MONTANA
STATE

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ST,'.TE DeCUMENTS COILECTICM

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59S20

SENSITIVE PLJ^NT SURVEYS IN THE
BIG BELT AND ELKHORN MOUNTAINS

U.S.D.A. FOREST SERVICE - REGION 1

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST

MONTANA

Prepared by:

Jackie M. Poole and Bonnie L. Heidel

Montana Natural Heritage Program

State Library Building

1515 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59620

Prepared for:

Helena National Forest
2880 Skyway Drive
Helena, MT 59601

Order No. 43-03H6-2-0125

January 1993

m

© 1993 Montana Natural Heritage Program

This doc\iment should be cited as follows: Poole, Jackie M. and
Bonnie L. Heidel. 1993. Sensitive Plant Surveys in the Big Belts
and Elkhorn Mountains, Helena National Forest. Montana Natural
Heritage Program. Helena, MT. 129 pp. plus printouts, maps

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY V

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vii

INTRODUCTION 1

STUDY AREA 2

METHODS ^

RESULTS

A. OVERVIEW OF PLANTS OF SPECIAL CONCERN WITHIN THE

BIG BELT AND ELKHORN MOUNTAINS STUDY AREA 7

B. VERIFIED PLANTS OF SPECIAL CONCERN INCLUDING

HABITAT PROFILES AND SPECIES STATUS

1. Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius. . .12

2 . Cirsium longistylum 2 2

3 . Delphinium andersonii 3 6

4 . Juncus hallii 4 3

5. Lesquerella klausii 51

6. Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae 63

DISCUSSION • "^^

LITERATURE CITED "^ ^

ii

APPENDIX

APPENDIX 1 - Areas surveyed 81

APPENDIX 2 - Preliminary list of special plants potentially
occurring in the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains 91

APPENDIX 3 - Species deleted from Appendix 2 93

APPENDIX 4 - Revised list of special plants potentially

occurring in the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains 96

APPENDIX 5 - Element occurrence records and maps of species
of concern occurring in the Elkhorn and Big Belt
Mountains on the Helena National Forest
unnumbered inserts

APPENDIX 6 - Preliminary plant list of the Big Belt

Mountains 103

APPENDIX 7 - Preliminary plant list of the Elkhorn

Mountains 120

iii

FIGURE 1. Helena National Forest - Big Belt and Elkhorn
Mountains study areas

FIGURE 2. Helena National Forest - Big Belt and Elkhorn
Mountains study area priorities

FIGURE 3. Helena National Forest - Big Belt and Elkhorn
Mountains sensitive plant sites

FIGURE 4. Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius
close up photo

FIGURE 5. Montana distribution of Astragalus convallarius
var. convallarius

FIGURE 6, Cirsium longistvlum close up photo

FIGURE 7. Cirsium longistylum habitat photo

FIGURE 8. Montana distribution of Cirsium longistylum

FIGURE 9. Delphinium andersonii illlustration

FIGURE 10. Montana distribution of Delphinium andersonii

FIGURE 11. Juncus hallii close up photo

FIGURE 12. Juncus hallii habitat photo

FIGURE 13. Montana distribution of Juncus hallii

FIGURE 14. Lesguerella klausii close up photo

FIGURE 15. Lesguerella klausii habaitat photo

FIGURE 16. Montana distribution of Lesguerella klausii

FIGURE 17. Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae close up
photo

FIGURE 18, Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae habitat photo

FIGURE 19. Montana distribution of Polygonum douglasii ssp.
austinae

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this study was to document the presence of
sensitive plant populations in the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains
of the Helena National Forest. This report summarizes the
findings of the field inventory, including information on areas
surveyed; rare plant status, locations, population data, and
habitat; significant sites; and further details relevant to
management decisions and future research. It represents a
sensitive species program baseline, preliminary floristic
inventory and contribution toward an ecosystem management
approach.

The study area consisted of all Helena National Forest lands
within the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains (Figure 1) . It was
divided into three priority levels for survey intensity as set by
the Forest Service (Figure 2) . The study focus stated in the
original proposal centered around three little-known sensitive
plant species collected once in the Big Belt Mountains. It was
broadened to include a preliminary list of 48 plants of special
concern potentially occurring in the Big Belt and Elkhorn
Mountains, compiled from data available from the Helena National
Forest and the Montana Natural Heritage Program (Appendix 2) .
Brief habitat profiles were developed for these species, and
potential habitats identified using information on soils,
landforms, geology, topography, and aerial photographs. Attempts
were made to relocate historical collections. Surveys were
conducted from mid-May through August 1992 (Appendix 1) .

There are ten documented species of special state concern within
the Helena National Forest administrative boundaries, six of
which are presently designated sensitive or watch on the most
current Region 1 - U.S. Forest Service list (Lesica and Shelly
1991) . Six species of special concern were discovered or
relocated in 1992, and work was done to interpret collection data
on four other species which were not relocated.

Two of the six species studied in this project (Juncus hallii and
Polygonum douqlasii var. austinae) are listed as sensitive by
Region 1 of the U.S. Forest Service. Delphinium andersonii.
currently listed as Watch by the Forest Service, was located for
the first time on the Helena National Forest, a significant
distance from other known locations in Montana. The other three
species (Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius , Cirsium
longistylum, and Lesquerella klausii) are considered species of
special state concern by the Montana Natural Heritage Program.
The latter two are Montana endemics.

Four species previously collected from the Big Belt Mountains
(Carex vallicola, Potentilla diversifolia var. multisecta,
Claytonia lanceolata var. f lava, and Arenaria kingii) were not

relocated. The latter two were lowered in consideration based on
review of available information.

Helena National Forest in the Big Belt Mountains maintains the
largest concentrations of Lesguerella klausii throughout its
global range; two-thirds of all known populations occur in the
northern half of the Big Belt Mountains of the Helena National
Forest and most of the remainder occur on another district of the
Forest. Discoveries of Cirsium lonqistvlum in the Big Belt and
Elkhorn Mountains represent major range extensions of another
species endemic to Montana, currently considered as a Category 2
species by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Discovery of Delphinium andersonii and rediscovery of Juncus
hallii and Polygonum douqlasii ssp. austinae in the Big Belt
Mountains represent significant range extensions, as well as the
largest known populations of the latter.

A total of 694 vascular plant species in 72 families were noted
in the Big Belt Mountains (Appendix 6) , and 382 species in 62
families were recorded in the Elkhorn Mountains (Appendix 7) .
The preliminary list of 48 species of special concern was
refined, and presently consists of 26 taxa in the course of the
study (Appendix 4) .

Several areas, habitats and species need more research to provide
a rudimentary information base for the sensitive species program.
Unsurveyed and undersurveyed areas include the Dry Range, the
Gates of the Mountain Wilderness, select low elevation areas
around the Big Belts, and the burned portion of the northern
Elkhorn Mountains. Undersurveyed habitats include riparian and
wetland communities, old growth forest and alpine habitats.
Species needing additional surveys include Juncus hallii ,
Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius . Delphinium andersonii.
Carex vallicola. Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae and Potent ilia
diversifolia var. multisecta. In addition, survey is recommended
for three early-blooming species which have high probabilities of
occurring on the Helena National Forest.

Our preliminary results document significant rare species and
species' sites in the Big Belt Mountains and Elkhorn Mountains,
as well as notably intact habitats. These sites contribute to
Helena National Forest biodiversity and should be protected to
conserve the genetic diversity of the species and their habitat.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Funding for this project was provided by the Helena National
Forest. Support for the study was given by Lois Olsen (Helena
NF) . Cathy Maynard (Helena NF) contributed information on soils
and landforms of interest for special plant surveys. Peter
Lesica conducted a portion of the field work. Several Natural
Resources Information System staff members (Valerie Jaffe, Kris
Larson, and Duane Lund) developed CIS maps for use during the
project and for the this report. Cedron Jones of the Montana
Natural Heritage Program also assisted with production of the GIS
maps. Margaret Beer and Cory Craig (Montana Natural Heritage
Program) supplied assistance with data management. Steve Shelly
(U.S. Forest Service Region 1) and Peter Lesica helped with
specimen identification.

INTRODUCTION

Maintenance of biological diversity and ecosytem function are
components of the U.S. Forest Service management mandate under
the National Forest Management Act of 1976 and the Resources
Planning Act Program of 1990 (Salwasser 1991) . One of the
specific objectives of this goal is the protection of sensitive
species as developed under regional sensitive species policies
(Reel et al, 1989) .

The first step towards this objective is baseline resource
inventory to identify sensitive species and to characterize their
distribution and habitat requirements. Sensitive species
identification has been accomplished in part through the Region 1
Sensitive Plant Field Guide with its target list of sensitive and
watch species for the Helena National Forest (USDA Forest Service
1988) , with updates (Lesica and Shelly 1991) . The list was
developed based on available botanical information.

The Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains are not well known
botanically, despite their proximity to Montana's capital city,
Helena. This is particularly true for rare plants. Previous to
this project, only one systematic species survey had been
conducted in the project area, inventory of Lesquerella klausii
in the Big Belt Mountains. Other previous collections of rare
plants, all from the Big Belt Mountains, included Arenaria
kingii. Carex vallicola, Cirsium longistylum, Claytonia
lanceolata var. f lava. Juncus hallii. Polygonum douqlasii ssp.
austinae, and Potentilla diversifolia var. multisecta. No rare
plants have been reported from the Elkhorn Mountains. Little was
known of the overall diversity and distribution of plant life in
the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains. Three little-known sensitive
species were originally proposed as the survey focus, including
Arenaria kingii. Juncus hallii . and Polygonum douglasii ssp.
austinae. The survey scope was expanded to include all
documented and potential species of special state concern.

The primary purpose of this study was to provide a baseline for
the sensitive species programs and related programs on the Helena
National Forest by conducting systematic field inventory for
sensitive species. Identification and determination of
distribution and habitat requirements were conducted within a
framework that lays the foundation for sensitive species
biological evaluations and for more detailed studies. The work
also represents a preliminary survey of the floristic diversity
of the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains and contributions to a
larger ecosystem management approach. This work was conducted
concurrently with a sensitive animal species study by the Montana
Natural Heritage Program (Reichel et al. 1993) .

Soils, landforms, geology, topography, and aerial photography
were used to select areas to sample, based on what was known
about sensitive species' habitat requirements. We tried to
relocate historical collections to determine their current status
and extent and expand the survey to potential habitat. This
report summarizes the findings of the field inventory, including
information on areas surveyed, rare plant status, locations, and
habitat profiles particularly as they apply to the Helena
National Forest study areas, other significant sites, and further
details relevant to management decisions and future research.

THE STUDY AREA

The Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains dominate the skyline east and
south of Helena, respectively, in south central Montana (Figure
1) . They lie as isolated mountain ranges on opposite sides of
the Missouri River Valley, eastern outliers of the Rocky
Mountains.

These mountain ranges are made up mainly of continuous blocks of
land administered by Helena National Forest. The Big Belt
Mountains lie entirely within Helena National Forest
administrative boundaries, part of the Townsend and Helena Ranger
Districts. The Elkhorn Mountains are mainly in the Helena
National Forest, except for the southwestern corner lying in the
Deerlodge National Forest. It is part of the Townsend Ranger
District. For management purposes, the Big Belt and Elkhorn
Mountains are considered separate ecosystem units.

These mountains are a geologic mix of sedimentary,
metasedimentary, and igneous rocks, with elevations ranging from
less than 4000 feet to almost 9500 feet. Climate is also quite
variable with an average annual precipitation low of just over 11
inches in Townsend to a high of over 27 inches in the Tizer Basin
in the Elkhorn Mountains (U.S. Forest Service 1992b) and a high
of over 43 inches on Boulder Baldy in the Big Belt range (U.S.
Forest Service 1992c) . Temperature varies from winter and summer
means of 18.1°F and 67.9°F in Helena, 24.8°F and 69.9°F at Holter
Dam, 19.7°F and 66.8°F in Townsend, and 19.6°F and 65.4°F at
Boulder State School (U.S. Department of Commerce 1982) .
Temperature data are not compiled for the mountain areas, but in
general the mountainous areas are cooler although winter
inversions may trap cold air in the valleys while the mountain
temperatures remain more moderate. Due to the mix of parent
materials and climatic variability, soils and plant communities
are also diverse. Grasslands and shrublands at lower elevations
blend into forests at middle and upper sites which give way to
subalpine and alpine zones or bare ridges at the highest points.
Wetlands are also important features, including numerous riparian
areas, wet meadows, marshes, and bogs.

Figure 1. Helena National Forest

Big Belt & Elkhorn Mountains
Study Areas

L_j National Forest

\ 'I Wilderness

^S State Land

I I Corporate Land

Ownership within Forest boundary

Scale = 1:500,000

The Big Belt Mountains are a broad, elongate, northwest-southeast
trending, uplifted arch of metasedimentary rocks, limestone and
limited shale. They are bounded by the Missouri River Valley on
the west, with a gravel-covered foreland sloping gently toward
the river. Major streams in the Big Belt Mountains are Beaver
and Deep Creeks on the west, and Atlanta and Big Camas Creeks on
the east (adapted from Holdorf and Sirucek 1988) .

The Elkhorn Mountains are composed of northward-trending
alternating ridges and valleys. They are primarily underlain by
metasedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Boulder Batholith that
have been faulted and folded and cut by rhyolitic rocks. Broad
intermontane valleys form the northern, eastern, and southwestern
boundaries. The Elkhorn Mountains converge on the Boulder
Mountains to the northwest. The division between these two
ranges is arbitrarily placed along the valleys of Beavertown and
Prickly Pear creeks. On the south the Elkhorn Mountains blend
into unnamed hills north of the Jefferson River. Principal
perennial streams in the Elkhorn Mountains area are Crow and
Beaver creeks on the east. Warm Springs, Elkhorn, Muskrat, and
Prickly Pear creeks on the west, and McClellan Creek on the north
(adapted from Holdorf and Sirucek 1988) . Large areas of the
northeastern end burned in a 1988 wildfire.

The study area consisted of all Helena National Forest lands
within the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains. The Dry Range to the
east of the Big Belt Mountains was to have been included within
the study area; however lack of reliable access to Forest Service
tracts intermixed amongst private lands and an abrupt and sudden
end to the field season has left the study of this area for a
future project. Surveys were not conducted on private lands,
Bureau of Land Management property, or other public holdings
within the study area. Survey areas are listed and mapped in
Appendix 1.

METHODS

A preliminary list of 48 state rare plant taxa known or suspected
to occur in the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains was compiled in
the first stage of setting species targets (Appendix 2) . The
Townsend Ranger District of the Helena National Forest developed
a list of 27 Region 1 Forest Service Sensitive plants which might
potentially occur on the district during the preparation of a
biological evaluation of an allotment permit renewal. In
addition, a search of the Montana Natural Heritage Program
database revealed 21 plants of special concern which occur within
the same watersheds and counties as the Big Belt and Elkhorn
Mountains, and thus potentially might occur there.

Using the preliminary list, brief habitat profiles were compiled
from readily available sources (USDA Forest Service 1992a; Lesica

and Shelly 1991a) . These habitats were then identified as well
as possible using information on soils, landforms, geology,
topography, and color aerial photographs of Helena National
Forest. Efforts were made to relocate historical collections to
determine not only their current status and extent, but to add
more information to the habitat profile. Fieldwork planning took
place concurrently with fieldwork due to delayed arrival of the
two new Montana Natural Heritage Program botanists.

Draft ecological landscape units developed by the Helena National
Forest were examined for applicability. They were defined in
part on forest type and structure, while many of the target
species occupy non-forested habitat or narrow zones within a
general habitat (see discussion. Appendix 4). Soil and landform
subunits were tested more closely for applicability. Select
subunits potentially harboring sensitive species were printed out
at the same scale as USGS 7.5' topographic quads, the units
transcribed onto the quads, and all units were visited on select
quads. In general, the soil type and landform units either added
no additional information to the search profile supplied by
topographic maps and aerial photographs, or the species occupied
multiple sets of environmental conditions. Soil types were most
useful for finding areas of limestone, a broad indicator for rare
plants in general within the project area.

The study area was divided and prioritized into three areas by
the Forest Service (Figure 2) (Olsen, pers. coramun. 1992).
Highest study priority was assigned to an area of the Big Belt
Mountains between Duck Creek Pass and Cayuse Mountain, and an
area in the Elkhorn Mountains from Crow Peak north to High Peak
and then southeast. The second priority level was the remainder
of the Elkhorn Mountains and the area of the Big Belt Mountains
to the south of the high priority area. The lowest priority area
was in the Big Belt Mountains to the north of Cayuse Mountain and
included the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness area and the Dry
Range.

Effort was made to cover the most suitable habitats for known or
suspected rare species during peak flowering or fruiting when the
species was most conspicuous. Survey work in the early months of
the field season focused on target species of grasslands and
other low elevation forest settings, while later season work was
directed more to species of wetlands and high elevation habitats.
Surveys were conducted at the reconnaissance survey level outside
of rare plant population sites by walking and driving through as
much target habitat as possible. Effort was concentrated in the
high priority study areas, but not all potential sites were
surveyed. Appendix 1 lists place names of localities visited and
the township, range, and section covered. Figure 3 provides a
visual setting for these same sites.

Figure 2. Helena National Forest

Big Belt & Elkhorn Mountains
Study Area Priorities

1 First Priority

2 Second Priority

3 Third Priority

EZ] National Forest
^] Wilderness
^^ State Land
I I Corporate Land

Ownership within Forest boundary

Scale = 1:500,000

Montana Natural Heritage Program forms for plant species of
special concern were completed for each site a rare plant was
documented ("element occurrence record") , and boundaries mapped
on USGS topographic maps. Information from the survey form is
presented on the element occurrence printouts (Appendix 5) .
ECODATA plots were taken at single sites for three of the species
(attached to printouts; Appendix 5) .

Identifications were made using Vascular Plants of Montana (Dorn
1984) and Flora of the Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock and Cronquist
1973). More difficult determinations were made using comparison
material in either the University of Montana or Montana State
University herbaria. Additionally, knowledgeable botanists were
also asked to identify some specimens. Voucher specimens are
noted in the plant lists at the end of the report (Appendices 6
and 7) and deposited at the University of Montana, with duplicate
materials at Montana State University.

Surveys were conducted 18-22 May, 17, 28 and 29 June, 12, 14-16,
27-30 July, and 1, 3-14, 17, 26-27 August 1992. There were
drought conditions early in the season and it ended early with
August snowfall.

In the following report, "rare plant" will used to refer to
vascular plant taxa that are on either the Region 1 - U.S. Forest
Service lists of sensitive and watch species, or the Montana
Natural Heritage state list of species of concern. The latter
list is larger because it includes taxa which are not known or
suspected to occur on lands administered by U.S. Forest Service.

This report should not be viewed as a definitive evaluation but
as a preliminary study of rare plant distribution and floristic
inventory of the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains. Potential
habitats for sensitive species are to be addressed in the
biological assessment process (Appendix 4) and documented
sensitive species sites are to be addressed in biological
evaluations (Appendix 5) .

