom dispersed more than 14 cm from the mother plant (Graber 1980). A study documenting survivorship from 1985-1987 documented an annual survival rate ranging from 85-91% for the combined juvenile/adult population (Fitzgerald et al. 1990).
Terrestrial Habitats
AlpineCliff
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
New HampshireS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource useUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)
5.2 - Gathering terrestrial plantsUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceRestricted - smallSlight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activitiesRestricted - smallSlight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)UnknownHigh - low
11.1 - Habitat shifting & alterationPervasive (71-100%)UnknownHigh - low

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (4)
New Hampshire (4)
AreaForestAcres
Dartmouth RangeWhite Mountain National Forest9,233
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest15,110
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
References (35)
  1. AMC Staff. 2021. Tiny and Triumphant: How a Team Approach Saved Robbins’ Cinquefoil from Extinction. Be Outdoors, Appalachian Mountain Club. Online. Available: https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/conservation-and-climate/tiny-and-triumphant-how-a-team-approach-saved-robbins-cinquefoil-from-extinction/.
  2. Brackley, F. Botanist and Coordinator, New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory, Concord, New Hampshire. Personal communication.
  3. Cogbill, C.V. 1993. The interplay of botanists and Potentilla robbinsiana: discovery, systematics, collection, and stewardship of a rare species. Rhodora 95(881): 52-75.
  4. Cogbill, R. 1987. Characterization of Potentilla robbinsiana habitat. Report for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  5. Countryman, W.D. 1980. Vermont's endangered plants and the threats to their survival. Rhodora 82: 163-171.
  6. Crow, G.E. 1982. New England's rare, threatened, and endangered plants. USWFS Northeast Region, Newton Corners, MA.
  7. Doucette, J.E. Appalachian Mountain Club, Gorham, New Hampshire. Personal communication.
  8. Fitzgerald, B.T., K.D. Kimball, C.V. Cogbill, and T.D. Lee. 1988. The biology and management of Potentilla robbinsiana, a White Mountain endemic.
  9. Fitzgerald, B.T., K.D. Kimball, C.V. Cogbill, and T.D. Lee. 1990. The biology and management of <i>Potentilla robbinsiana</i>, an endemic from New Hampshire's White Mountains. New York State Mus. Bull. 471: 163-166.
  10. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2014b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 9. Magnoliophyta: Picramniaceae to Rosaceae. Oxford University Press, New York. xxiv + 713 pp.
  11. Gleason, H.A., and A. Cronquist. 1963. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. D. Van Nostrand Company, New York, NY. 810 pp.
  12. Graber, R.E. 1980. The life history and ecology of Potentilla robbinsiana. Rhodora 82: 131-140.
  13. Graber, R.E., and G.E. Crow. 1982. Hiker traffic on and near the habitat of Robbins cinquefoil, an endangered plant species. Station Bulletin 522. New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, University of New Hampshire, Durham.
  14. Graber, R.E., and L.G. Brewer. 1985. Changes in the population of the rare and endangered plant Potentilla robbinsiana Oakes during the period 1973 to 1983. Rhodora 87: 449-457.
  15. Hulten, E. 1968. Flora of Alaska and neighboring territories. Stanford Univ. Press, Palo Alto, CA. 1008 pp.
  16. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  17. Kimball, K.D. 1985a. Endangered species information system species workbook: I. Species distribution (<i>Potentilla robbinsiana</i>). Unpublished report for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  18. Kimball, K.D. 1985b. Endangered species information system species workbook: II. Species biology (<i>Potentilla robbinsiana</i>). Unpublished report for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  19. Kimball, K.D. 1985c. Progress in the robbins cinquefoil (<i>Potentilla robbinsiana</i>) recovery program. Endangered Species Technical Bull. 10(5): 6-11.
  20. Kimball, K.D., and B.T. Fitzgerald. 1988. 1987 progress report: Biological and management study of Potentilla robbinsiana. Unpublished report for the Appalachian Mountain Club.
  21. Kimball, K.D., and R. Paul. 1986. Potentilla robbinsiana autoecological, reproductive biology, and management study: 1985 progress report. Appalachian Mountain Club Research Department Technical Report 86-6.
  22. Lee, T.D. 1986. The reproductive biology of Potentilla robbinsiana. In K.D. Kimball, and R. Paul (eds.). Potentilla robbinsiana autoecological, reproductive biology, and managment study: 1985 progress report. Appalachian Mountain Club Research Department Technical Report 86-6.
  23. Lee, T.D. 1987. Experimental transplants of juvenile Potentilla robbinsiana. Unpublished report for the Appalachian Mountain Club.
  24. Lee, T.D. University of New Hampshire. Personal communication.
  25. Love, A., and D. Love. 1965. Taxonomic remarks on some American alpine plants. Univ. Colorado Studies Series in Biology 17: 23-24.
  26. Morse, Larry E. Personal Communication. North American Botanist, NatureServe, Arlington, VA. Formerly Chief Botanist, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
  27. Spear, R.W. 1989. Late-Quaternary history of high-elevation vegetation in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Ecological Monographs 59: 125-151.
  28. Sperduto, D. Personal Communication. Forest Botanist, United States Forest Service, White Mountain National Forest.
  29. Steele, F.L. 1964. Potentilla robbinsiana in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Rhodora 66: 408-411.
  30. Taylor, D.T. 1981d.<i> Potentilla robbinsiana</i> educational program and hiker survey. Appalachian Mountain Club, Gorham, New Hampshire.
  31. Taylor, D.T. 1982i. <i>Potentilla robbinsiana </i>educational program and hiker survey. Appalachian Mountain Club, Gorham, New Hampshire.
  32. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1980. Endangered status and critical habitat proposed for Robbin's cinquefoil. Endangered Species Technical Bull. 5(4): 12.
  33. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1980. Robbin's cinquefoil endangered. Endangered Species Technical Bull. 5(10): 4.
  34. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2002. Removal of <i>Potentilla robbinsiana</i> (Robbins' cinquefoil) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. Final rule. Federal Register 67(166): 54968-54975.
  35. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). 1983. Robbin's cinquefoil (<i>Potentilla robbinsiana</i>) recovery plan.