Michx.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.159816
Element CodePDROS1B1U0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRosales
FamilyRosaceae
GenusPotentilla
Other Common Namescommon cinquefoil (EN) Old-field Cinquefoil (EN) Potentille simple (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, 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 Date2024-08-19
Change Date1984-06-25
Edition Date2024-08-19
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPotentilla simplex is a perennial forb occurring in dry or intermittently moist areas on acidic soils in pastures, meadows, along roadsides, in abandoned fields, and at the edges of mixed oak and conifer forests of eastern North America from Ontario east to Nova Scotia, Canada, south to Maine and Georgia west to Texas, and north to Nebraska in the United States. There are over 1,000 occurrences of this species rangewide, which are threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, and succession. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent, a high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Potentilla simplex is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPotentilla simplex occurs in eastern North America from Ontario east to Nova Scotia, Canada, south to Maine and Georgia west to Texas, and north to Nebraska in the United States (FNA 2014, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2024). The range extent of Potentilla simplex was estimated to be 3.7 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 1,000 occurrences (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Potentilla simplex is potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, succession, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.