RESULTS

OVERVIEW OF PLANTS OF SPECIAL CONCERN
WITHIN THE BIG BELT AND ELKHORN MOUNTAINS STUDY AREA

Ten plant species of state concern have been documented from the
Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains to date, including 17 new records
for six of the species as a result of this project. Results are
summarized in Table 1 on the following page. All ten of the
species occur in the Big Belt Mountains, and the first nine of
the ten are known or presumed to be located on land administered
by the U.S. Forest Service. Only one of the ten species, Cirsium
lonqistylum. is also in the Elkhorn Mountains. A composite map

of all species records in the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains is
presented in Figure 3 .

Table 1. Montana plant species of special concern documented in
Helena National Forest - Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

SPECIES

TOTAL # USFS STATUS
OF RECORDS CURRENT RECOMMENDED

Arenaria kingii

1?

Watch

See
discuss'n

Astragalus convallarius var.
convallarius

1

-

Sensitive

Carex vallicola

1

-

Sensitive

Cirsium longistylum

10

-

See
discuss'n

Claytonia lanceolata var.
f lava

1

Sensitive

Drop for
all NF

Delphinium andersonii

1

Watch

Sensitive

Juncus hallii

2

Sensitive

Sensitive

Lesquerella klausii

21

-

See
discuss'n

Polygonum douglasii ssp.
austinae

5

Sensitive

See
discuss'n

Potentilla diversifolia var.
multisecta

(1)

-

Watch

The raw data on all ten species is presented in Appendix 5, An
expanded body of information has been compiled and assembled on
the six documented species for use in the Helena National Forest
sensitive species program (this section) .

Four species known from the Big Belt Mountains were not
relocated. Two of these species, Carex vallicola and Potentilla
diversifolia var. multisecta should continue to be sought (see
Appendix 5 for element occurrence records and maps with general
locations for these species) . The third species, Claytonia
lanceolata var. f lava, is recommended dropped from the regional
U.S. Forest Service list based on its statewide numbers. The
fourth species, Arenaria kingii, is known from a single specimen
in the Big Belt Mountains which is possibly misidentif ied and
warrants re-annotation. The reasons for questioning the
identification of the specimen include the sepal shape (very

shortly acute vs. sharply acute or acuminate) and sepal nervature
(absent vs. broadly 1-nerved) . In addition, the habitat
description, "Douglas Fir climax", is in marked contrast to its
dry Aqropyron spicatum habitat as it is found elsewhere in
Montana. This specimen is the only Montana collection for this
species outside of Beaverhead County. The task of seeking an
annotation will be pursued by the Montana Natural Heritage
Program with the help of the Montana State University Herbarium.

A refined target list of rare plants on the Helena National
Forest was also developed as a result of 1992 fieldwork (Appendix
4) . Initially a preliminary list of 48 plants of special concern
within the study area (Appendix 2) was compiled from a Forest
Service Biological Evaluation (U.S. Forest Service 1992a) and
information from the Montana Natural Heritage Program database.
After examination of habitats within the study area and
discussion with knowledgeable individuals, several species were
deleted from the list of possibilities because the probabilty of
finding suitable habitat was low (Appendix 3) . The remaining 26
species (Appendix 4) form a more realistic list of plants of
special concern which do occur in the Big Belt and Elkhorn
Mountains or which have a high probability of occurring there.
Appendix 4 also contains the status of these species on a global,
state, and forest level as well as a habitat profile for each
species and a confidence level for both the habitat profile and
the probability of those species being present. For the
suspected species, the ones of highest concern and which should
receive the highest priority for survey, are noted.

A secondary product of the sensitive species survey fieldwork is
the compilation of floras for the Big Belt Mountains with 694
species (Appendix 6) and the Elkhorn Mountains with 382 species
(Appendix 7) .

Figure 3. Helena National Forest

Big Belt & Elkhorn Mountains
Sensitive Plant Sites

1 Arenaria kingii

2 Astragalus convallarius

var. convallarius

3 Carex valllcola

4 Cirsium longistylum

5 Claytonia lanceolata

var. flava
Delphinium andersonii
Juncus hallii

8 Lesquerella klausii

9 Polygonum douglasii

ssp. austinae

10 Potentilla diversifolia

var. multisecta

1 1 Senecio debilis

12 Townsendia spathulata

I , I National Forest
l'.':,::\ Wilderness
^§ State Land
! I Corporate Land

Ownership within Forest boundary

Scale

1:500,000

10

VERIFIED OCCURRENCES OF PLANTS OF SPECIAL CONCERN
INCLUDING HABITAT PROFILES AND SPECIES STATUS

For each of the six species discovered or relocated in the study
area, a modified status report format (Henifin et al . 1981) is
prepared. The text for each species is preceded by a photo or
illustration. Site-specific information for each species is
presented in Appendix 5, including element occurrence records and
locations on 7.5' topographic maps. Site-specific information on
th2 four unrelocated species is also included in Appendix 5.

11

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius

Figure 4. Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius close up
#002 - located above Helena - of 20 June 1992
Note linear reduced leaves, pendent pod, whitish
flower color, broad banner and loose raceme

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
astragalus onnvallarius var. f-onvallarius

I. SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION

1. SCIENTIFIC name: Astragalus r.onvallarius Greene

var. nnnvallarius

2. COMMON name: lesser rushy milkvetch, timber

milkvetch

3. FAMILY: Fabaceae (=Leguminosae; Pea Family)

4. genus: Astragalus is an ^^tremely large genus with

a broad"TI^5^^ geographical and ecological
distribution (Hitchcock and C^^^^^^^^/^'.^i;,,
Rupert Barneby, the l^testmonographer of the
aenus, recognizes 368 species and 184 varieties in
SS America (Barneby 1964). There are also over
1500 adSttionai species in South America and the
Old World (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1961) .

<?PPCTES- Astragalus nonvallarius can be recognized

linear-leaved or leafless (particularly at the
iaSet aScending to erect, elongate stems arising
??om^; bu?!ed r?ot crown; small, loosely racemose
f lowers with petals not much f "--;^^^^,^""^'^
and all very strongly incurved; and linear,
SompJeLeSpods. Within the northwest US., only
A diversifolius resembles A. convallariM| .
larSS^I^^^Titates that "...A. divermfgUM^ ^^
difficult to distinguish from A. £2nxjii||p by
any one consistently ^"^^^^ive differential

sf:rdfd-abort^rs^:tatrs?"-rs\n^exampiroo?r^

^^^^V^^^l^^-''^^ Barneby

fCreii-a;LrL-a!srstrer?Lr^ ^

"!! ne?er?iiless, ^he distinctive -^P^f °f,-\,
features of A. diversifolius, seen in relation to
a Shvsiological adaptation of a mesophytic
LKt^ia?e amply diagnostic." Additionally A.
dtversifoliSs'S^is not'occur in Montana but only
ff^^^I^K^^^rn Idaho, northwestern Utah and
historically in southern Wyoming (Barneby 1964).

13

Barneby (1964) recognizes three varieties of
Astragalus convallarius. Variety convallarius
occurs in Montana in the upper Missouri River
valley near Helena, and south of Lima near the
state line, very close to populations in adjacent
Idaho. This variety ranges from southeastern
Idaho and southwest Wyoming to northeastern
Nevada, Utah, and northwestern Colorado (Barneby
1964) . The other two varieties, f initimus and
scopulorum, are found in extreme southwest Utah
and adjacent Nevada, and on the west slope of the
Colorado Rocky Mountains, respectively (Barneby
1964) .

B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS

1. FEDERAL STATUS

a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: None.

b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: None.

2. STATE: Astragalus convallarius is ranked by the

Montana Natural Heritage Program as G5S2 (Achuff
1991) . This means that the species is secure
globally but imperiled within the state. In
Lesica and Shelly (1991a) , the species is listed
as Sensitive (known from a limited number of
populations in Montana) . None of the above state
rank or status provide any legal protection for A.
convallarius.

C. DESCRIPTION

1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Lesser rushy
milkvetch is an almost leafless and rushlike
taprooted perennial which blends in with
surrounding grass cover (Figure 4) . The stems and
leaves are covered with whitish to grayish or
greenish-grayish hairs. Sometimes the leaflets are
hairless on the upper surface. Stems are usually
few, commonly 4-6, erect or ascending, 5-20 in.
long, and with fine lines or ridges. The first %-
2% in. of the stems are underground; after that
the stems branch with the branches sometimes
again branching. The branches zigzag at the tips.
The small leaf-like structures at the base of the
leaves are of two sorts. The lower ones are
papery, pale or purplish-brown, up to h in- long,
appressed to the stem, and have their edges
united. The upper ones are smaller, leaf-like in
texture, and more or less triangular. They press

14

lightly against the stem, and the leaf edges
barely join at the base. The leaves are ^-AVt in.
long, with 1-5 pairs of leaflets, although these
are often greatly reduced, lacking, or lying along
the leaf stalk. The leaflets are linear, rolled
or rarely flattened, up to Vs in. wide, and <V&-1
in. long. The flowering stalk is erect or
spreading, and l-S^^ in. long, lengthening to 7 in.
in fruit. The 1-25 flowers are scattered along
the stalk. Individual flower stalks are slender,
arched outward, up to Vn in. long in flower, and up
to % in. in fruit. The calyx is Vs-^ in. long, and
covered with black or white hairs. It has more or
less triangular teeth less than Vs in. long, and
becomes papery in fruit. The petals are yellowish-
white, or tinged with dull purple, and even
sometimes bright rose-purple. The petals are
usually not much different in length, and are
about ^2-% in. long. The pod hangs down, and is
directly attached to the stem or sometimes appears
to be on a very short stalk. The pod is linear in
shape, flattened, %-2 in. long, and about Vs in. in
diameter. The pod splits into two halves from
the top down, and the two halves coil outward. The
seeds are brown or olive-green, sometimes with
purple speckles. The seeds are smooth and shiny,
or rough and either dull or shiny. They are about
Va in. long (adapted from Barneby 1964 and
Hitchcock and Cronquist 1961) .

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Slender, wiry, minutely
strigulose, sparsely leafy or almost leafless and
rushlike perennial, with a taproot and
subterranean root-crown, the stems and herbage
with a whitish to grayish or greenish-grayish
pubescence, the leaflets sometimes glabrous above;
stems usually few, (1-) 4-6 (-37) , usually erect or
ascending, (l-)2-5(-7) dm long, subterranean for
about 1-7 cm, thereafter bearing branches or
spurs, the branches sometimes again branched, the
whole becoming flexuous or zigzag distally,
striate throughout; stipules ± dimorphic, those
below papery-scar ious, pallid or purplish-brown,
often several-nerved, (l-)2-7 mm long, amplexicaul
and connate, those above nearly always smaller,
herbaceous, ovate, triangular, or deltoid,
commonly only semiamplexicaul, rarely briefly
united at base; leaves 2-11 cm long, the leaflets
present, greatly reduced, wanting, or decurrent on
the rachis, when present 1-5 pairs, linear,
linear-filiform, or elliptic, commonly involute or
rarely expanded and up to 3 mm wide, 2-25 (-33) mm

15

long; peduncles erect, incurved-ascending, or
divaricate, (l-)3-14 cm long; racemes very loosely
(1-) 3-25-f lowered, the axis (0 . 5-) 2-18 (-23) cm
long in fruit; bracts thinly herbaceous becoming
papery, ovate or lanceolate, 0.5-2.3 mm long,
greenish, pallid, or purple-tinged; pedicels
slender or subfiliform, at anthesis ascending at a
wide angle or arched outward, 1-3.5 mm long, in
fruit straight and ascending or divaricate,
geniculate at base and refracted, or tortuous,
2.2-5 mm long, tardily disjointing with the fruit;
bracteoles 0; calyx 4.2-6 mm long, strigulose with
black or white hairs, the campanulate tube 3,4-4.8
mm long, (2. 2-) 2. 5-3 mm in diameter, rounded or
obliquely turbinate at base, the broadly
subulate, triangular, or deltoid, mostly obtuse
teeth 0.5-1.4 mm long, the whole becoming papery,
persistent and unruptured; petals yellowish-white,
or tinged with dull purple, sometimes bright rose-
purple, all strongly incurved, usually not
strongly graduated; banner 8-11 mm long, the
shortly cuneate claw abruptly expanded into a more
or less ovate to suborbicular shallowly notched or
entire blade 5-8.2 mm wide; wings 8.5-10.5 mm
long, the claws (3-) 3. 5-5. 6 mm, the lunately more
or less oblong to obliquely obovate, obtuse, often
erose, or sometimes subemarginate blades 3.5-7 mm
long, (1.6-)2-3 mm wide; keel 8.1-9.4 mm long, the
claws (3-) 3.2-5.4 mm, the lunately triangular, or
lunately half -circular blades 4.8-6.1 mm long,
2.3-3 mm wide; pod essentially pendulous, sessile
but sometimes appearing very shortly and obscurely
stipitate, the body more or less linear, straight
or nearly so, 1.3-5 cm long, 2.3-4 mm in diameter,
laterally compressed; dehiscence apical and
downward through both sutures, the valves
ultimately separating to the base and coiling
outward, ovules 13-20; seeds brown or olivaceous,
sometimes purple-speckled, smooth and lustrous, or
± pitted or rugulose and then either dull or
shining, 2.5-4.3 mm long (adapted from Barneby
1964 and Hitchcock and Cronquist 1961) .

LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: Astragalus convallarius can
be recognized by a combination of characters:
several sparsely linear-leaflets or leafless
(particularly at the base) , ascending to erect,
elongate stems arising from a buried root crown;
small, loosely racemose flowers with petals not
much different in length and all very strongly
incurved; and linear, compressed pods (Figure 4).
Astragalus convallarius can be difficult to

16

distinguish from A. diversifolius , and according
to Dorn (1984) , these two species are one (A.
diversifolius) . However, Barneby, the monographer
of the North American species of Astragalus
(1964) , recognizes them as two species. According
to Barneby (1954) , in general A. diversifolius has
broader and thinner-textured leaflets, and a
broader and shorter pod. Also A. diversifolius
occurs in more mesophytic habitats, and does not
occur in Montana (Barneby 1964) though it is found
in Idaho close to the Montana border.

At the Helena National Forest site. Astragalus
convallarius var. convallarius was found with
another Astragalus species, A. flexuosus. This
species differs from convallarius in not appearing
rush- or broom-like as it has numerous (15-21) ,
well-developed leaflets.

Although there are three varieties of Astragalus
convallarius, only the var. convallarius is found
in Montana.

D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

Astragalus convallarius
var. convallarius

RANGE: Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius is
a Great Basin species which ranges from
southeastern Idaho east into southwestern Wyoming
and then south to northeastern Nevada, most of
Utah, and northwestern Colorado (Barneby 1964) .
There are two pop-
ulation clusters
in Montana: one in
the upper Missouri
River valley near
Helena (Broadwater
and Lewis & Clark
Counties) at the
northern extent of
species distribution,
and the other south
of Dillon close to
the Idaho border in
Beaverhead County
(Figure 5) .

2. CURRENT SITES: Of the seven known populations in
Montana, only one is from the Helena National
Forest. This site (EOR# 007) between Beaver Creek
and Big Log Gulch in the Helena Ranger District
was discovered during the course of the field

17

surveys for this report. Most sites are on
private land. Population information, including
size, elevation, location, and associated species
can be found in the Element Occurrence Record in
Appendix 5 .

3. UNVERIFIED/ UNDOCUMENTED REPORTS: None.

HABITAT

1. ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: Astragalus convallarius var.

convallarius is found in sagebrush and grassland
communities. In Montana it occurs in fescue
bunchgrass grasslands, such as Festuca scabrella-
Aqropyron spicatum. and Festuca idahoensis-
Aqropyron spicatum. The species is also found in
the Stipa comata-Bouteloua gracilis plant
association. On the Helena National Forest A.
convallarius var. convallarius occurs in a Festuca
scabrella-Aqropyron spicatum plant association
with Stipa viridula, Poa scabrella, and Astragalus
f lexuosus.

2. TOPOGRAPHY: Rangewide Astragalus convallarius var.

convallarius grows on hillsides, bluffs, benches,
and valley floors at elevations between 4150-9000
feet (Barneby 1964) . In Montana the plant has
been found on slopes and rolling uplands with
north or southeast aspects. Elevations at these
sites vary from 3880-4640 feet in the Helena area
to 8100 feet at the site near the Idaho border.

3. SOIL RELATIONSHIPS: Astragalus convallarius var.

convallarius grows in dry sandy, loamy, or clay
soils of various origin and composition,
apparently without preference as to rock
formation, but is found most frequently on
sedimentary formations (Barneby 1964) . In Montana
the species has been found on loamy or silty
soils. The Helena National Forest site was
discovered on silty soil derived from limestone
and calcareous sandstone.

4. REGIONAL CLIMATE: The climate of west-central

Montana can generally be classified as cool, dry,
and continental, with locally greater amounts of
precipitation in the mountains. The Astragalus
convallarius var. convallarius site on the Helena
National Forest is closest to the Holter Dam
weather station although the site is about 15
miles southeast of the station and is slightly
higher in elevation (3960 feet as compared to 3487

18

feet at Holter Dam) . For the period of 1951-1980,
the mean annual precipitation at Holter Dam was
12.02 inches, the mean January temperature was
24.8°F, and the mean July temperature was 69.9°F
(U.S. Department of Commerce 1982.)

POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY AND SPECIATION

1. PHENOLOGY: Astragalus convallarius var.

convallarius flowers in May and June, continuing
through to August under favorable conditions.

2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: Astragalus

convallarius var. convallarius is reported as
being "common and locally abundant" in its range
outside Montana (Barneby 1964) . In Montana
species frequency is recorded as "abundant" or
"locally common" in its Beaverhead County sites
and at least one of its Broadwater County sites.
Small, widely-scatter populations or sub-
populations are documented below the Helena
National Forest Service boundary in the Elkhorn
Mountains, as well as above Helena. The Helena
National Forest population is described as having
less than 10 individuals; however, the population
may be larger as the plant is difficult to see,
the weather was dry, and the search time was
short.

3. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

a. TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Assumed to be sexual.

b. POLLINATION BIOLOGY: Assumed to be insect-

pollinated.

c. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: Although the pod

of Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius
probably splits rapidly from tip to base, the
force of the release is seldom so violent as
to eject the seeds any great distance
(Barneby 1964) . Nothing else is known
concerning the seed dispersal or seed biology
of this taxon.

d. PHYLOGENY AND SPECIATION: Although Barneby

discusses the phylogeny of Astragalus at some
length (see Barneby 1964, pp. 20-31), he does
not provide a comprehensive phylogenetic
system. Also A. convallarius var.
convallarius is not specifically mentioned in
the text.

19

G. POPULATION ECOLOGY

1. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS

a. COMPETITION: In Montana Astragalus

convallarius var. convallarius occurs in
various types of bunchgrass grasslands.
Although most Astragalus species are
intolerant of direct competition with other
herbs, and even more will not grow under the
shade cast by overhanging shrubs or trees
(Barneby 1964) , A. convallarius var.
convallarius may find openings between the
grasses to colonize. Competition by noxious
species is a threat in much of its potential
habitat. Around the South Hills of Helena,
large areas of potential habitat for this
species have been invaded by Linaria
dalmatica, rendering it unsuitable. Its
habitat is also potentially invaded by
Centaurea maculosa. The Helena National
Forest site was in an area which had burned
recently, and had 90% vegetative cover.

b. HERBIVORY: Several species of Astragalus are

known to be poisonous to livestock. The

toxicity of A. convallarius var. convallarius

is unknown. There are no reports of
herbivory .

