1898-1902. No. 2.] VASCULAR PLANTS OF ELLESMERELAND. 55 



Potentilla Vahliana, Lehm. 



p. Vahliana, Lehmann, Mon. Potent., 1820, Revis. Potent., Nov. Stirp. Pug. IX; 

 Rydberg, Mon. Anier. Potent.; Lange, Consp. Fl. GroenL; Nathorst, N. W. 

 Gronl. ; Hooker, Fl. Bor. Amer.; P. hirsuta, Fl. Dan., T. 1390; P. nivea var. 

 hirsuta, Durand, Eniim. pi. Smith S.; P. nivea, Torrey & Gray, Fl. N. Amer.; 

 P. nivea, Hart, Bot. Br. Pol. Exp., ex p. ; P. Jamesoniana, Greville, Descr. Pot. 

 Fig. Fl. Dan., T. 1390; Greville, 1. c, T. 20; Rydberg, 1. c, T. 35, fig. 8.; 

 Tab. nostra 4, fig. 1. 



This species is very clearly described by Lehmann (Mon. Potent), 

 and, as it is very distinct from all other arctic species, it is not easy 

 to understand how it can notwithstanding have been so often confounded 

 with others. Hooker, 1. c, p. 195, says: "Affinis P. niveae sed certe 

 species distincta, petalis reniformibus facile ab omnibus P. niveae formis 

 discernenda": but, notwithstanding he adds: "but I possess many speci- 

 mens of a Potentilla from the higher summits of the Rocky Mountains 

 and from the Arctic Regions, which appear to be quite intermediate 

 between P. Vahliana and P. nivea". There are, however, no such 

 specimens to be found in the Kew collections, where the Hookerian her- 

 barium is now preserved. Several authors have since put it as a variety 

 under P. nivea, and Meehan (Contr. Greenl.) has even taken it for P. 

 piilchella, as is seen by the corrections of his paper made by Th. Holm 

 (Contr. Fl. Greenl.). Perhaps also the P. pulchella of Durand, PI. Kan., 

 is to be referred to this species, as far as can be judged from his 

 description. But he has also P. nivea y, Torr. & Gray, with P. Vahliana, 

 Lehm. as a synonym. 



The confusion is probably due in great part to the very bad figure 

 in the Flora Danica, that could, but for the flower, which is decidedlv 

 that of P. Vahliana, sooner represent any other species than P. 

 Vahliana. 



Even in a sterile state, the species is very easily distinguished al- 

 ready from afar; its large, densely-packed, hemispherically-tufted indi- 

 viduals immediately catching the eye, as they stand spread over the ground, 

 sometimes with only the naked earth between them. The ^shape of the 

 leaves also is rather characteristic, but still the flower gives the best 

 distinguishing marks, by its size and its broadly obcordate petals (they 

 are broader than they are long), which are of a beautiful yellow colour, 

 with a saffron-coloured stain. 



It is mostly found in clay- or gravel-plains, where its strong tap- 

 root goes deep down. Its flowering time seems to be rather late; I 

 have never seen it in bloome before the beginning of July; in the un- 



