Nabalus boottii

N. boottii is a single-stemmed herbaceous perennial reaching in height. It emerges from short, thick taproots. The stem may be upright or growing horizontally along the ground. It is mottled purple, glabrous at the base and tomentose near the distal end. The cauline leaves each have a petiole long, and have ovate to deltate blades long by wide. The basal leaves are hastate or sagittate, with the margins being entire or weakly dentate. It primarily reproduces clonally. == Distribution and habitat ==

N. boottii is found elusively in alpine habitats above treeline between in elevation, where it frequently grows alongside the related N. trifoliolatus. The size of these populations range from over 25,000 individuals to just a few plants. The estimated global population is nearly 130,000 individuals, with almost 90% of those individuals being found in the vicinity of Mt. Washington. == Conservation status and threats ==

N. boottii is designated as an imperiled species (G2) globally, and critically imperiled (S1) in each of the four US states it occurs. The alpine habitats on which this species depends are fragile and easily impacted. Many of the existing populations are found in popular areas for recreation, making them particularly vulnerable to trampling and other disturbances. Like other alpine endemic plants, N. boottii is particularly vulnerable to the affects of climate change, which is expected to disrupt high-elevation ecoystems globally. == References ==