II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: No known threats

are currently known for the Helena National Forest
population. However possible potential threats could
include overgrazing and mining. Although Astragalus
convallarius var. convallarius might not be a preferred
food plant, extremely heavy grazing might lead to a
decline in the population. Mining in the immediate
area of the site would severely impact the population.

B. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE: Not known.

C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS:

Although Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius on
the Helena National Forest appears at present to be
self-maintaining, any change in management practices in
this area should be carefully evaluated to avoid or
minimize any harmful effects to A. convallarius var,
convallarius.

20

D. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: As Astragalus

convallarius var. convallarius was found for the first
time on the Helena National Forest this year and
represents only the seventh record for Montana, further
searches for this interesting taxon on the Helena
National Forest should be conducted. Also the known
population should be revisited for a longer survey
period and in more favorable climatic conditions, to
assess the true extent of the population.

E. SUMMARY: The populations of Astragalus convallarius var.

convallarius in the Helena area are isolated from the
rest of the variety's range at the northern end of its
range. Variety convallarius is the only variety of
this species found in Montana. There are no known
current threats, but it occupies habitat elsewhere in
the county that has been subject to mining and noxious
weed invasions. The population on the Helena National
Forest was first discovered during the course of this
study. Additional survey work should be conducted at
the low elevations around the Big Belt Mts. to
elucidate the full extent of this population as well as
survey for additional locations.

21

SPECIES OF CONCERN
Cirsium longistylum

Figure 6. Cirsium longistylum close up
#023 of 15 July 1992

Note dilated outer floral bracts with lacerate
margins, cobwebby leaf hairs, long white corollas

22

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Cirsium longistylum

Figure 7. Cirsium longistylum habitat
#023 of 15 July 1992
Note mesic meadow setting and proximity to wet meadow

23

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN

Cirsiiim lonaistylum

I. SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION

1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cirsium lonqistylum Moore &

Frankton

2. COMMON NAME: long-styled thistle

3. FAMILY: Asteraceae (=Compositae; Sunflower Family)

4. GENUS: Cirsium is native to the northern

hemisphere, with possibly up to 200 species, 50 of
which occur in North America (Cronquist 1955) .
Thirteen species are found in Montana, two of
which are introduced (Dorn 1984) .

5. SPECIES: Cirsium lonqistylum is part of a group

described by Cronquist (1955) as being "poorly
understood" and "badly in need of a competent
reyision." Hybridization is known to occur in the
genus, often between seemingly unrelated species
(Cronquist 1955) . Due to variation within some
populations of leaf and inyolucral characters, the
question of hybridization between C, lonqistylum
and possibly C. hookerianum arose (see
Schassberger 1991, p. 26) . Specimens were
collected in 1991 and sent to the late Dr. Arthur
Cronquist of the New York Botanical Garden. After
examining the specimens, Cronquist felt that "C.
lonqistylum was a 'good species', of limited
distribution in Montana", and that "it probably
hybridizes with C. hookerianum and possibly C.
scariosum" (Roe 1992) . Further studies, in
particular isozyme and electrophoretic research,
need to be done to clarify this problem.

Cirsium lonqistylum is distinguished from other
Montana species by its dilated, lacerate-f ringed
tips on the outer inyolucral bracts, although this
character is somewhat variable. However this
character separates it from C. hookerianum (with
long-tapering, arachnoid-villose involucral
bracts) and C. scariosum (with occasional inner
involucral bracts dilated and fringed at the tip) .
Keys to all the Montana species are available in

Dorn (1984) and to all the species in the Pacific
Northwest in Hitchcock and Cronquist (197 3) .

PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS

1. FEDERAL STATUS

a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: This species

is currently placed in Category 2 by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. Department of
Interior 1990) . Category 2 refers to those
taxa for which listing as threatened or
endangered is possibly appropriate, but for
which additional information is needed to
make the decision.

b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Cirsium longistylum was

listed as Watch by the Forest Service, Region
1 (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1988)
because it is common in areas of Lewis &
Clark National Forest. However in 1991 this
species was dropped from consideration due to
a decision to redefine the "Watch category"
and drop all Watch species which actually
occurred on Forest Service lands (Lesica and
Shelly 1991b) . This decision is in apparent
contradiction with its Category 2 status,
signifying Endangered Species Act support but
not mandate for considering it under Section
7 consultations.

It is recommended that genetic work supported
by both federal agencies be conducted to
resolve questions about hybridization and
degree of introgression under both natural
and unnatural disturbance regimes before it
be dropped from consideration or proposed for
listing.

2. STATE: The state of Montana does not afford legal
status to plants. The Montana Natural Heritage
Program (Achuff 1991) ranks the species as S3
("either very rare and local throughout its range,
or found locally, even abundantly at some of its
locations, in a restricted range, or vulnerable to
extinction throughout its range because of other
factors, 21-100 occurrences"). Cirsium
longistylum is listed as Sensitive in the state of
Montana by Lesica and Shelly (1991a) . Neither
the above rank or status provide any legal
protection in the state of Montana.

25

C. DESCRIPTION

GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Cirsium
lonqistylum is a perennial herb from thick, woody
underground steins (Figure 6) . The stems are 20-24
inches tall, ribbed, and lightly covered with
long, cobwebby hairs. The basal rosette leaves
are somewhat spiny, shallowly lobed, green,
hairless above and densely white hairy below. The
stem leaves are gray-green with long white
cobwebby hairs, narrowly spear-shaped, about 10
times as long as wide (up to 6 in. long and % in.
wide), and with lobes up to Va the width. The
smaller upper leaves are only shallowly lobed with
numerous fine marginal spines to h in. long. The
flower heads are about \\ in. high and 1 in. wide,
and usually in a tight cluster at the top % of the
plant. In young plants, the upper part of the
stem may be unexpanded and the flowers clustered
at the top of the stem. The flower heads have a
few small leaves beneath, and the uppermost
resemble the involucral bracts in shape. The
involucre is \ in. high. The outer bracts are
narrowly spear-shaped, less than '/« in. wide at the
base, and have a few glands or a dark blotch.
The tip is slightly wider with a yellowish ragged
margin and has a slender spine less than Ve in.
long. The middle and inner involucral bracts are
progressively narrower and less ragged at the tip.
The flowering head is white. The individual
flowers are Vs in. long with a basal ring of 30-40
tawny hairs % in. long. The anthers are slightly
longer than h. in. The style extends to Ys in.
beyond the flower tube. The seeds are \ in. long
and less than Va in. wide, light brown and
sometimes flecked with purple (Schassberger 1991) .

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Plant perennial by biennial
offsets from stout, woody rhizomes; stems ribbed,
50-60 cm tall, to 1.5 cm thick at base, lightly
arachnoid pubescent with long multicellular hairs;
rosette leaves moderately spiny, margins with
broad, shallow divisions, green and glabrous
above, densely white pubescent beneath; cauline
leaves gray-green, arachnoid pubescent, with
multicellular hairs above, white villous (long
thin hairs with single long terminal cell and 1-
several short basal cells) below, linear-
lanceolate, base not decurrent, about 10 times as
long as wide, to 15 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, lobed
less than or equal to 1/3 the width, smaller upper
leaves essentially entire, lobes ovate, often

26

irregular with numerous fine marginal spines to 5
mm long; heads 3 cm high, 2.5 cm wide, arrangement
variable, usually in a close terminal cluster but
also 1-2 on stem apex and lateral branches, many
floriferous branches to 15 cm long, on terminal
third of main stem; floriferous part of stem may
be unexpanded in young plants with less than or
equal to 5 heads grouped at the stem apex; heads
subtended by a few reduced leaves, the uppermost
about the size of the involucral bracts and
approaching them in form, with gray multicellular
hairs at right angles to the margin; involucre 2
cm high with 5-6 rows of bracts, outer bracts
linear-lanceolate, base 1.5-2 mm wide, weakly
glandular or with a dark blotch, surface glabrous,
apical portion slightly dilated with a yellow
lacerate fringe, tipped by a slender 2 mm spine;
middle bracts similar but progressively less
dilated-lacerate; inner bracts longer, lanceolate,
tip not or only slightly lacerate, the lacerate
margin varies from a conspicuous yellow fringe to
minute irregular serrations and is best seen on
young heads but never consists of fine lateral
spines; flowers white, corolla 20-22 mm long, tube
7-9 mm, lobes 3.5-5.5 mm, pappus 18-19 mm, tawny,
of 30-40 setae, longer setae clavellate; anthers,
including appendages, 7.5-8.5 mm long, free tips
usually incurved; style long-exserted to 1 cm
beyond the corolla, tip to joint of style 3.5-5
mm; achenes 5.5-6.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, light
brown sometimes with purplish flecks (Schassberger
1991) .

3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: Cirsium lonqistylum is

distinguished from other species in the field by
its dilated, lacerate-fringed tips on the outer
involucral bracts, although this character is
somewhat variable. However this character
separates it from C. hookerianum (with long-
tapering, arachnoid-villose involucral bracts) and
C. scariosum (with occasional inner involucral
bracts dilated and fringed at the tip) .

D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

1. RANGE: Cirsium lonqistylum is known from 31

locations in seven counties (Broadwater, Cascade,
Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lewis & Clark, Meagher,
and Wheatland) in central Montana in the Little
Belt, Big Belt, Castle, and Elkhorn Mountains. It
is endemic to Montana. Three of the new records on
the Helena Nation

27

Cirsium longistylum

^^^

*

^

3

^^

Pi
1

Forest represent
new county records
(Figure 8) . Prior
to 1992, its
rangewide
distribution was
considered to be
limited to the
Little Belt and
Castle Mountains
on the Lewis &
Clark National
Forest.

2. CURRENT SITES: Ten of the 31 sites mentioned above

occur in the Helena National Forest, with nine in
the Big Belt Mountains and one in the Elkhorn
Mountains. Only one of these occurrences (Duck
Creek Pass road, EOR# 006) was known previously to
this study. More detailed information for each
site including population features and the
location on a USGS 7.5' topographic map can be
found in Appendix 5.

3. UNVERIFIED/UNDOCUMENTED REPORTS: None known.

HABITAT

1. ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: Cirsium longistylum occurs in
open meadows which are dominated by grasses and
forbs (Figure 7) , but which sometimes include
Potentilla fruticosa, indicating moderately mesic
conditions (Schassberger 1991) . Cirsium
longistylum is found in both relatively pristine
and somewhat disturbed sites (i.e., roadsides,
trails, clearcuts, etc.) In the more natural
sites in the study area, C. longistylum is found
in the Festuca scabrel la-Fes tuca idahoensis plant
association and Deschampsia cespitosa-Danthonia
parrvi habitat type. Other associates in natural
settings include:

Achillea millefolium
Agropyron caninum
Agropyron spicatum
Agrostis scabra
Anemone sp.

Antennaria microphvlla
Arabis drummondii
Aster foliaceus
Astragalus agrestis
Bromus carinatus

28

Bromus ciliatus
Bromus inermis
Campanula rotundifolia
Carex hoodii
Carex petasata
Cerastium arvense
Cirsium hookerianum
Cirsium vulqare
Clematis hirsutissima
Conimitella williamsii
Cynoglossum officinale
Danthonia intermedia
Equisetum arvense
Elymus qlaucus
Eriqeron speciosus
Erysimum repandum
Festuca idahoensis
Fraqaria virginiana
Gaillardia aristata
Galium boreale
Gentianella amarella
Geranium viscosissimum
Geum trif lorum
Heracleum lanatum
Iris missouriensis
Juniperus communis
Lupinus sericeus
Mertensia oblonqifolia
Monarda f istulosa
Oxytropis campestris
Oxytropis sericea
Perideridia qairdneri
Pinus contorta
Potentilla gracilis
Potentilla ovina
Pseudotsuqa menziesii
Rosa woodsii
Senecio sp.
Silene douqlasii
Smilacina stellata
Solidaqo missouriensis
Stipa occidentalis
Stipa richardsonii
Symphoricarpos albus
Taraxacum officinale
Thalictrum sp.
Thlaspi arvense
Trapoqon dubius
Trisetum spicatum
Valeriana edulis

The disturbed sites in the study area which
support C. lonaistvlum are vegetated primarily by
non-native, invasive species including:

Carduus nutans
Phleum pratense
Poa pratensis

TOPOGRAPHY: Cirsium lonaistvlum occurs primarily in
level to gently sloping meadows. Occasionally,
particularly in disturbed site populations, the
species will be on moderately steep, but vegetated
slopes. The species is known from an elevation
range of 4680-8000 feet. The Elkhorn Mountain
site is at 6920 feet on a very gentle, east-facing
slope. Cirsium lonaistvlum sites in the Big Belt
Mountains vary in elevation from 5220-7800 feet,
and grow on all aspects on level to moderately
steep sites in both ridgetop and valley bottom
settings, often in positions along run-off zones
or above palustrine / riparian habitat.

SOIL RELATIONSHIPS: Cirsium lonaistvlum is usually
found on loamy or silty soils which are at least
seasonally moist. Often these soils are gravelly,
particularly in disturbed (i.e., roadside)
populations. It often occurs in settings with
extensive burrowing activity, providing a natural
disturbance habitat for establishment.

REGIONAL CLIMATE: Central Montana has hot, dry
summers and cold, snowy winters. The
precipitation is greatest normally in May and
June, and comes in the form of wet snow and rain
(U.S. Department of Commerce 1982). Precipitation
is generally heavier in the mountains. The
average annual precipitation data from mountain
sites in the Elkhorns (Tizer Basin) and the Big
Belts (Boulder Baldy) are much higher (27.6 inches
and 43.2 inches, respectively) (U.S. Forest
Service 1992b and 1992c) than lower elevation
sites such as Townsend (3833 feet elevation, 11.11
inches), Helena (3784 feet, 11.37 inches), Boulder
State School (4904 feet, 11.12 inches), and Holter
Dam (3487 feet, 12.02 inches) (U.S. Department of
Commerce 1982) . Temperature varies from winter
and summer means of 18.1°F and 67.9°F in Helena,
24.8°F and 69.9°F at Holter Dam, 19.7°F and 66.8°F
in Townsend, and 19.6°F and 65.4°F at Boulder
State School (U.S. Department of Commerce 1982) .
Temperature is not measured at the mountain sites.

F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY AND SPECIATION

1. PHENOLOGY: Flowering begins near the end of June,

peaks in July and extends into August. Flowering
sequence occurs basipetally in C. longistyluin,
with the lowermost flowering heads developing
last. Seeds mature in August and September, and
would appear to be primarily wind dispersed.
Seeds have been germinated successfully without
cold stratification or scarification, and
therefore may germinate in the fall. (Adapted from
Schassberger 1991) .

2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: Most populations of

Cirsium longistylum are quite large (hundreds to
tens of thousands of individuals) . However these
populations are often a mix of C. longistvlum, C.
hooker ianum, and various morphologically
intermediate combinations so the exact number of
individuals of C. longistvlum is not known.

The population in the Elkhorn Mountains was a mix
of both species with only one plant among
approximately one hundred being identifiable as
Cirsium longistvlum.

The populations in the Big Belt Mountains varied
in size from 7 to upwards of 5000 individuals (see
Appendix 5) . Although not noted at every site,
hybridization with Cirsium hookerianum was
probably occurring. The presence of weevils was
noted at two sites (EOR#s 022 and 023) .

3. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

a. TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Cirsium longistvlum is
said to reproduce both asexually by biennial
offsets from a perennial rhizome (Moore and
Frankton 1963), and sexually by seed. No
evidence of rhizomes were found when it was
collected on the Helena National Forest.
Populations contain a range life history
stages, from single whorl rosettes through
larger multiple whorl rosettes to flowering
and fruiting individuals. Whether the
species is a perennial or a strict biennial
is not yet known. Small (single whorl) to
large (multiple whorl) rosettes are observed
in populations as well as flowering plants,
perhaps representing a three growth season to
flowering stage. Demographic monitoring
studies begun in 1990 will help determine

31

the life history of the species (adapted from
Schassberger 1991) .

b. POLLINATION BIOLOGY: Cirsium lonqistylum is

probably primarily insect pollinated.
Bumblebees (Bombus sp.) as well as other bee
genera have been observed to visit the
flowering heads, and may be the main
pollinators. It is not known whether self-
pollination occurs.

c. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: Cirsium

lonqistylum can produce numerous seeds. The
presence of a lengthy, fluffy pappus suggests
that the seeds are wind-dispersed. The seeds
are subject to predation by a non-native
weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus, which was
brought to North America to control the
introduced weed, Carduus nutans (Schassberger
1991) . Studies are continuing on the effect
of the weevil on C. lonqistylum seed
production. In 1992 most seeds appeared to
have aborted (i.e., blackened and not filled
out) . The cause is not known.

d. PHYLOGENY AND SPECIATION: Cirsium lonqistylum

was first recognized as a distinct species by
Moore and Frankton in 1963. They felt that
due to the limited distribution of the
species and the considerable variation in
habit and head arrangement, C. lonqistylum
might be a hybrid (Moore and Frankton 1963) .
However pollen was 95% normal, which does not
support the hybrid thesis but also does not
rule it out (Moore and Frankton 1963) . The
lacerate outer involucral bract character is
unique for thistles in Montana. Moore and
Frankton (1963) stated that this unusual
character might be the result of a hybrid
combination of genes. Although Moore and
Frankton do not explicitly name the parents,
they do mention that C. hookerianum and C.
kelseyi (= C. scariosum according to
Hitchcock and Cronquist, 1973) are most
similar in general appearance and occur in
the same region.

A morphological analysis of 15 populations of
Cirsium lonqistylum gathered from the Little
Belt, Big Belt, and Elkhorn Mountains this
summer is still in progress. Initial
findings indicate that all populations were

32

composed of individuals with characters of C.
lonqistylum^ C. hooker ianum. and perhaps
other species, as well as intermediate forms.
A specimen collected by Lesica (5836,
University of Montana herbarium) is an
example of an intermediate form. However
further evidence will be required to make a
judgement as to whether C. longistylum is a
"good" species suffering from introgression
with a more competitive species, or a product
of hybridization.

G. POPULATION ECOLOGY

1. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS

a. COMPETITION: No research has been conducted.

However field observations indicate that
Cirsium longistylum prefers sites where the
soil has been disturbed, whether naturally by
burrowing animals or unnaturally by machines.
This suggests that C. longistylum favors
areas of bare soil and full sunlight with
little competition.

b. HERBIVORY: As mentioned above, the seeds of

Cirsium longistylum are attacked by a non-
native weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus. This
insect was brought to North America to combat
another introduced pest, Carduus nutans. The
effect of this biological control agent on
Cirsium longistylum is not known. Research
begun to study the impact on seed viability
and population viability is continuing.

Most, if not all, of the Cirsium longistylum
populations are on Forest Service land leased
for cattle grazing. Although this does not
appear to be a serious problem, cattle
occasionally eat young flowering stalks and
centers of rosettes.

