Potentilla basaltica
Black rock potentilla
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Potentilla basaltica (Black rock potentilla) is a native California herb in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Glaucous stems, overlapping leaflets, and recurved fruiting pedicels.
Black rock potentilla is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in Ash Valley in alkaline meadows at elevations around 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white or yellow flowers with petals 4 to 6.5 millimeters long in small clusters of 5 to 20 blooms. Growing with prostrate to decumbent stems 10 to 40 centimeters long that are glaucous and glabrous, it forms a low rosette from a thick taproot. Its pinnate basal leaves have 10 to 15 leaflets per side, each 5 to 10 millimeters long, typically entire or with shallow 2 to 3 lobes. The fruit is pale brown, approximately 2 millimeters long, with a smooth or slightly ridged surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species. Glaucous stems, overlapping leaflets, and recurved fruiting pedicels are diagnostic.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline meadows
Elevation: +- 1500 m.
Outside California: northwestern Nevada
Bloom period
Potentilla basaltica blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Drymocallis: Potentilla styles stay thread-thin throughout; Drymocallis styles are swollen in the middle like tiny clubs.; vs Fragaria: Potentilla typically has 5+ leaflets; Fragaria has three leaflets.; vs Argentina: Potentilla leaves are green on both sides; Argentina leaves are silvery-white beneath.; vs Ranunculus: Potentilla has compound leaves with distinct leaflets; Ranunculus typically has lobed or divided leaves.; vs Rubus: Potentilla is herbaceous with dry seed clusters; Rubus is woody-stemmed with compound berry fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Potentilla basaltica native to California?
Yes. Potentilla basaltica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potentilla basaltica bloom?
Potentilla basaltica blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Potentilla basaltica belong to?
Potentilla basaltica is in the Rosaceae family, genus Potentilla.
Is Potentilla basaltica rare or endangered?
Potentilla basaltica carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Potentilla basaltica grow in?
Potentilla basaltica grows in Alkaline meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.