the plants that still have any potting soil around their roots may benefit by having the artificial soil removed and the plants replanted bare-rooted, as the potting soil could wick moisture from around the roots in summer. Monterey County, Eastwood collection, unable to locate site Monterey County, Pacific Grove near the reservoir on road to Cypress point, was last seen 1968, and is presumed extinct. Monterey County, Point Lobos State Reserve, experimental plantings at two sites, is presumed extinct. San Mateo County, Montara Mountain, north of town of Montara, eight populations were found, counted, and mapped in 2008. Population #1= 4 plants, Pop.#2=11 plants, Pop.#3=about 1,060 plants, Pop.#4=about 2,000 plants, Pop.#5=26 plants, Pop.#6=12 plants, Pop.#7=3 plants, Pop.#8=45 plants. UPDATE: By summer 2011, the species largest population #4, as well as #6, 7, and 8, were presumed extinct, as these populations were buried under a 2-m-tall, solid cover of exotic Harding grass. Population #3, that covering 30 by 230 m in 2008, had diminished to only 14 by 20 m, and only about 300 plants were observed. San Mateo County, Moss Beach near Point Montara, presumed extinct, last seen in 1933 Some ex situplants may exist, grown in nurseries for research or study, for example, or at universities or botanical gardens, but those numbers are unknown. Updated observations and conservation status Update (2013) on populations in San Mateo County, Montara Mountain, north of town of Montara: Specific consistent counts of this species are difficult due to the low stature, extended flowering period, and difficult terrain, making year-to-year comparisons problematic. The 2013 surveys have clearly shown that population 4 still exists above the existing Harding grass invasion, with at least 500 plants found in this area. In 2014, hand weeding of the area around population during summer 2011 has significantly lowered the weed plant cover of the area, with the big rattlesnake grass (Briza) originally at 61% cover in 2011 is now down to 1% cover in 2014. The hillside of Harding grass where population 4 exists was mowed in summer 2014. References External links California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants USDA Plants Database Profile: Potentilla hickmanii epa.gov: Full text of original Federal Register basis for listing as endangered species USFWS 2009 Five Year Review of the status of Potentilla Hickmanii PDF file hickmanii Endemic flora of California Natural history of the California Coast Ranges Natural history of