II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: The only

verifiable threat to Cirsium longistylum at this time
is its limited distribution to three mountain ranges in
Montana. However most populations have high numbers of
individuals in a variety of size/age classes and appear
to be viable. Thus this threat is somewhat alleviated.
The threat of seed predation and thus reduced seed
production and population viability by the non-native

33

weevil has not been well enough studied to know if this
is a problem. Likewise the effect of grazing is also
not known. Whether C. lonqistylum is a "good" species
or a hybrid poses a fundamental question. If C.
lonqistylum is a true species, it might suffer from
introgression either from C. hookerianum or C.
scariosum. The affect of unnatural disturbance on
introgression warrants investigation if introgression
is documented.

B. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE: Cirsium lonqistylum

has been found along roadsides, in grazed pastures, and
in clearcuts. Although it appears to maintaining its
population numbers with respect to the road maintenance
and grazing, populations seem to diminish gradually
from clearcut areas as the site regenerates.

C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS:

Cirsium lonqistylum is frequently found in disturbed
situations. Even in the natural settings, C.
lonqistylum occurs in areas where burrowing animals
have churned the soil. Thus for its long-term
persistence at a site, it may require be more or less
constant disturbance. The appearance of C. lonqistylum
along roadsides and in clearcuts is therefore not
unusual, but may not contribute to long-term viability.
This is particularly the case with clearcuts where
disturbance happens once and the forest eventually
regenerates. A plant which prefers open, unshaded,
meadow situations, C. lonqistylum probably cannot
tolerate the shading effect produced by tree growth.

D. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Cirsium

lonqistylum is currently designated by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service as a Category 2 species. However
it has no Forest Service status. Although the
possibility of the species being listed as Endangered
or Threatened is remote until genetic studies and
threat assessments are done, populations should at
least be recorded and if possible protected until a
decision is made to list or drop from Category status.

E. SUMMARY: Ten population of Cirsium lonqistylum were

found during the course of this survey, three of which
represented new county records. Nine were discovered
or relocated in the Big Belt Mountains, and a new site,
the most western for the species, was found in the
Elkhorn Mountains. These ten populations represent
approximately one-third of the total known of this
Montana endemic. The majority of the ten represent
populations in disturbances caused by man, but
populations in intact habitat were also documented.

34

Number of individuals is difficult to resolve due to
hybridization problems. Undoubtedly additional
populations will be found in both the Big Belt and
Elkhorn Mountain ranges.

35

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN

Delphiniim andersonii

Figure 9. Delphinium andersonii close up
#004 of 21 May 1993

Note flared sepals, whitish upper petals with blue
unveined tips

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Delphinium andersonii

I. SPECIES INFORMATION

A. CLASSIFICATION

1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Delphinium andersonii Gray

2. COMMON NAME: Anderson's larkspur, desert larkspur

3. FAMILY; Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

4. GENUS: There are about 200 species of Delphinium

worldwide (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1964) , with 79
species recognized in North America (Ewan 1945) .
Nine species are found in Montana (Dorn 1984) , one
of which is non-native.

5. SPECIES: Delphinium andersonii is distinguished

from other species in Montana by its thick,
branching, woody root system; flared sepals;
glabrous, dissected leaves; and whitish upper
petals with blue tips (Dorn 1984).

B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS

1. FEDERAL STATUS

a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: None.

b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Delphinium andersonii is

designated as Watch by the Forest Service.
It was given this status because it was
suspected to occur on Forest Service land,
but had not been found. Now that D.
andersonii has been discovered on the Helena
National Forest, it should be redesignated as
Sensitive.

2. STATE: Delphinium andersonii is categorized as

state Sensitive in Lesica and Shelly (1991a) . The
Montana Natural Heritage Program (Achuff 1991)
ranks the species as G5S1, that is secure globally
but critically imperiled in Montana. None of the
above state categories or ranks provide any legal
protection for Delphinium andersonii.

37

DESCRIPTION

GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Delphinium
andersonii is a perennial herb with a thick, woody
rootstock (Figure 9) . There are several erect
steins up to about 25 in. tall. The steins usually
lack hairs below the flowers, or are sometimes
totally without hairs. The leaves occur mainly at
the base or on the lower Vi of the stem. They are
fleshy, and are more or less withered by flowering
time. The lower leaves are on stalks 1-5 times as
long as the leaf blade. The leaf blade is round
in outline, about 2 in. broad, and divided into
many linear segments. The upper leaves are
generally very much reduced or even absent. The
flowering stalk is unbranched or can have 1-
several reduced branches. The main flowering
branch has 3-15 flowers which are not crowded
along the stem except for the buds at the tip.
The individual flower stalks are 2-4 times as long
as the flower. The sepals are blue, slightly less
than Va in. long, and deeply split. The upper
petals are whitish with blue tips. The fruit is
up to 1 in. long. The seeds are less than Vs in.
long and have noticeable angles with white wings.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Low perennial from an
extensive, thick, branching, woody root; stems 1-
several, erect, 1.5-5(-7) dm tall, slender to
fairly thick and sometimes fistulose, glabrous
below the inflorescence or occasionally throughout
(Figure 9) . Leaves mainly basal or on the lower
third of the stem, the lower ones more or less
withered by anthesis (green at anthesis according
to Ewan) , the upper leaves generally with very
much reduced and bracteate if present; lower
leaves with petioles 1-5 times as long as the
blades, the blades orbicular in outline, mostly 2-
5 (-6) cm broad, somewhat fleshy, usually about 3
times dissected, the ultimate segments linear to
oblong, 1-3 (-4) mm broad, rounded to somewhat
acute and callous at the apex, the primary
divisions of the blades not distinct;
inflorescence simple or with 1-several reduced
lateral racemes, the main raceme usually 3- to 15-
flowered, lax and open, the lower pedicels mostly
2-4 times as long as the calyx; sepals generally
deep clear blue (light blue or somewhat purplish),
ovate-oblong, blunt or rounded, sometimes
apiculate, (9-) 11-15 mm long, spreading rather
than cupulate, spur usually shorter than the

38

sepals; lower petals of the same color as the
sepals, orbicular, rather deeply bifid, h-h the
length of the blade; upper petals whitish and
blue-tipped, deeply to shallowly emarginate;
follicles (12-) 15-25 mm long, erect or very
slightly divaricate, usually glabrous but
occasionally slightly crisp-puberulent; seeds 1.5-
2 . 5 mm long, with prominent white-winged angles
(adapted from Hitchcock and Cronquist 1964, and
Ewan 1945) .

3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: Delphinium andersonii is

usually distinguishable from all other Delphinium
species in the area by its thick, branching, woody
root system; flared sepals; glabrous, dissected
leaves; and whitish upper petals with blue tips
(Dorn 1984) .

D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

1. RANGE: Delphinium andersonii is a characteristic
plant of the desert valleys and ranges of the
Great Basin. It ranges from central and
southeastern Oregon east to central Montana, then
south to Utah, Nevada, and California, east of the
Sierra Nevada (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1964) .

In Montana it is
at the northeastern
extent of its range
in Montana. It is
known from four
localities in three
counties: Carbon,
Jefferson, and
Lewis & Clark
(Figure 10) .

2. CURRENT SITES:

Delphinium andersonii was discovered on the Helena
National Forest north of Hogback Mountain by Peter
Lesica as part of this study. This location is
somewhat distant (ca. 70 miles north) from the
closest known Montana location. More detailed
population information on this species and its
location on a USGS 7.5' topographic map can be
found in Appendix 5.

39

3. UNVERIFIED/UNDOCUMENTED REPORTS: None.

E. HABITAT

1. ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: Delphinium andersonii is

found in sagebrush deserts, juniper woodlands, or
open forests of desert ranges (Hitchcock and
Cronquist 1964) . In Montana it has been
associated with Artemisia arbuscula, Agropyron
spicatum, Pinus f lexilis , Juniperus osteosperma.
Penstemon laricif olius. Allium textile, and
Cryptantha celosioides. At the Helena National
Forest, it was found with Artemisia michauxiana,
Agropyron spicatum. Cymopterus terebinthinus, and
Oenothera caespitosa.

2. TOPOGRAPHY: In Montana Delphinium andersonii grows

on gentle to steep slopes. On the Helena National
Forest site D. andersonii occurs at a midway point
on the southeast-face of a 60-80% slope.

3. SOIL RELATIONSHIPS: Delphinium andersonii is

reported from "loose rich soil" in Jefferson
County, dry sandy soils in Carbon County, and from
loose limestone talus in the Helena National
Forest.

4. REGIONAL CLIMATE: The climate of west-central

Montana can generally be classified as cool, dry,
and continental, with locally greater amounts of
precipitation in the mountains. The closest
weather station to the site is at Holter Dam which
is about 17 miles northwest with an elevation of
3487 feet. The Delphinium andersonii site is at
an elevation of 5000 feet. For the period of
1951-1980, the mean annual precipitation at Holter
Dam was 12.02 inches, the mean January temperature
was 24.8°F, and the mean July temperature was
69.9°F (U.S. Department of Commerce 1982.)

F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY AND SPECIATION

1. PHENOLOGY: Delphinium andersonii flowers from late

April through mid-July. In the Helena National
Forest, the species was collected in flower in
late May.

2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: The Delphinium

andersonii population on the Helena National
Forest is quite large (estimated at 1000-10,000
individuals) . The populations in Carbon County
are small (ca. 50 plants) , and the exact size of

40

the Jefferson County population is not known
although the species is stated to be locally
abundant at the site. Condition of the population
on the Helena National Forest is not known.

3. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

a. TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Presumably reproduces

sexually by seed.

b. POLLINATION BIOLOGY: Insect pollinated, but

exact species unknown.

C. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: Unknown.

d. PHYLOGENY AND SPECIATION: Joseph Ewan, the
last monographer of the genus Delphinium,
placed D. andersonii in the series Spiciform.
However he stated that further anatomical
data might place the species in the
Lignifasciculate series. The Spiciform
series is a primarily North American group
with little if any affinity to Eurasian
species (Ewan 1945) .

In central Idaho Delphinium andersonii
hybridizes with D. qlaucescens where their
ranges overlap (Hitchcock and Cronquist
1964) . Delphinium qlaucescens (a synonym of
D. cflaucum according to Dorn, 1984) occurs in
southwest and south-central Montana (Dorn
1984) , but no reports of hybridization in
Montana are known.

POPULATION ECOLOGY

1. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS

a. COMPETITION: At three of the four Montana

sites. Delphinium andersonii occurs on open
breaklands or talus slopes with moderate to
little vegetative cover. Hitchcock and
Cronquist (1964) note that the species is
found in deserts, woodlands, and open
forests. The above might imply that D.
andersonii does not compete well in shade or
in areas of dense vegetative cover.

b. HERBIVORY: Various species of Delphinium have

been reported as poisonous. Only cattle are
affected, and horses and sheep as has been
reported (Ewan 1945) . Some species are toxic

41

only before flowering, while others are
poisonous throughout their life (Ewan 1945) .
The exact toxicity of D. andersonii is not
known.

ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: In the Helena

National Forest, Delphinium andersonii occurs midway up
a 500 foot, 60-80% talus slope. Although this slope is
along the main road past Refrigerator Canyon, it is
doubtful that any threats to this population currently
exist barring road widening activities or aerial
herbicide broadcast.

B. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE: None.

C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS: As

there are no current or anticipated management
practices which might affect this population in the
near future, this population is probably self-
maintaining.

D. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: As Delphinium

andersonii was just discovered on the Helena National
Forest, this Watch/Sensitive species should be surveyed
in other potential habitat, particularly in the long
gap between this population and the next closest one in
Jefferson County.

E. SUMMARY: Delphinium andersonii was discovered for the

first time on National Forest land in the Helena
National Forest during the course of this rare plant
survey. This Montana peripheral should undergo a
status upgrade from U.S. Forest Service Region 1 Watch
to Sensitive. Little is known concerning the biology,
population structure, and response to management of
this rare species in Montana. Additional surveys
should be conducted to determine the extent of this
species on Forest Service lands, particularly in the
Helena National Forest.

42

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Juncus hallii

Figure 11. Juncus hallii close up
#007 of 6 August 1992

Note few-flowered cymose infloresence app. lateral,
usually not surpassed by bract, light brown perianth

43

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Juncus hallii

Figure 12. Juncus hallii habitat
#007 of 6 August 1992

Note wetland margin setting at based of
Needles

The

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Juncus hallii
SPECIES INFORMATION

A. CLASSIFICATION

1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Juncus hallii Engelm.

2. COMMON NAME: Hall's rush

3. FAMILY: Juncaceae (Rush Family)

4. GENUS: Juncus is a broadly distributed genus with

over 200 species (Hitchcock et al. 1969) . There
are 28 species in Montana (Dorn 1984) .

5. SPECIES: Juncus can be a difficult group as many of

the characteristic structures are minute. Juncus
hallii is distinguished by a combination of
features. It is a perennial rush with densely
clustered, terete stems. The upper leaf blades
are flattened and well developed. The
inflorescence usually appears to be lateral. This
is caused by the lowermost, leaflike, terete
involucral bract which exceeds the flowers and
generally the inflorescence. The few flowers (1-
7) per stem each have a pair of small bracteoles
at the base of the perianth segments. The
perianth is 3-5 mm long, and the capsules are
retuse and the seeds inside are appendaged at both
ends. (Adapted from Hitchcock et al. 1969 and
Dorn 1984) .

B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS

1. FEDERAL STATUS

a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: None.

b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Sensitive.

2. STATE: Juncus hallii was ranked as G4G5S1 by the

Montana Natural Heritage Program (Achuff 1991) .
This means that was considered secure on a global
basis, but critically imperiled within Montana.
Lesica and Shelly (1991a) place the species in the
Sensitive status category which indicates that the
species is known from a limited number of habitats
in Montana or that it occurs primarily in
restricted habitats considered vulnerable to man-

45

caused disturbances. As a result of 1992
fieldwork and status re-evaluation, its status
will be changed to S2 ; imperiled within Montana.
Neither the above rank or status provide any legal
protection for this species within the state of
Montana.

C. DESCRIPTION

1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: A perennial rush

to 16 in. tall with densely clustered, round stems
(Figure 11) . The lower leaves and those at the
plant's base have brown sheaths encircling the
stems. The sheaths lack leaf blades entirely or
have a bristle. The upper leaves have leaf blades
which are up to 6 in. long, rolled and grooved on
the inner surface, and lack partitions. The
flowering stalk appears to have a stem which
usually surpasses the entire stalk. However what
appears to be the stem is actually a rounded,
leaflike bract. The flowers are few (1-7) per
cluster and on short stalks. The petal-like
structures are small (less than h in. long) , light
brown with thin translucent margins, and pointed
at the tip. The outer ones are somewhat larger
than the inner. The fruit is dark brown, about as
long as the flower, and notched on the otherwise
rounded tip. The seeds are minute, with tails at
either end of the spindle-shaped, lightly lined
body.

2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Caespitose perennial 2-3 (-4)

dm tall, stems terete; basal leaves and those on
the lower fifth of the stem bladeless or with a
bristle-like blade, lowest sheaths brownish;
upper leaves with blades to 15 cm long, the blades
terete but channeled on the adaxial surface and
not septate; inflorescence appearing lateral: the
lowest involucral bract terete, leaflike,
appearing to be a continuation of the stem,
exceeding the flowers, but usually not exceeded by
the inflorescence, if exceeded by the
inflorescence, then the inflorescence appearing
terminal; flowers (l-)2-6(-7), closely cymose, but
plainly pedicullate; perianth segments 4-5 mm
long, light brown, membranous-margined, acute, the
outer series slightly longer; stamens 6, the
anthers scarcely 1 mm long, subequal to the
filaments; capsule dark brown, equalling or
slightly exceeding the perianth, distinctly retuse
at the otherwise rounded tip; seeds about 1 mm
long, with an appendage at each end about half as

46

long as the fusiform, finely striate body
(adapted from Hitchcock et al. 1969).

3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: The perennial habit of

Juncus hallii along with its apparently lateral
inflorescence, its few (1-7) flowers per cluster,
well developed upper leaf blades, and retuse
capsules should distinguish it from other Juncus
species in Montana (Figure 11) . It is also
necessary to confirm that its seeds are
appendanged, to distinguish it from J. parrvi.
This usually cannot be done without a dissecting
scope. Only J. nevadensis has been reported to
occur with J. hallii. Juncus nevadensis is
distinguished by its obviously terminal
inflorescence (i.e., far surpassing the leaf
blades and the involucral bracts) , septate leaves,
unnotched capsules, and unappendaged seeds.

D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

1. RANGE: Juncus hallii occurs within the Rocky

Mountains from southwestern Montana to Colorado
(Hitchcock et al. 1969).

In Montana it is
known from nine
localities in
Madison, Meagher,
Powell, and Silver
Bow Counties
(Figure 13) ,
including the
Lincoln District
of the Helena
National Forest.

Juncus hallii

CURRENT SITES: The sites in the Big Belt
Mountains of the Helena National Forest are the
only sites in Meagher County and include the
easternmost locality in the state. More detailed
population information on this species and its
location on a USGS 7.5' topographic map can be
found in Appendix 5.

UNVERIFIED/UNDOCUMENTED REPORTS: None

47

1. ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: Juncus hallii has been

reported from montane to alpine moist grasslands
and sedge meadows. Common associates at the Big
Belt Mountain site were Calamagrostis canadensis,
Carex scopulorum. Carex microptera. and Senecio
foetidus. Other associated species were Phleum
alpinum. Juncus nevadensis. Deschampsia cespitosa.
Carex rostrata . Danthonia intermedia, Agrostis
scabra. Epilobium watsonii, Spiranthes cernua .
Antennaria corymbosa. Aster occidentalis . and
Pedicularis qroenlandica.

2. TOPOGRAPHY: Juncus hallii occurs on flats or

benches on gentle mid to upper slopes with
elevations ranging from 4000-8400 feet. At the
Big Belt Mountain sites, the species was on a
level wetland setting in the Birch Creek headwater
basin below The Needles at 7420 feet elevation
(Figure 12) and in a small sloping wet meadow
above the Birch Creek headwater basin, located on
the lower slopes of a mountain.

3. SOIL RELATIONSHIPS: Only one Montana site has soil

information, and the soil is classified as a silt
loam. Parent material at the Big Belt Mountain
sites was alluvium. At The Needles site Juncus
hallii occurs near a sphagnum bog. In the other
site, it occurs close to a headwaters stream
rivulet.

4. REGIONAL CLIMATE: The climate of west-central

Montana can generally be classified as cool, dry,
and continental, with locally greater amounts of
precipitation in the mountains. The closest
weather station to the Big Belt Mountain
populations of Juncus hallii is about 20 map miles
southwest at Townsend which is much lower in
elevation at 3833 feet. For the period of 1951-
1980, the mean annual precipitation at Townsend
was 11.11 inches, the mean January temperature was
19.7°F, and the mean July temperature was 66.8°F
(U.S. Department of Commerce 1982.)

POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY AND SPECIATION

1. PHENOLOGY: Juncus hallii flowers in July to August
(Hitchcock et al. 1969).

48

2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: There are no exact

population estimates for Juncus hallii in Montana.
At three of the sites the species is cited as
being common, very common, or abundant. Although
J. hallii was reported in 1983 as being common at
the Needles site, in 1992 J. hallii was sparsely-
scattered over less than an acre, only accounting
for about 1% of the graminoid cover. This does
not necessarily represent a decline in the
population. Because the Needles site is a
wetlands complex, the different population
estimates may be the result of being at different
sloughs.

3. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

a. TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Assumed to be sexual.

b. POLLINATION BIOLOGY: Assumed to be wind-

pollinated.

c. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: It is assumed that

the seeds would fall to the ground near the
parent plant.

d. PHYLOGENY AND SPECIATION: Unknown.
G. POPULATION ECOLOGY

1. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS

a. COMPETITION: Juncus hallii grows in sedge

meadows or moist grasslands where the
herbaceous cover is dense. However all of
the sites are open without tree or shrub
cover. Thus although J. hallii may be able
to compete within the dense, yet relatively
short herbaceous layer, it does not tolerate
the shade of taller plants.

b. HERBIVORY: Unknown.

II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: None observed.

B. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE: None known.

C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS:

Juncus hallii is dependent upon mesic conditions such
as those at the Needles site. Any activity which would
alter or destroy the hydrology of this area would have

49

severe repercussions on J. hallii. Livestock grazing,
mining, timber and peat harvesting should not be
/permitted in the wetland complex area. Moderate
levels of non-motorized recreation seem to be
compatible.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: As time did not
allow a truly thorough search of the all the sloughs
within the Needles wetland complex and surrounding
basin, a definitive survey should be conducted.

SUMMARY: Juncus hallii is a Forest Service Sensitive
species known from wetland areas around a basin north
of Mount Edith in the Big Belt Mountains on the Helena
National Forest. State status of tufted rush has been
re-evaluated and changed to changed to S2 ("imperiled"
within Montana) due to its numbers and its restriction
to wetland habitats which are easily altered or
destroyed by humans. The Helena National Forest site
is one of nine within Montana. Currently no threats
are perceived to J. hallii ; however any activity such
as mining, timber or peat harvesting, or livestock
grazing which would degrade the quantity and/or quality
of the hydrologic system on which the species is
dependent, would have a negative effect on J. hallii.
Further surveys of the wetland complex in which the
species occurs need to be conducted.

50

HABITAT

ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: In general Lesquerella

klausii occurs on slopes with little vegetation.
Throughout its range, the species can be found in
forests of Pinus ponderosa and/or Pseudotsuqa
menziesii with associated herbaceous vegetation
dominated by bunchgrasses, including Agropyron
spicatum and Festuca idahoensis. At higher
elevations, L. klausii has occurs with Pinus
f lexilis, Abies lasiocarpa. and Festuca viridula.
(Adapted from Shelly 1988).

Most Lesquerella klausii sites are shale barren
communities which support unusual plant
assemblages not commonly encountered in Montana
(Figure 15) . Several of the higher elevation
sites contain interesting examples of unusual
windblown cushion plant communities (adapted from
Shelly 1988) .

In the Big Belt Mountains of the Helena National
Forest, Lesquerella klausii occurs sparsely
vegetated grasslands or on barren shale slopes.
Other plant species observed in the study area
with L. klausii include:

Achillea millefolium
Acfropyron smithii
Amelanchier alnifolia
Androsace chamaeiasme
Antennaria neqlecta

Apocynum androsaemi folium (Spreading dogbane)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)
Artemisia frigida (Fringed sagewort)
Artemisia michauxiana
Artemisia tridentata (Big sagebrush)
Asclepias sp.
Astragalus gilvif lorus
Astragalus vexillif lexus

Balsamorhiza sagittata (Arrowleaf balsamroot)
Berberis repens (Creeping oregongrape)
Bromus tectorum
Castilleja pallescens
Cerastium arvense

Chrysopsis villosa (Hairy goldenaster)
Chrysothamnus nauseosus (Common rabbit-brush)
Chrysothamnus viscidif lorus (Green rabbit-
brush)
Cirsium longistylum

Cirsium undulatum (Wavyleaf thistle)
Collinsia parvif lora

56

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Lesquerella klausii

Figure 14. Lesquerella klausii close up
#014 of 15 May 1987

Note loose cluster of bright yellow flowers, stems
lying close to ground. Fruiting material needed for
diagnostic ID.

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Lesquerella klausii

Figure 15. Lesquerella Klausii habitat
#014 of 15 May 1987
Note sparsely-vegetated exposed shale surface

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Lesquerella klausii
I. SPECIES INFORMATION

A. CLASSIFICATION

1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lesquerella klausii R, Rollins

2. COMMON NAME: Divide bladderpod, Klaus' bladderpod

3. FAMILY: Brassicaceae (=Crucif erae; Mustard Family)

4. GENUS: The genus Lesquerella consists of

approximately 75 species in North America, with
most of the species being concentrated in Mexico,
the southwestern United States, and the Rocky
Mountain and intermontane basin region of the
western United States (Rollins and Shaw 1973).
Dorn lists only four species of Lesquerella in his
1984 flora of Montana. However at least four
other species have either been newly described or
recently discovered in Montana, including L.
klausii.

5. SPECIES: The earliest collections of Lesquerella

klausii were most often determined as Physaria
qeveri. However Dr. Reed Rollins recognized that
there was a previously undescribed species amongst
these collections. Klaus H. Lackschewitz
discovered the species near Lewis and Clark Pass
in 1977, and the species was named in his honor
(adapted from Shelly 1988) .

B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS

1. FEDERAL STATUS

a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: None.

b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: In 1988 the Forest

Service placed Lesquerella klausii in the
Watch Category (U.S. Department of
Agriculture 1988) . In 1991 this species was
dropped from consideration due to a decision
to drop all Watch species which actually
occurred on Forest Service lands (Lesica and
Shelly 1991b) .

2. STATE: The Montana Natural Heritage Program (Achuff
1991) lists Lesquerella klausii as G3S3, that is
threatened throughout its range both globally and
in Montana. Lesica and Shelly (1991a) place the
species in their Watch List category which
indicates that the species is too common to be
listed as Sensitive, but more information is
needed for certainty. Neither of these state
categories holds any legal protection for the
species.

DESCRIPTION

1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Lesquerella

klausii is a short-lived, taprooted perennial herb
densely covered with microscopic star-like hairs.
The stems are mostly about 4-8 in. tall, and often
lie flat on the ground surface with the flower-
bearing tips curving upward (Figure 14) . The
basal leaves are clustered at the top of the
taproot, egg-shaped to triangular in outline with
slender stalks, and about ^^-i in. long. The stem
leaves are egg-shaped, narrowed at the base, and
about %-% in. long. The plant produces an
abundance of yellow flowers in loose clusters that
are %-lh in. long. The petals are about h inch
long. The rounded fruits are slightly less than h
in. in diameter, and are on S-shaped stalks about
% in. long. The seeds are less than '/a in. long
(adapted from Shelly 1988) .

2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Taprooted perennial, densely

stellate pubescent; trichomes loosely spreading,
primary rays 3-5, forked, ultimate rays
exceptionally long for members of the genus;
caudex simple, only slightly enlarged; radical
leaves petiolate, entire, 1.5-2.5 cm long, blade
obovate to deltate, with slender petioles; cauline
leaves oblanceolate to spatulate, 6-9 mm long;
stems erect to decumbent, slender, 6-10 cm high;
infructescences loose, 1-3 cm long; pedicels
slender, sigmoid, 5-7 mm long; siliques broadly
obovate, slightly bilobed to nearly truncate
above, densely pubescent with spreading trichomes,
ca. 4 mm high, ca. 5 mm wide, valves pubescent on
interior; replum narrowly obovate, obtuse above,
2.5-3 mm long; styles pubescent or glabrous, 3-3.5
mm long; ovules 2 in each locule; funiculi
attached near apex of replum; seeds slightly
longer than broad, wingless, thick, ca. 2 mm long,
ca. 1.8 mm wide; cotyledons accumbent (adapted
from Shelly 1988 and Rollins 1984).

54

3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: Lesguerella klausii is
primarily distinguished by its broadly obovate
(almost spherical but slightly tapered at the
base) fruit which is notched at the tip. Also L.
klausii is restricted to outcrop settings, most
consistently on open chale barrens but also found
on limestone and other parent material. The only
other Lesguerella species found in the Big Belt
Mountains during this study was L. alpina (alpine
bladderpod) . This species is distinguished from
L. klausii in having generally narrow, entire
leaves, generally shorter stems, and less inflated
fruits which are often narrowed and flattened at
the tip. Physaria didymocarpa (common twinpod)
also occurs in the Big Belt Mountains, and is
distinct from L. klausii in having much larger
leaves and flowers, and very large inflated fruits
(adapted from Shelly 1988).

D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

RANGE: Lesguerella klausii
It occurs in
Meagher and
Lewis & Clark
Counties in
western Montana
(Figure 16) . In
addition, one of
the newly
documented
populations
occurrs on both
sides of the
Broadwater-Meagher
county lines.

is endemic to Montana.

2. CURRENT SITES: There are presently 3 4 known sites

for Lesguerella klausii. Twenty-one of these
sites are within the Big Belt Mountains of the
Helena National Forest. Only a few of the
previously known localities were briefly revisited
(however EORs and topographic maps are provided
for all localities in the Big Belt Mountains in
Appendix 5) . Four new sites were found, and more
detailed population and locational information can
be found in Appendix 5.

3. UNVERIFIED/UNDOCUMENTED REPORTS: None known.

55

Cymopterus terebinthinus (Turpentine

cymopterus)
Delphinium bicolor

Erigeron compositus (Cut-leaved daisy)
Eriogonum ovalifolium (Oval-leaved buckwheat)
Festuca ovina

Festuca scabrella (Rough fescue)
Fragaria vesca

Juniperus communis (Common juniper)
Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper)
Koeleria macrantha (Prairie junegrass)
Lesquerella alpina (Alpine bladderpod)
Linum perenne (Blue flax)
Lomatium cous

Lomatium dissectum (Fern-leaved lomatium)
Lupinus sp.
Mentzelia albicaulis (White-stemmed

mentzelia)
Oxytropis campestris

Orvzopsis hymenoides (Indian ricegrass)
Penstemon albertinus (Alberta penstemon)
Penstemon attenuatus (Sulphur penstemon)
Penstemon eriantherus (Fuzzytongue penstemon)
Phacelia hastata (Silverleaf phacelia)
Phacelia linearis (Threadleaf phacelia)
Phlox sp.

Physaria didvmocarpa (Common twinpod)
Poa secunda

Polygonum douglasii ssp. douglasii
Prunus virginiana

Purshia tridentata (Antelope-brush)
Rhus trilobata (Skunk-bush sumac)
Rosa sayi (Prickly rose)
Rosa woods ii
Saxifraga oppositif olia
Senecio canus (Woolly groundsel)
Senecio integerrimus
Sroilacina stellata
Symphoricarpos albus
Townsendia parryi (Parry's townsendia)

2. TOPOGRAPHY: Lesquerella klausii occurs primarily on
steep, south-facing slopes, with portions of some
populations occurring on east, northwest, or west
exposures, or on level sites. The slopes are
gently to moderately sloping, ranging from
approximately 5-45%. Elevation at L. klausii
sites varies from 4000-7680 feet, a broad range
for such a geographically restricted species
(adapted from Shelly 1988) .

57

3. SOIL RELATIONSHIPS: Lesquerella klausii is

primarily restricted to sparsely vegetated
gravelly or rocky slopes often with poor soil
development. The species occurs most consistently
in the Big Belts on loose platy shale, but is also
found on limestone, argillite, and quartz-derived
substrates (adapted from Shelly 1988) .

4. REGIONAL CLIMATE: In general the climate of west-

central Montana is classified as cool, dry, and
continental, with locally greater amounts of
precipitation in the mountains. The two closest
weather stations to populations of Lesquerella
klausii in the Big Belt Mountain are at Holter Dam
and Helena Regional Airport. The Holter Dam
station at an elevation of 3487 feet is about 8
miles northwest from the closest Big Belt Mountain
L. klausii site. For the period of 1951-1980, the
mean annual precipitation at Holter Dam was 12.02
inches, the mean January temperature was 24.8°F,
and the mean July temperature was 69.9°F (U.S.
Department of Commerce 1982.) The Helena Regional
Airport site at an elevation of 3828 feet is about
13 miles southwest from the closest site of L.
klausii in the Big Belt Mountains. For the period
of 1951-1980, the mean annual precipitation at the
Helena Regional Airport was 11.37 inches, the mean
January temperature was 18.1°F, and the mean July
temperature was 67.9°F (U.S. Department of
Commerce 1982) .

F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY AND SPECIATION

1. PHENOLOGY: Lesquerella klausii flowers from early

May to early July, depending upon climatic
conditions and elevation. Peak flowering however
at most sites is in late May and early June. A
few flowering individuals have been observed in
September and October, during warm periods, but
probably this does not result in any substantial
seed set. Fruiting occurs primarily from mid-May
to July, and seems to be very vigorous during peak
periods (adapted from Shelly 1988) .

2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: Populations of

Lesquerella klausii range in size from less than
20 to more than 3000 individuals. Populations may
contain up to nine subpopulations. The average
number of individuals in a population is
approximately 650. At the end of the 1987 field
season, the total number of plants observed was
approximately 17000-18000. (Adapted from Shelly

58

1988) . Over half of the known individuals are in
the Big Belt Mountains of the Helena National
Forest.

For population specifics at all sites of
Lesquerella klausii in the Big Belt Mountains of
the Helena National Forest, refer to Appendix 5.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

a. TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Lesquerella klausii is

probably cross-pollinated as are most species
in the genus (Rollins and Shaw 1973) .
Although self-incompatibility is common in
Lesquerella, self-compatibility is present in
at least some species. During surveys in
1986 and 1987, no evidence of vegetative
reproduction was observed. (Adapted from
Shelly 1988) .

b. POLLINATION BIOLOGY: During 1986 and 1987

field surveys, Lesquerella klausii was
visited by various insects including a member
of the genus Bombus (bumblebee) . Rollins and
Shaw (1973) reported mostly bees and flies
repeatedly visiting the flowers of
Lesquerella. It is unknown however if these
insects are effectual pollinators.

c. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: The fruits of

Lesquerella klausii are papery and dry, and
the seed are wingless. Thus, there does not
appear to be any specific mechanism (such as
animal or wind) for long-distance dispersal.
Probably most seeds fall near the parent
plants, and might be dispersed by
precipitation.

In 1985 and 1986 numerous seedlings were
observed at the Hunters Gulch site (see EOR#
001, Appendix 5) . This area was burned
during the 1984 North Hills fire, and it
appears that this may have invigorated the
population. Seed germination was enhanced,
perhaps due to a reduction in competition
and/or the heat of the fire (adapted from
Shelly 1988) .

Aside from this observational data, little is
known about the seed biology of this species.

d. PHYLOGENY AND SPECIATION: According to Rollins
(1984) Lesquerella klausii "...is not easily
confused with any other species of
Lesquerella. " Rollins (1984) further states
that on the basis of fruit characteristics,
"...the species falls in a borderline between
Lesquerella and Physaria. . . " However L.
klausii "...definitely falls into Lesquerella
rather than Physaria" (Rollins and Shaw,
1973; Rollins, 1984) .

G. POPULATION ECOLOGY

1. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS

a. COMPETITION: Lesquerella klausii occurs most

frequently on open, sparsely vegetated
slopes, often in azonal soils. At about one-
third of the sites, the species has partially
colonized adjacent disturbed areas (usually
steep, unstable roadbanks) . Although the
density of L. klausii is often greater in
these disturbed areas, the majority of the
plants are still found in the adjacent native
habitat. These observations suggest that L.
klausii does not compete well in denser
vegetation, such as bunchgrass communities
and closed forest stands. Noxious weeds and
other exotics are localized threats (adapted
from Shelly 1988) .

b. HERBIVORY: Lesquerella klausii habitat (steep,

unstable, sparsely vegetated slopes) does not
lend itself to livestock grazing. However
grazing has been observed at a few sites
outside of the Big Belt Mountains. This
moderate level of grazing did not seem to
have seriously impacted the populations, but
heavy grazing might lead to a decline in the
size of the populations. Further research is
needed (adapted from Shelly 1988) .

II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: Within the Big
Belt Mountains of the Helena National Forest,
Lesquerella klausii is potentially threatened by
mining, road maintenance and construction and aerial
herbicide application.

Several sites (EOR#s 003, 006, 008, 010, Oil, 012, 016,
017, 025, and 026) may be threatened by future mining

activities. Gold mining has increased in the vicinity
of York. In 1987 two mine claim posts were observed at
the Bull Run Gulch site (EOR# 016) . The preceding
material was obtained from Shelly (1988) . The current
status of the mining threat to these sites is not known
(adapted from Shelly 1988) .

Several populations (EOR#s 003, 006, 007, 008, and 012)
are either adjacent to roads or colonization from
nearby native habitat. Further road maintenance or
future construction might threaten these populations
(adapted from Shelly 1988) .

Noxious weeds are noted as present at several sites,
which call for special attention in the noxious weed
control program of the Helena National Forest. In most
cases, the noxious weeds become established outside of
Lesquerella klausii habitat in more fertile substrate
before invading that habitat, so that preventative
control is to possible.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE: Lesquerella klausii
is tolerant of disturbance, as evidenced by its
ecological preference for more open habitats (steep
shale barrens and rocky slopes) , and its ability to
colonize altered sites such as open roadbanks. Surface
modification of small areas adjacent to larger
populations in natural habitat may not have an adverse
effect on the long-term viability of such sites.
However, large-scale habitat destruction such as that
from mining, could potentially result in the
extirpation of populations. Other types of land use
which might occur in L. klausii habitat such as
moderate livestock grazing, do not seem to impose a
serious threat to the species (adapted from Shelly
1988) .

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS:

Several populations of Lesquerella klausii are within
the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area (EOR#s 013,
014, 018, 032 and 033) or wholly or partially within
the vehicle closure area along its southern boundary
(EOR#s 001, 007, and 015). These populations should be
regarded as protected. However any plans regarding
recreational development (for example, hiking and pack
trails) , should take L. klausii into account, and avoid
or at the least minimize impacts to these sites.
Maintenance of L. klausii in its natural habitat will
enhance the long-term persistence of the species
(adapted from Shelly 1988) .

61

Road maintenance crews and their supervisors should be
notified of the locations of populations occurring
along the roadsides. Detailed maps with locations of
populations should be provided to the road maintenance
staff. This could reduce or eliminate unnecessary
impacts or losses of these sites (adapted from Shelly
1988) .

The potential impacts of mining should be examined
whenever such activities are considered within the
vicinity of Lesguerella klausii sites. Major impacts
should be avoided if possible, and at least mitigated
for, to allow the continued existence of these
populations (adapted from Shelly 1988) .

D. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: The discovery of

Lesguerella klausii some 10 miles further south of
other Big Belt Mountain localities indicates the need
for surveys in this intervening area. Also additional
surveys could be conducted in the Gates of the
Wilderness area to ascertain the full extent of the
species there.

Monitoring plots should be set up in at least three
roadside locations and in three relatively undisturbed
sites to determine effects of disturbance as well as
long-terra population trends.

