POTENTILLA PINNATISECTA (Wats.) Aven Nelson, Bull. Wy. Exp. St. 28 : 104. 1896.
P. diversifolia pinnatisecta Wats. King's Rep. 5 : 87 (in part), 1871.
P. ovina James Macoun, Can. Rec. Sci.
The specimens from which P. diversifzAz junnatzsccla were de scribed, viz : Watson's nos. 331 and 332 of the King Expedition illustrate, I think, not less than three different species. In the Gray Herbarium, no. 331 is represented as it seems by a typical P. Plattensis. This is doubtless the reason why Watson afterwards transferred the var. pinnatiscaa to that species. No. 332, which Watson, in King's Report, characterizes as an alpine more hairy form, is there represented by a specimen of what James Macoun describes as P. ozfina. This may be regarded as the typical P. pinnatisecta, as the other forms of the collection are already named. In the Columbia Herbarium, no. 331 is represented by an un
usually large form of P. pinnatisecta (P. °villa Macoun) and no. 332 by a depauperate specimen of P. orpansa Wats.
The main differences between P. Plattozsis and P. pima/Isola are well pointed out by Prof. Nelson, 1. c., only that his character izing of P. Platiensis refers rather to the most common, more pros trate form with narrow segments, mentioned above, and that his specimens representing P. pinizatisecta are unusually large, less hairy and with longer segments than usual. The typical form is sub caespitose, seldom over 1 dm. high, with nearly leafless flowering stems, smaller stipules than in P. Plattensis, and a densely hoary pubescence, especially when young. It ranges from Colorado and Utah to British America, and is a strictly alpine plant.