E. SUMMARY: Lesguerella klausii is a Montana endemic

occurring in Lewis & Clark and Meagher Counties.
Twenty of the currently known 34 populations are in the
Big Belt Mountains within the Helena National Forest,
and all the others are on another diestrict of the
forest. The species is tolerant of moderate
disturbance, and soil texture and the lack of competing
vegetation seem to be the most important factors in
determining the its distribution. Eight populations
are considered to be protected within the Gates of the
Mountains Wilderness Area and the adjacent vehicle
closure area to the south. Thus the species is not
imminently threatened with extinction, but future
threats from mining and road maintenance/construction
could extirpate other populations. A declining trend
in numbers of individuals or populations could lead to
placement of the species as a Forest Service Sensitive
species and/or a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Category species.

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Polyqonumm douglasii ssp. austinae

Figure 17. Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae close up
#005 of 9 August 1992
Typical stature plant; note lens cap for scal(

63

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Polvgonvutun douqlasii ssp. austinae

Figure 18. Polygonum douqlasii ssp. austinae habitat
#007 of 11 August 1992

Positioned on upper slope below crest in exposed
open or semi-open habitat

SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Polyqonuinm douqlasii ssp. austinae
I. SPECIES INFORMATION

A. CLASSIFICATION

1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Polygonum douqlasii Greene ssp.

austinae (Greene) Hickman

2. COMMON NAME: Austin's knotweed

3. FAMILY: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)

4. GENUS: There are about 150 species in the genus

(Hitchcock and Cronquist 1964) , 20 of which occur
in Montana (Dorn 1964) .

5. SPECIES: Polygonum douglasii spp. austinae was

originally described as a full species, P.
austiniae by Greene in 1886. Marcus E. Jones
perceived the species close relationship to P.
douglasii. and placed austinae as a variety of P.
douglasii. Hitchcock and Cronquist in their flora
of the Pacific Northwest (1964, 1973) again
recognized austinae at species rank although they
did state that it was closely related to P.
douglasii. Hickman (1984) , as background work for
revision of Jepson's California flora, placed
austinae as a subspecies of P. douglasii . In the
flora of Montana, Dorn (1984) does not include
austinae, so it is assumed that he includes it
within P. douglasii as he does not list varieties
or subspecies for any species. Material with the .
leaves of P. d. ssp. douglasii and the branching
of P. d. ssp. austinae was collected in the Hunter
Gulch site (B. Heidel #891 MONT) for taxonomic
consideration.

B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS

1. FEDERAL STATUS

a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: None.

b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Sensitive.

(See p. 55; Population ecology/Biological
inter act ions/ Competition)

65

STATE: The Montana Natural Heritage Program listed
this taxon as G4T4S1 (Achuff 1991) . This means
that on a global basis both the species and the
subspecies were apparently secure although they
may be rare at the periphery of their ranges.
However the subspecies was considered critically
imperiled within Montana. Lesica and Shelly
(1991a) place this taxon within the Sensitive
Category, meaning that it is known from a limited
number of populations, has a restricted range,
occurs in threatened habitats, or is sparsely
distributed throughout the state. Based on the
number of new records and their extent, the state
rank assigned by the Montana Natural Heritage
Program will be changed to S2 (see p. 55:
Population Biology/Biological interactions/
Competition) . Neither the rank nor the category
provide any legal protection for the taxon in the
state of Montana.

C. DESCRIPTION

GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Polygonum
douqlasii ssp. austinae is a low-growing, somewhat
scaly annual that is usually 2-4 in. tall, but may
grow up to 8 in. in height (Figure 17) . The
branches arise from the base and are erect to
curving upward. The numerous leaves are jointed
at the base. The lower leaves are more or less
egg-shaped to elliptic in outline, narrowing to a
very short stalk, usually %-% in. long, and \-Vz as
wide. The leaves become gradually smaller up the
stem and non-stalked. The stipules are Vs-ij in.
long and appear torn. The flowers occur in open
clusters of 1-4 in the axils of all but the
lowermost leaves. Each individual flower is on a
very short stalk less than Vs in. long. The five
petal-like parts are less than '/s in. long, joined
for about \ their length, and are greenish with
whitish or pink-tinged margins. The seed-like
fruit is triangular, black, shiny, smooth,
slightly less than '/a in. long, and egg-shaped in
outline but tapered at both ends.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Low-growing more or less
scurfy annual 5-10 (-20) cm tall, branched at the
base, ascending to erect; leaves numerous, jointed
at the base, the lower ones ovate or elliptic to
broadly oblanceolate, usually 5-15 mm long and \-Vz
as broad, narrowed to a very short petiole,
gradually reduced and becoming sessile upward and
transitional to the uppermost small bracts;

66

stipules 3-5 mm long, eventually lacerate; flowers
1-4 in the axils or all but the lowermost leaves,
in slender, open racemes, soon reflexed, the
pedicels 1-2 mm long; perianth 1.75-2.5 mm long,
connate for about h. the length, the segments 5,
greenish with whitish or pink-tinged margins;
stamens 5-8; styles 3, distinct, barely 0 . 5 mm
long; achene triquetrous, black, nearly smooth,
shining, 2-3 mm long, ovate in outline but tapered
to both ends (adapted from Hitchcock and Cronquist
1964) .

3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: Polygonum douqlasii ssp.
austinae (Figure 17) is not morphologically
different from P. douqlasii ssp. douqlasii but no
single character is diagnostic. When possible a
suite of characters should be used to define the
two entities. The lower leaves of ssp. austinae
are the most distinctive characteristic. They are
ovate or elliptic to broadly oblanceolate, usually
5-15 mm long and ^-Va as broad, while the lower
leaves of ssp. douqlasii are linear to narrowly
oblong (sometimes more nearly lanceolate or
oblanceolate) , 1-6 mm long and rarely as much as
1/5 as broad. The basally many-branched form of
ssp. austinae contrasts with the typically single-
stemmed or sparsely-branched form of ssp.
douqlasii. The perianth of ssp. austinae is
slightly shorter (1.5-2.5 mm long) than that of
ssp. douqlasii (3-3.5 mm long). The achenes of
ssp. austinae are smaller (2-2.5 mm long) and
broader (generally less than twice as long as
broad) than those of ssp. douqlasii which are
larger (>2.5 mm long) and narrower (at least twice
as long as broad) .

Dorn (1984) easily separates Polygonum douqlasii
from the other species in the genus by its erect
habit, loose axillary inflorescences, leaves with
jointed bases, and recurved or reflexed pedicels.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

1. RANGE: According to Hitchcock and Cronquist (1964) ,
Polygonum douqlasii ssp. austinae ranges from
central Oregon to northeast California, east
across southern Idaho to south-central Montana and
Wyoming, and is reported for eastern British
Columbia. In Montana it is widely scattered in
the western part of the state, and is known from
eight sites in four counties: Broadwater, Lewis &
Clark, Madison, and Pondera (Fig. 19, next page) .

67

Polygonum douglasii
ssp. austinae

CURRENT SITES: Polygonum douglasii ssp, austinae is
currently known from four sites in the Big Belt
Mountains on the Helena National Forest. More
detailed information on these sites as well as the
exact location for each site on a 7 . 5 ' USGS
topographic map can be found in Appendix 5.

UNVERIFIED/UNDOCUMENTED REPORTS: There is an
historical locality (1945) with a general location
(20 miles east of Townsend in Big Belt Mountains
on road to White Sulphur Springs) which possibly
could be within the Helena National Forest, but
this site could not be relocated.

HABITAT

ASSOCIATED VEGETATION: Throughout its range.
Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae is found on
sparsely-vegetated, mainly dry flats or banks,
from the sagebrush plains into the lower
mountains, often in ponderosa pine forests
(Hitchcock and Cronquist 1964) . Montana sites
consist of barren shale slopes or grasslands,
often in association with ponderosa pine and
bluebunch wheatgrass. At the sites on the Helena
National Forest, the taxon occurs within a
ponderosa pine-bluebunch wheatgrass plant
association. Commonly associated species at these
sites are:

Amelanchier alnifolia
Arenaria nuttallii
Artemisia dracunculus
Artemisia tridentata
Aster laevis
Bromus iaponicus

68

Bromus tectorum

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Carex geyeri

Chaenactis douglasii

Chrysopsis villosa

Cryptantha celosloides

Danthonia unispicata

Erioqonum ovalifolium

Gayophytum decipiens

Lesquerella klausii

Lomatium dissectum

Lomatium triternatum

Mentzelia dispersa

Oryzopsis hymenoides

Penstemon attenuatus

Phacelia hispida

Polygonum douglasii ssp. douglasii

Prunus virginiana

Purshia tridentata

Ribes cereum

Symphoricarpos albus

TOPOGRAPHY: Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae
occurs on flats to steep slopes at elevations
ranging from 4320-6600 feet. On the Helena
National Forest, the plant is found on east,
south, or west-facing slopes of 5-45%. It is
typically restricted to an upper portion of the
exposed slope, though also found in an unvegetated
channel bottom that cut through the outcrop at one
site. Elevation at these sites ranges from 4320-
6220 feet.

SOIL RELATIONSHIPS: In Montana Polygonum douglasii
ssp. austinae grows in silty soils derived from
shale parent material, or at less weathered sites,
in the shale itself. This is particularly true of
these sites in the Helena National Forest.

REGIONAL CLIMATE: The climate of west-central
Montana can generally be classified as cool, dry,
and continental, with locally greater amounts of
precipitation in the mountains. In the Helena
National Forest the northern populations of
Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae are 15-20 miles
southeast of the closest weather station, Holter
Dam. However these populations occur at 4320-6220
feet elevation as compared to the weather station
at 3487 feet. The southern populations are 12-15
miles east-southeast of the closest weather
station at Townsend. These populations occur at
4920-6220 feet elevation as compared to Townsend

69

at 3833 feet. For the period of 1951-1980, at
Townsend the mean annual precipitation was 11.11
inches, the mean January temperature was 19.7°F,
and the mean July temperature was 66.8°F; while at
Holter Dam the mean annual precipitation was 12.02
inches, the mean January temperature was 24.8°F,
and the mean July temperature was 69.9°F (U.S.
Department of Commerce 1982.)

F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY AND SPECIATION

1. PHENOLOGY: Polycfonum douglasii ssp. austinae

flowers June through August (Hitchcock and
Cronquist 1964) .

2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: Population sizes of

annuals are expected to fluctuate, so any point-
in-time observations are to be taken as limited
indication of long-term conditions. Population
sizes outside the Helena National Forest are
reported as "locally common" or as a "large
colony". Populations sizes within the Helena
National Forest range from a low of 6 plants to
over 150 plants observed with possibly more than
1000 individuals total. Three of populations are
in excellent or good condition, with small areas
where it is locally common. One population (6
plants) is barely persisting. For more detailed
information on each site, see Appendix 5.

3. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

a. TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Unknown. The small size
of the flowers suggests selfing.

b. POLLINATION BIOLOGY: Unknown.

c. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: Seeds probably

fall close to the parent plant, and may be
disperse by rainfall or small animal vectors
(cached by insects or small mammals) .

d. PHYLOGENY AND SPECIATION: As stated above.

Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae was
originally described and is sometimes
recognized as a full species. The
relationship between this taxon and P.
douglasii is very close. Perhaps at one time
the two were more distinct, and have been
brought into recent contact by human
disturbance, causing some mingling of their
genes. However it is just as likely that P.

70

douqlasii is a species complex with various
entities such as austinae in the process of
becoming distinct species.

G. POPULATION ECOLOGY

1. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS

a. COMPETITION: In Montana, Polycfonum doucflasii

ssp. austinae (#006) occurs primarily on
shale barrens which are almost devoid of
other vegetation. Its persistence on an
isolated shale mound of less than 15 square
meters under extremely heavy invasion by
Bromus tectorum reflects a competetive
resiliency. Should this pattern repeat, or
its known population numbers significantly
increase, this will warrant its deletion from
the Region 1 - U.S. Forest Service list and
the Montana Natural Heritage Program list.

b. HERBIVORY: The habitat of Polygonum douqlasii

ssp. austinae does not lend itself to
livestock grazing. Livestock trails cross
some of the populations. Invasion of annual
species like Bromus tectorum from surrounding
grassland may be fostered by heavy grazing
(see preceding discussion under Competition) .

II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: In the Helena

National Forest, a population along readouts is
threatened by slope destabilization and future
maintenance and construction activities. Exotic plants
are invading at two other Helena National Forest sites,
and may pose potential dangers from competition. The
degree of mining threats has not been ascertained.

B. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE: One population on the

Helena National Forest is persisting in spite of heavy
grazing and the severe invasion of exotic plants
throughout the small pocket of suitable habitat.

C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS: Road

maintenance crews and their supervisors should be
notified of the location of the population occurring
near the road. A detailed map with the location of the
population should be provided to the road maintenance
staff. This could reduce or eliminate unnecessary
impacts or the loss of this site.

71

Exotic plant invasion of populations should be followed
to ensure that the non-native species do not extirpate
Polygonum douqlasii ssp. austinae at those sites.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Further survey
work should be conducted to learn the full extent of
the taxon in the Big Belt Mountains and to re-evaluate
whether it warrants Sensitive status. It is possible
the its habitat overlap with Lesquerella klausii is
basis for predicting new locations; it was not sought
from but may possibly have major populations in the
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness where Lesquerella
klausii is found. A major shale outcrop area in the
vicinity of Sulphur Bar Creek was not visited, and may
represent the location for the historic site east of
Townsend.

SUMMARY: Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae is a Forest
Service Sensitive plant which usually occurs on barren
shale slopes within the ponderosa pine-bluebunch
wheatgrass plant association at low to moderate
elevation. This subspecies has been, and in some
floras still is, recognized as a species. Although it
is common outside of Montana, there are only seven
sites in three counties in the state, with 4 sites and
an unrelocated historic collection being on the Helena
National Forest in the Big Belt Mountains. Most of
these populations are in good condition. Further
survey work to realize the full extent of this taxon
within the Helena National Forest and to determine
whether it warrants Sensitive status is warranted.
There is possible threat from road maintenance
activities and exotic plant invasion.

DISCUSSION

Six sensitive or special interest species were found in the Big
Belt Mountains and one special interest species in the Elkhorn
Mountains of the Helena National Forest. They represent the
largest global concentration of a Montana endemic species,
Lesquerella klausii. and new county records for five others:
Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius. Delphinium andersonii ,
Cirsium longistylum. Juncus hallii. and Polygonum douglasii ssp.
austinae. The first three of the six occur on the Helena
National Forest and no other Forests of the region.

As a result of this preliminary fieldwork and accompanying data
interpretation, three sets of recommendations are made. They
cover sensitive species designation changes on the Region 1 -
U.S. Forest Service list, management guidelines, and further
study needs. They are presented in the following text under the
three headings.

It is recommended that Helena National Forest convey status
change recommendations to the Region 1 Sensitive Species
Coordinator based on results of 1992 fieldwork. (Note: There is
currently a national moratorium on sensitive species list
changes. )

1) Designate Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius as
sensitive.

2) Change the Delphinium andersonii designation from watch to
sensitive.

3) Treat Cirsium longistylum as sensitive as long as it is
considered a Category 2 taxa. Consult with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and with Lewis and Clark National Forest, the
only other forest where this species occurs. Genetics and
disturbance response research are needed by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to assess whether to drop or list it.

4) Consider a special Helena National Forest designation for
Lesquerella klausii as a unique case if it does not meet regional
criteria for sensitive designation, since its global distribution
is almost entirely restricted to the Forest.

Among the four taxa which were not relocated, recommendations are
made to:

1) Drop Claytonia lanceolata var. f lava from the regional list
based on the number of statewide records.

2) Resolve the question of identification associated with the
Helena National Forest specimen of Arenaria kingii. This work is
to be pursued this winter by the Heritage Program in cooperation

73

with Montana State University to resolve whether or not the sole
Forest specimen is based on a misidentif ication therefore
warranting deletion from the sensitive list for the Helena
National Forest.

3) Review the status of Carex vallicola to determine whether it
warrants designation as sensitive.

4) Add Potentilla diversifolia var. multisecta to the Region 1
list as watch because it was historically known from the vicinity
of Helena National Forest.

It is recommended that Helena National Forest incorporate 1992
field data in sensitive species management guidelines as
described in FSM 2670 and the Helena National Forest Management
Plan:

1) Apply the list of target species in Appendix 4 in the
biological assessment process. Note: Species status in the
biological evaluation process depends on Region 1 designation,
and designation changes are recommended in the preceding text.

2) Apply the information on documented sensitive species sites
in conducting biological evaluations to determine the potential
influence of a project on overall species viability in the
region. None of the work completed to date automatically serves
the purpose of site clearance, but is to be used judiciously in
the biological evaluation process on a case by case basis.

3) Consider an RNA management unit designation for one site of
Lesquerella klausii. This species has its highest worldwide
concentration and numbers on the Helena National Forest. One of
its five largest populations in the Big Belt Mountains, #017, is
on Cabin Gulch, which has been proposed for research natural area
designation. This site was not included in 1992 fieldwork.
Additional work is needed to complete the site inventory and
nomination.

It is recommended that Helena National Forest pursue study of
land areas, habitats and species which need more research to
provide information for the sensitive species program in the Big
Belt and Elkhorn Mountains. Some of these are already protected
within the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area or in the
vehicle closure areas. However other sites are in high use
areas, and might be impacted if not identified for management
consideration.

1) LAND AREAS needing general sensitive species surveys include
much of the second and third priority level areas. In
particular, this includes the Dry Range, the Gates of the

74

Mountain Wilderness, the burned portion of the northern Elkhorn
Mountains, and low elevation prairie around the Big Belt Mts.
The low elevation work dovetails with sensitive species
priorities and is to be conducted in late May or early June
searching for Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius, Carex
vallicola. and Potentilla diversifolia var. itiultisecta.

2) HABITATS needing general sensitive species surveys include
riparian and wetland communities and old growth forest. There
was no survey in the latter because it was not encountered and
background location information was unavailable at the time of
planning. Wetland survey needs dovetail with Juncus hallii
survey needs. Riparian and wetland habitats are integral to
biodiversity at all levels in dry mountain ranges like the Big
Belt and Elkhorn Mountains. Riparian and wetland sites presently
range from good to poor condition relative to their biodiversity
and ecosystem function potential. Many have the potential to
improve by lowering stocking rates or reducing grazing time.

A preliminary list of riparian and wetland areas in the Elkhorn
Mountains which merit further survey and protection consideration
are Hog Hollow, Spring Creek, and Swamp Creek particularly the
Swamp Creek Spring complex. South Fork Lakes including the
uppermost lake, lakes and wetlands above the Tizer basin, Black
Canyon, Bear Gulch and the meadow above it, the marshes along the
South Fork of Crow Creek, and the aspen corridor along Jenkins
Gulch.

A preliminary list of riparian and wetland areas in the Big Belt
Mountains which merit further survey and/or protection
consideration are Boulder Creek, Boulder Lakes, various Gates of
the Mountains watercourses. Dry Creek, and Skidway area wetlands.
Juncus hallii occurs in the Big Belt Mountains in a Birch Creek
headwaters basin with wetland complexes north of Mount Edith.
This area of ponds and surrounding wetlands (including sphagnum
bogs) was not thoroughly surveyed during this study.

Other habitats of botanical interest include the alpine
vegetation on the peaks of the Mount Edith and Boulder Baldy in
the Big Belt Mountains and Elkhorn Mountain. While they cover a
small area, they contribute substantially to Helena National
Forest biodiversity and potentially provide biogeography insights
that help understand the flora as a whole.

3) SENSITIVE SPECIES targets which warrant further survey work
include:

- Low elevation prairie surveys for Astragalus convallarius var.
convallarius, Carex vallicola, and Potentilla diversifolia var.
multisecta in late May or June, as mentioned above.

- Wetland surveys for Juncus hallii in July, as mentioned above.

- Sedimentary rock outcrop surveys for Delphinium andersonii and
Polygonum doucflasii ssp. austinae. The former is to be surveyed
on limestone in late May or early June. The latter is to be
surveyed on shale in July or August. Surface geology maps
indicate that there are shale outcrops west of Sulphur Bar Creek
that may correspond with the original collection of the latter.

- In addition, survey is recommended for the three taxa
identified in Appendix 4 as having highest probabilities of
occurring in the Big Belt or Elkhorn Mountains. These include
Draba densifolia. to be sought in open gravelly montane and
alpine habitat in June, Oxytropis lacfopus var. conjugans, to be
sought in limestone outcrop among sagebrush in June, and Viola
renifolia, to be sought in swampy spruce woods in June.

It is significant to note that none of the ten documented species
of special concern on the Helena National Forest occupy forested
habitats, with the exception of the Arenaria kingii record which
has been called into question. They are not concentrated in any
single area of the Forest, but there are habitat overlaps among
them. Three species are in low elevation prairie, potentially
affected by livestock management: Astragalus convallarius var.
convallarius. Carex vallicola, and Potentilla diversif olia var.
multisecta. Note: Only the latter were relocated. Two species
occupy mid-elevation meadow settings also potentially affected by
livestock management: Cirsium longistylum and Claytonia
lanceolata var. f lava. Three occur on outcrop habitat, with few
direct threats except in cases of roadside management or mining,
but they are subject to the degradation of noxious weed invasion.
They come into close contact in select areas, though not
occupying same slopes or slope segments: Polygonum douglasii ssp.
austinae occurs with Lesquerella klausii at the northern end of
its distribution in the Big Belts, in close proximity to
Delphinium andersonii. The only wetland sensitive species among
the taxa is Juncus hallii, which is affected by surrounding
forested land use practices.

All but one of the documented rare plant records are from the Big
Belt Mountains rather than the Elkhorn Mountains. The numbers
are not definitive but the pattern is clear. Three explanations
are offered to explain the difference. The Elkhorn Mountains
have a more uniform surface geology which includes little of the
sedimentary substrates that support species of special concern in
the Big Belt Mountains. The Elkhorn Mountains have a narrower
range in elevation, with less alpine habitat and little low
elevation prairie habitat that supports species of concern right
outside the Elkhorn Mountains. Finally, the Elkhorn Mountains
cover an area approximately one quarter the size of the Big Belt
Mountains. Two sensitive species not known from the Elkhorn
Mountains are found immediately outside national forest

76

boundaries (Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius and
Townsendia spathulata) , while there are no similar sensitive
species records immediately outside national forest boundaries
surrounding the Big Belt Mountains. The lower floristic
diversity documented in the Elkhorn Mountains is interpreted as
reflecting the lower habitat diversity of the area as well as the
lesser amount of time spent there.

Though the results of our sensitive plant survey and floristic
inventory of the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains are preliminary,
they lay a foundation of sensitive species information for the
Helena National Forest. They contribute to a floristic
biodiversity picture of the Helena National Forest and the state.
Finally, they help set and refine Helena National Forest and
statewide work priorities, protection priorities, and management
standards which address sensitive species.

77

LITERATURE CITED

Achuff, P. L. 1991. Plant Species of Special Concern. Montana
Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 2 0 pp.

Barneby, R. C. 1964. Atlas of North American Astragalus.
Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 13:1-1188.

Cronquist, A. 1955. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Vol. 5, Compositae. University of Washington Press,
Seattle. 343 pp.

Dorn, R. D. 1984. Vascular Plants of Montana. Mountain West
Publishing, Cheyenne, Wyoming. 176 pp.

Ewan, J. 1945. A Synopsis of the North American Species of

Delphinium. Univ. Colorado Studies Series D, vol. 2 (2):55-
244.

Henifin, M.S., L. Morse, J.L. Reveal, B. MacBryde, and J.I.

Lawyer. 1981. Guidelines for the preparation of status
reports on rare or endangered plant species. pp. 261-282
in: Larry Morse, ed. Rare Plant Conservation. New York
Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY.

Hickman, J. C. 1984. Nomenclatural Changes in Persicaria,

Polygonum, and Rumex (Polygonaceae) . Madrono 31:249-252.

Hitchcock, C. L. and A. Cronquist. 1961. Vascular Plants of the
Pacific Northwest. Vol. 3, Saxif ragaceae to Ericaceae.
University of Washington Press, Seattle. 614 pp.

Hitchcock, C. L. and A. Cronquist. 1964. Vascular Plants of the
Pacific Northwest. Vol. 2, Salicaceae to Saxif ragaceae.
University of Washington Press, Seattle. 597 pp.

Hitchcock, C. L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific
Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 730
pp.

Hitchcock, C. L. , A. Cronquist, and M. Ownbey. 1969. Vascular
Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Vol. 1, Vascular
Cryptogams, Gymnosperms, and Monocotyledons. University of
Washington Press, Seattle. 914 pp.

Holdorf, H. and D. Sirucek. 1988. Land System Inventory of the
Helena National Forest. U. S. Department of Agriculture -
Forest Service in conjunction with Soil Conservation
Service. 266 pp. + tables.

Lesica, P. and J. S. Shelly. 1991a. Sensitive, Threatened and
Endangered Vascular Plants of Montana. Montana Natural
Heritage Program Occasional Publication No. 1. Helena. 88
pp.

Lesica, P. and J. S. Shelly. 1991b. Addendum to Sensitive,
Threatened and Endangered Vascular Plants of Montana.
Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 2 pp.

Moore, R. J. and C. Frankton. 1963. Cytotaxonomic notes on some
Cirsium species of the western United States. Canadian
Journal of Botany 41:1553-1567.

Reel, S., L. Schassberger and W. Ruediger. 1989. Caring for our
natural community: Region 1 - threatened, endangered and
sensitive species program. USDA Forest Service, Northern
Region. Missoula, MT.

Reichel, J. D. , E. Atkinson and D. L. Center. 1993. Sensitive
animal species in the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains of the
Helena National Forest. Montana Natural Heritage Program,
Helena, MT.

Roe, L. A. 1992. Taxonomic and Demographic Studies of Cirsium
lonqistylum in the Little Belt Mountains, Montana. Montana
Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 23 pp.

Rollins, R.C. 1984. Studies in the Cruciferae of western North
America II. Contr. Gray Herb. 214: 1-18.

Rollins, R. C. and E. A. Shaw. 1973. The Genus Lesquerella

(Cruciferae) in North America. Harvard University Press,
Cambridge, Massachusetts. 288 pp.

Salwasser, H. 1991. New perspectives for sustaining diversity
in U.S. National Forest ecosystems. Conservation Biology
5:567-569.

Schassberger, L. A. 1991. Report on the Conservation Status of
Cirsium longistylum, a Candidate Threatened Species.
Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 92 pp.

Shelly, J. S. 1988. Status Review of Lesquerella klausii. U.S.
Forest Service - Region 1, Helena and Lewis & Clark National
Forests, Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena.
82 pp.

U. S. Department of Agriculture. 1988. Sensitive Plant Field
Guide, Region 1. U. S. Forest Service, Missoula, Montana.

U. S. Department of Commerce. 1982. Monthly Normals of

Temperature, Precipitation, and Heating and Cooling Degree
Days, 1951-1980. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Climatography of the United States No. 81.
23 pp.

U. S. Department of Interior. 1990. Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants; Review of Plant Taxa for Listing as
Endangered or Threatened Species; Notice of Review. Federal
Register 50 CFR Part 17: 6184-6229.

U. S. Forest Service. 1992a. Biological Evaluation for Permit
Renewal of Eight Allotments. Townsend Ranger District,
Helena National Forest. 13 pp.

U. S. Forest Service. 1992b. Climate Existing Condition - Crow
Creek Landscape Analysis. Townsend Ranger District, Helena
National Forest, Townsend, Montana. 4 pp.

U. S. Forest Service. 1992c. Climate Existing Condition - Belts
Landscape Analysis. Townsend Ranger District, Helena
National Forest, Townsend, Montana. 5 pp.

80

APPENDIX 1

SITES SURVEYED IN THE ELKHORN AND BIG BELT MOUNTAINS
HELENA NATIONAL FOREST

(This list is followed by annotated Helena National Forest maps.
Annotated topo maps available upon request.)

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS

Atlantic Ridge 15 July 1992

Avalanche Creek and Gulch 5 August 1992

TION RIE SECTION 11 SE^sSEisSW^s , N%SW^SW^SE^, NE^sSW^sSE^s ,
W^NE^jSEij, NW^sNE^NE^SEJj, E^^SE^NE^a,
E^^NE^sNE^s
TION RIE SECTION 1 NW^jSWiiSW^s , SW^aNW^jSW^j , E^NW^jSW^a,
NW^NE^sSW^s, SE^SE^NW^, NW^SW^SE^,
E^sNWiiNEJs
TUN RIE SECTION 36 E^SWijSE^^, W^^NE^jSE^s, SW^sSE^NEij,

W^NE^sSE^NE^, EJsNE^NEJj
TUN R2E SECTION 31 NWijNW^
TUN R2E SECTION 30 SE^jSW^
Beaver Creek ?

Benton Gulch 27 August 1992

TION R3E SECTION 6 N^SW*;, SE^jSW^, SW^jSE^s, N^jSE^SE^,

W^sNE^jSE^s
TION R3E SECTION 5 W^SW^NW^s, NW^aNE^SW^iNW^ , SE^iNW^NW^,

SW^sNE^NWi;, N^sNE^NW^s
TUN R3E SECTION 32 W^sSW^sSE^, NE^SWJjSE^, SWijNE^SE^,

NE^NEijSEi;
TUN R3E SECTION 33 N^NW^jSWi;, E^SW^iNWi;, W^jSEJiNWi;,

NW^sNE^iSEiiNW^s, NE^iNWi;, wJ^NW^iNW^jNEii
TUN R3E SECTION 28 W^SW^sSEi;, NE^jSWiiSEi; , SE^iNW^jSEi; ,
SWijNE^sSEii, N^sNE^SE^s, SE^jSE^NE^,
NWijSE^sNE^, NEijSW^sNE^, W^NW^jNE^
TUN R3E SECTION 27 S^SW^iNW^s, N^sNE^jSW^^, S^^SWisNEi;,

NE^sSW^sNE^i, NijSE^aNEii
TUN R3E SECTION 26 S^sNWsNW^;, NE^iNWi; N^sNWijNE^s, N^sNE^NE*;
Big Camas Creek 28-29 July 1992

T9N R4E SECTION 16 SE^sSE^sNW^, NW^SE^iNWij, N^sSW^NW^,

NW^sNWii
T9N R4E SECTION 17 NJ^SE^sNE*;, SJ^NW^iNE^ , N^SE^NW^,
NW^^NWij
Big Log Gulch ?

Bilk Mountain area 5 August 1992

TION R2E SECTION 1 NE^NE^j, E^SE^NE*;, NE^NE^jSE^;
TION R3E SECTION 6 SW^SWijNWHi, NWijNW^SW^;
TUN R3E SECTION 31 SW^sSW^j, W^NW^jSW^, W^SW^iNW^s
TUN R2E SECTION 36 NE^jNE^, NE^sNWJsNE^
TUN R2E SECTION 25 SW^sSE^j, W^^NW^sSE^s, S^NE^jSW^,
S^NW^SWij, SW^NE^
Boulder Lakes 11 August 1992

Boulder Baldy 15 July 1992

81

29 July 1992

SW^sSE^s, SE^aSW^s, NE^jSW^SW^, S^sNW^sSWJs

NWifSE^jNW^s

15 July 1992

Lesica
14 July 1992
27 August 1992
TION R3E SECTION 20 SE^NE^jNW^, W^NE^^NW^
TION R3E SECTION 17 W^^SE^jSW^, E^NW^jSW^s, SE^jSW^NW^,
NW^SW^sNW^, SW^jNW^NWJs

7 SEi;, S^sNE^

8 S^NW3jNW%
5 August 1992

2 5 SWJsNWij, NJ^SEJ^NW^s, S^^NW^NE^,
N^SE^NEij
TION R3E SECTION 30 N^sSW^^NWij, N^sSE^NW^, NW^NW^SW^NE^ ,
N^SWJjNEi;, SE^^NW^NE^s, W^NE^NEi;

19 E^SE^sSE^i, SE3sNEi;SE?s

20 SWijNWijSWJs, E^NWijSW^, NW^NE^SW^,
S^sSE^iNWi;, NEijSE^NW^, NWijNWijSW^NE^ ,
NEijNEi;

Camas Ridge

T9N R4E SECTION
T9N R4E SECTION
T9N R4E SECTION

Camas Lake
Candle Mountain
Carl Creek
Cement Gulch

TION R3E SECTION
TION R3E SECTION
Confederate Gulch

TION R2E SECTION

TION
TION

R3E
R3E

SECTION
SECTION

Dry Creek

Duck Creek Pass and gravel hills

T9N R4E SECTION 31 S^NW^sNEi;,

T9N R4E SECTION 32
Gipsy Lake wetlands
Grass Mountain
Hellgate Gulch

TION RIE SECTION 3

E^SWijNEi;,
NW^SW^aNWi;, W^sSEJiNW^s

10 August

7 August
S^sSE^NEi;

8 August
14 August

7 August
N^NWijSW^,
E^sSWijNWi;,

TUN RIE SECTION 34

Hogback Ridge
Hunter Gulch
Little Camas Creek

T9N R4E SECTION 30

T9N R4E SECTION 29

W^SW^iSWii, SWisNW3sSWi;,
N^NE^sSW^s, S^sSE^iNWi;,
NW^SEisNWa, NE^sNW^
W^SW^sSE^i, W^NWisSEij, SWijNEi;,
SEiiNW^sNE^i

T9N R4E SECTION
T9N R4E SECTION

E^NE^SWij,
S^SE^sNE^s
W^sSW^aNW^,
W^sNWijNEJi ,
W^sNW^sNEJ; ,
N^sSE^SE^

9 August

29 July

27-28 July

NW^NW^SE^, S^sSW^NE^,

1992
1992

1992
1992
1992

1992
1992
1992

NE^SW^jNW^,
NEijNW^NEi;
N^NW^
SE^SW^jSWJj,

N%SE^NW%,

S^sSE^SW^s,

Mount Edith, Edith Lake,
T7N R4E SECTION 2
T8N R4E SECTION 35
T8N R4E SECTION 36

T8N R4E SECTION 25

NW^sSWijSE^s, E^NWijSE^s

and The Needles

E^NE^NE^s

SEijSE^sSE^

NWijSWiiSW^, S35NWi;SW%,

S^sSWijNWii, NW^sSW^NW^,

NEijNW^jNWJs

SE^iSW^SW^s, NW^aSW^jSW^j

6 August 1992

NE^NW^aSW^s,
W^sNW^NWJj,

82

T8N R4E SECTION 26

T8N R4E SECTION 23

T8N R4E SECTION 22

T8N R4E SECTION 15

T8N R4E SECTION 14

T8N R4E SECTION 11

Needham Mountain

North of Mount Baldy

Pike Creek

Porcupine Springs area
T9N R4E SECTION 27
T9N R4E SECTION 28

Slip Gulch

Skidway aspens

Spring Gulch

TION R2E SECTION 15
TION R2E SECTION 16
TION R2E SECTION 9

TION R2E SECTION 10

TION R2E SECTION 4

TION R2E SECTION 3

Thompson Gulch

T9N R4E SECTION 27

T9N R4E SECTION 22

White Gulch

TUN R2E SECTION 36

TION R2E SECTION 1

TION R2E SECTION 11

TION R2E SECTION 14

TION R2E SECTION 15

TION R2E SECTION 16

TION R2E SECTION 17

TION R2E SECTION 20

Ehi^EhsEh, u^h^EhsEh, sw^sse^sne^s,

E^^SW^sNEi}, S^sNW^sNE^s, S^jNE^NW^ ,

NW^sNE^NW^s

E%SWi;SW%, NW^SW^jSW^, WJ^NW^jSW^,

w^sw^aNwij

N^sSE^NE^, NW^aNE^s

E%SWi;SE3s, NW^SE^, S^SE^jNE^

NW^sSW^NW^, E^sNWijNW^

W^sSW^sSW^s, SE^NW^SW^, N^NE^jSW^,

SE^NW%, SWJjNE^sNWJ;

12 August 1992

8 August 1992

?

28 July 1992

E%NWi;SW^, S^sSW^NW^, NW^NW^iNW^

W^NE^sNEij, SE^NE^

o

14 August 1992
27 August 1992

NW^iNE^SWJ;, NWijSWi;, W^SWJjNWi;

E^NE^sNEi;

SW^sSE^SE^, W^SW^SE^, SW^NEijSEi;,

NE^iNEiiSEJ;, NE^jNEi;, S^sNWijNEi;,

N^sSW^jNEi;

NW3sNWi;NWiiSW3s, W^SW^iNW^s

E^sSEi;, E^SWijSEi;, E^NW^jSE^j

SWi;SW3;, S^sNE^jSWi;, SE^sNW?;, NE^SWi;NW,

NW^NWii

28 July 1992

SEijNE^, N^SW^NEJ;, S^^NWisNE^s,

E^NE^sNW^s

W^SW^iSE^s, E^SEifSW^, S^jNEJjSW^,

E%NW^SW^, E%SWi;NWii, E^NW^iNWi;

5 August 1992

E^SW^fSE^i

SW^SE^NEJj, NEi;SWi;NEJs, SW^aNW^NE^,

N^NE^iNW^, SW^jNEiiNWi;, NW^jSE^NW^j

N^SEijSW^s, SW^sSE^SWJ}, S^SW^SWi;

NW^NW^NW^

NEJjNEJs, N^sSW^sNE^s, SEijSE^NW^,

W^NEJjSWii, N^sSW^SW^i

N^SEijSE^, N^SW^SE^s, N^SE^SW^s,

S%SW^SW3>i

S%SE^SE^

N^sNW^NEi;, SE^NE^NW^, N^sSW^NW^

83

Elkhorn Mountains

Aldrich Spring and unnamed spring to SE
T6N RIW SECTION 17 SE^jSE^
T6N RIW SECTION 21 N^NWij
T6N RIW SECTION 16 S^SW^SW^s

Bear Gulch spring and meadow

T6N R2W SECTION 1
T6N R2W SECTION 2

Black Canyon

Bonanza Spring and area
T6N RIW SECTION 19

Crow Creek Falls trail

14 August 1992

26 August 1992
NW^SW^, SW^SW^

T7N RIW SECTION
T7N RIW SECTION
T7N RIW SECTION

SE^sNW^, E^SW^NW^a
NE^SE^, SE^NE^

13 August

14 August
S%NEi;, NW^jNE^, SE^NW^

11 July
sJjNWJsNWi;, NE^sNW^sNWJj
S^sSW^sSW^

N^SE^jSE^s, SE^NW^sSE^s, NW^NW^sSE^j
NE^sNEijSWi;, SE^jNW^, S^NW^sHWi;
E^NE^sNE^NE^s, NEi;NW?sNEii
S^SEijSE^, SE^SWijSEi;

17 June

1992
1992

1992

T7N R2W SECTION 25

T7N R2W SECTION 24
Elkhorn Spring 17 June 1992

Elkhorn Peak ?

Graham Spring ?

Hall Creek trail, including Dewey Creek Spring and Poe and

Manley Parks
T7N R2W SECTION

T7N
T7N

R2W
R2W

SECTION
SECTION

36

T7N R2W SECTION 27

T7N R2W SECTION 28
Hidden Lake
Hog Hollow and spring

T6N RIW SECTION 20

17 August 1992
N^sSWi;, SE^jSW^aNWii, NW^sSE^iNW^;,
SWijNEJsNWif, NW^iNWi;
N^NE^iNEi;, N^^NW^sNE^i

SW^iSW^sSEii, SEiiSE^iSWii, NW^jSE^jSW^,
W^sNE^sSW^s, E^NWijSWi;, NW^aNW^sSWi;,
SWJjNWii

N^sNEijSE^s, S^sSE^iNEJ;, SE^jSW^iNEi;,
NWi;NWi;SE?s, NE^jNE^sSWi; , S^SE^NWij,
NWijSE^NW^s, E^SWi;NW3s, NW^sSW^jNW^
NEJj

1 August 1992

14 August 1992
NW^^NWJ;, N^sSW^^SW^s, W^^SEisSW^,
SWijNE^SW^, E^NW^SWi;, E^SW^aNW*;,
E^^SW^iSWii

Hunters Spring

T6N RIW SECTION 27 NE^jNE^j
Jenkins Gulch

T6N RIW SECTION

T6N RIW

T6N RIW

3 August 1992
26 August 1992

SECTION
SECTION

T6N RIW
Johnny Gulch
Kelly Spring
Norris Gulch

W^sNE^SW^j, E^SW^SW^s
NW^sNW^NWJj

NW^sNEi;, N^sSW^sNE^, E^sSE^iNWi;,
SW^SE^sNW^, NWijNE^SW^, N^^NW^sSW^s
SECTION 7 N^sNE^SE^s, S%NW^SE^, S^NE^sSWi;

17 June 1992
28 June 1992
, White Rock and Piedmont Springs, and vicinity

3 August 1992

84

T6N RIW SECTION
T6N RIW SECTION

Sheps Gulch

South Fork Lakes and
T6N R2W SECTION
T6N R2W SECTION
T6N R2W SECTION

Swamp Creek trail and
T6N R2W SECTION

T6N R2W SECTION

T6N R2W SECTION
Tizer Lakes
Two Sam Spring

T6N R2W SECTION
Upper Slim Sam Creek

T6N RIW SECTION
Weasel Creek
Willard Creek

28 S^NE^SE^s, S^NWijSE^j, H^SVlhSEh ,
SE^sSE^s

33 NE^sNE^NE^s, W^SE^iNE^s, SW^sNE?;,
NWijSW^SWi;

29 June 1992
trail 26 August 1992

13 W%NWi;NW%

14 N^sNE^sNE^, NE^^NW^jNE^j , N^NWijNWJ^
11 SJsSWijSEi;, NE^SE^SW^, SW^NE^SW^,

E^NWiiSW^s, SWijSWi;
springs 4 August 1992

13 SE^iNE^s, N^NW^jSE^s, S^NE^iSW^j,
SE^sNWijSW^, N^^NW^^SW^sSW^s

14 N^sSEijSE^, N%SWi;SE^, N^SE^SW^,
SWi;SW35

2 3 W^^NW^NWi;

1 August 1992
14 August 1992
2 6 NE^iNW^iNEii
and Silver Spring 3 August 1992

29 NE^sNE*;, S^gNW^iNEi;, S^NE^iNWJj

85

I

restrictions are listed
ESTRICTIONS

- Designated road with restrictions.

- Designated trail with restrictions.
I Restrictions boundary.

Fill •^^'^-?s^,

i

%

•1 X^'.it^ y"^'

;::>

^' ■v*-'

■%.^

.^-

4 — t-^^^i

mBom

0--^^ %

/'

/

c

r"

■t<^

%

^lyma^^

'If^^:

°''^.

I ,.o'^'/V

'' //I /( II „ //

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS
Survey Routes

Lj-W'^ U'-vi 'ii^:^ h-^iit\P^.

f

r

\

... f^'

APPENDIX 2

PRELIMINARY LIST OF SENSITIVE PLANTS (USES REGION 1)

AND PLANTS OF SPECIAL CONCERN (MTNHP)

WITHIN THE ELKHORN AND BIG BELT MOUNTAINS

OF THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST

NAME

Adoxa moschatellina
Aqroseris lackschewitzii
Aquileqia brevistyla
Arenaria kinqii
Asplenium trichomanes
Astraqalus convallarius

var. convallarius
Astraqalus molybdenus
Botrychium paradoxum
Carex livida
Carex multicostata
Carex paupercula
Carex vallicola
Castilleja exilis
Cirsium longistylum
Claytonia lanceolata

var. f lava
Cypripedium calceolus

var. parvif lorum
Cypripedium passerinum
Draba densifolia
Drosera linearis
Epipactis qiqantea
Eriqeron f laqellaris
Eriophorum viridicarinatum
Goodyera repens
Juncus hallii
Lesquerella klausii
Mimulus primuloides
Orchis rotundifolia
Oxytropis laqopus

var. conjuqans
Oxytropis podocarpa
Phlox kelseyi

var. missoulensis
Polyqonum douqlasii

ssp. austinae
Potentilla diversifolia

var. multisecta
Ranunculus iovis
Salix serissima
Salix wolf ii var. wolf ii

RANK

STATUS'

SOURCE

G5S1

Sensitive

MTNHP

G3S3

Sensitive

USES

G5S1

Sensitive

MTNHP

G4S1

Sensitive

USES

G5SH

Sensitive

USES

G5T5S2

-

MTNHP

G3S1S2

Sensitive

USFS

GlSl

C2; Sensitive

USES

G5S2

Sensitive

USFS

G5S1

Watch

MTNHP

G5S2

Sensitive

USFS

G5S2

-

MTNHP

G5SH

-

MTNHP

G3QS3

C2

MTNHP

G5TUQS3

C2; Sensitive

MTNHP

G5T3S2S3

Sensitive

USFS

G4G5S2

Sensitive

USFS

G5S2

-

MTNHP

G4S1

Sensitive

USFS

G4S2

Sensitive

USFS

G5S1

-

MTNHP

G5S2

Sensitive

USFS

G5S2S3

Sensitive

MTNHP

G4G5S2

Sensitive

USFS

G3S3

-

MTNHP

G4S1

Sensitive

USFS

G5S2S3

Sensitive

USFS

G4T2S2

-

MTNHP

G4S1

Sensitive

USFS

G4T2QS2

Sensitive

USFS

G4T4S2

Sensitive

USFS

G5T3T4SH

-

MTNHP

G4S1S2

Sensitive

USFS

G4S1

Watch

MTNHP

G4T4S1

Sensitive

USFS

91

Saussurea densa
Saussurea weberi
Saxifraga tempestiva
Scirpus subterminalis
Selaqinella watsonii
Senecio debilis
Sphenopholis obtusata

var . major
Thalictrum alpinum
Townsendia spathulata
Veratrum calif ornicum
Viola renifolia

G3S1

Sensitive

USPS

G3S1

Sensitive

USPS

G2S2

Sensitive

USPS

G4G5S1

Sensitive

USPS

G4G5S3

Sensitive

USPS

G3G4S1

-

MTNHP

G5T5S1

-

MTNHP

G4G5S1

Sensitive

USPS

G3S3

-

MTNHP

G5S1

Sensitive

MTNHP

G5S1

Sensitive

USPS

'C2 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Category 2 (potential for
listing)
Sensitive and Watch - Region 1, U.S. Porest Service

^USPS - Taxa from U.S. Forest Service Biological Evaluation for
Crow Creek area
MTNHP - Montana Natural Heritage Program database, searched by
county and watershed

92

APPENDIX 3

SPECIES DELETED FROM APPENDIX 2

Antennaria pulcherrima - The habitat that this species requires
calcareous fens and carrs is not known from the Elkhorn or
Big Belt Mountains. Also this species is no longer being
tracked by the Montana Natural Heritage Program as the
species is questionable taxonomically .

Arenaria kinqii - The report of this species from the Big Belt
Mountains may be based on a misidentif ied specimen. All
other Montana collections are from Beaverhead County. This
species probably does not occur in either the Big Belt of
Elkhorn Mountains.

Astragalus molybdenus - The habitat that this species occupies
alpine calcareous scree is not available in the Elkhorn or
Big Belt Mountains.

Carex livida - This species occurs only in peatlands,

particularly calcareous ones. As there is little such
habitat in the Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains and some of
that was searched, it is unlikely that this species occurs
in the study area.

Carex paupercula - This species is found in peatlands in the
montane zone. As there is little such habitat in the
Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains and some of that was searched,
it is unlikely that this species occurs in the study area.

Castilleja exilis - This species is known from alkaline meadows
and marshes, primarily at lower elevations. This type of
habitat is not known from the Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains.

Claytonia lanceolata var. f lava - This taxon will be submerged

within another more widespread and common species, and thus
will no longer be of concern.

Cypripedium passerinum - This species grows in peaty soils in the
ecotone between wet mossy coniferous forests and wetlands or
streams. The Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains do not support
this type of habitat, and are outside the known range of
this species.

Drosera linearis - This species requires sphagnum bogs. As there
is little such habitat in the Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains
and some of that was searched, it is unlikely that this
species occurs in the study area.

Eriophorum viridicarinatum - This species is found in Carex

dominated peatlands and cold sphagnum bogs in the foothill

93

and montane zones. As there is little such habitat in the
Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains and some of that was searched,
it is unlikely that this species occurs in the study area.

Mimulus primuloides - This species grows around seeps and in

peatlands in open wet meadows in the montane to subalpine
zone. As there is little such habitat in the Elkhorn or Big
Belt Mountains and some of that was searched, it is unlikely
that this species occurs in the study area.

Orchis rotundifolia - This species occurs on organic soils with
good drainage, often on limestone, in wet mossy coniferous
forest edges near peatlands and streams. This habitat type
is unknown from the Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains.

Oxytropis podocarpa - This species grows on alpine limestone
habitat, which is absent or scarce in the study area.

Ranunculus jovis - This species is found in sagebrush or open
areas in spruce-fir parklands in the alpine zone. The
Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains do contain this type of
habitat, and are outside the known range of this species.

Sausserea densa - This species grows on open calcareous talus and
loose scree in the alpine zone. This type of habitat is not
known from the Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains which are
outside the known range of this species.

Sausserea weberi - This species is found in moist meadows and

gentle sparsely vegetated slopes in the alpine zone. This

type of habitat is not known from the Elkhorn or Big Belt
Mountains.

Saxifraga tempestiva - This species occurs on vernally moist open
soil in meadows, rock edges and depressions which retain
snow in the krummholz and alpine zones. There is not
habitat of this sort in the Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains.

Scirpus subterminalis - This species requires quiet fresh water
of shallow lakes and ponds in the valley, foothills, and
montane zone. As there is little of this habitat in the
Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains, there is only a remote
chance of this species occurring there.

Selaqinella watsonii - This species occupies sheltered outcrop

microhabitats at high alpine elevations. There is little of
this habitat in the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains.

Senecio debilis - This species grows in moist alkaline meadows in
the valley and foothills zone. Habitat of the type is not
known from the Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains.

94

Thalictrum alpinum - This species occurs on hummocks in moist

alkaline meadows in the montane zone. This type of habitat
is not known from the Elkhorn or Big Belt Mountains.

95

APPENDIX 4

REVISED LIST OF TARGETED SENSITIVE PLANTS (USES REGION 1)

AND PLANTS OF SPECIAL CONCERN (MTNHP)

WITHIN THE ELKHORN AND BIG BELT MOUNTAINS

OF THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST

SPECIES MTNHP USPS USFWS

Adoxa moschatellina G5S1 Sensitive

This species possibly occurs in the Elkhorn Mountains in
moist, mossy places (such as slopes) in woods and rock
crevices at elevations of 4400-5400'. Flowering and
fruiting run from June through August. The confidence
level' of the species occurrence and the habitat profile are
low.

Aqroseris lackschewitzii G3S3 Sensitive

This species could occur in the Elkhorn and Big Belt
Mountains in moist-wet meadows or subalpine wet meadows
where the soil is saturated throughout growing season. The
species has been collected at 6150-9500' elevation. It
flowers from July to early August, and fruits in late
August. The confidence level of the habitat profile is
high, and that of the species occurrence is low.

Aquileqia brevistyla G5S1 Sensitive

This species might grow in the Big Belt Mountains in open
woods and streambanks at mid-elevations (5000-6000') in the
mountains. Flowering begins in June and wanes in early
July. The confidence level of the habitat profile is high,
and that of the species occurrence is medium.

'The confidence level of the species occurrence and the
habitat profile refer to the probability either that the species
might occur in the area or that the habitat profile includes all
habitat types which the species occupies. The rankings are low
(unlikely that the species occurs in the area or that the habitat
profile includes all habitat types which the species occupies) ,
medium (a 50/50 chance that the species occurs in the area or
that the habitat profile includes all habitat types which the
species occupies) , or high (highly likely that the species occurs
in the area or that the habitat profile includes all habitat
types which the species occupies) . Information for the rankings
was drawn from knowledgeable individuals, the Montana Natural
Heritage Program database, and the literature.

96

Asplenium trichomanes G5SH Sensitive

Not collected in Montana since 1895, this species might be
found in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area on moist
sites on cliffs and crevices in rocky talus at mid-elevation
in the mountains. The fronds mature in July. The
confidence level of the habitat profile is medium, and that
of the species occurrence is low.

Astragalus convallarius G5T5S2
var . convallarius

This species was collected in the northern part of the Big
Belt Mountains during the course of this study, and was also
found just outside the Helena National Forest boundary of
the Elkhorn Mountains. While it may possibly extend into
the Elkhorn Mountains, the most promising potential habitat
is at lower elevations outside of administrative boundaries.
It occurs in grasslands and sagebrush in the valleys and
foothills at elevations of 3880 to 4400' in the Helena
National Forest vicinity and at 8100' in Beaverhead County.
Flowering begins in May to early June depending on
elevation.

Botrychium paradoxum GlSl Sensitive C2

This species could possibly be found in the Elkhorn and Big
Belt Mountains in grasslands and meadows (moist shrubby ones
often near lakes) in the foothills and montane zones at
4000-8200' elevation. The fronds mature in July. The
confidence level of the habitat profile and of the species
occurrence is low.

Carex multicostata G5S1 Watch

This species possibly occurs in the Elkhorn and Big Belt
Mountains in meadows, woods, and on open slopes. It is
found at moderate elevations, but occasionally ascends above
timberline (6000-11000' elevation) . Flowering and fruiting
are in July. The confidence level of the habitat profile
and of the species occurrence is medium.

Carex vallicola G5S2

This species has been collected once in the Big Belt
Mountains, without precise locality information, and might
possibly occur in the Elkhorn Mountains. It grows on moist
or moderately dry slopes from the foothills to moderate
elevations (5760-7080') in mountains, often with sagebrush
or aspen. Flowering is in June, and fruiting is in late
June through August. The confidence level of the habitat
profile is medium and the species occurrence has previously
been documented on the Helena National Forest.

Cirsium longistylum G3QS3

This species was collected during this study in both the
Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains. It is known from meadows,
slopes, and roadsides at moderate elevations (4680-8040') in
the mountains. Flowering begins in late June and can
continue to frost. Seed development starts in late August.

Cypripedium calceolus G5T3S3 Sensitive

var. parvif lorum

This species might possibly be found in the Big Belt and
Elkhorn Mountains on organic soils in moist coniferous
forests in seepage areas and moist ecotones between
peatlands and upland forest at elevations of 3000-6200'.
Flowering occurs in May to June. A historic occurrence
north of Belgrade has never been relocated. The confidence
level of the habitat profile is high and that of the species
occurrence is low.

Delphinium andersonii G5S1 Watch

This species was collected for the first time in the Big
Belt Mountains during the course of this study. Previously
it was known from sagebrush valleys and hills in open
forests at around 4120' elevation, but in the Big Belt
Mountains, the species was found on a talus slope at around
5000'. It flowers during May and June. The habitat profile
may need more refinement.

Draba densifolia G5S2

This species might possibly occur in the Elkhorn and Big
Belt Mountains. It is found in open gravelly soil of rocky
slopes and exposed ridges in the montane to alpine zones at
elevations of 5600-8800'. Flowering occurs May through June
depending on elevation. The confidence level of the habitat
profile and of the species occurrence is high.

Epipactis qigantea G4S2 Sensitive

This species could occur in the Big Belt and Elkhorn
Mountains on stable intact groundwater discharge zones
located along streambanks, lake margins, edges of peatlands,
and around springs and seepage areas, often near thermal
waters at elevations of 2900-5800'. Flowering occurs June
through August, The confidence level of the habitat profile
is high and of the species occurrence is low.

Eriqeron f laqellaris G5S1

This species might be found in the Big Belt Mountains on
open soil in meadows and open forests in montane zone at
around 5000' elevation. Flowering occurs in late June
through August. The confidence level of the habitat profile
and of the species occurrence is low.

98

Goodvera repens G5S2S3 Sensitive

This species might possibly occur in the Big Belt Mountains
on moist limestone slopes of old growth Doug fir forests in
the montane zone at elevations of 5700-6100'. The species
begins flowering in late July to August. The confidence
level of the habitat profile is high and that of the species
occurrence is medium.

Juncus hallii G4G5S2 Sensitive

The species was relocated in the Big Belt Mountains during
the course of this study. It might also be found in the
Elkhorn Mountains in montane to alpine moist grasslands and
sedge meadows at 4000-8400' elevation. Flowering occurs
during July to August. The species habitat profile may need
more refinement.

Lesquerella klausii G3S3

Most individuals and populations of this Montana endemic are
found within the Big Belt Mountains. The species occurs on
open shale slopes and gravelly areas at moderately to fairly
high elevations (4000-7100') in the mountains. It flowers
from May to early June, with fruiting beginning in late May
and continuing through June.

Oxytropis laqopus G4T3S3

var. coniuqans

This Montana endemic probably occurs in the Big Belt
Mountains on limestone outcrops in sagebrush areas to the
lower mountains at elevations of 3900-6120'. Flowering
occurs May to June, and fruiting happens during July. The
confidence level of the habitat profile and of the species
occurrence is high.

Phlox kelseyi G4T2QS2 Sensitive 3C

var. missoulensis

This taxon usually occurs on gravelly windswept ridges and
slopes, although sometimes it grows in forb dominated
meadows. It is found at elevations of 3600-7540', and could
occur in the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains. Flowering
lasts from May to June. The confidence level of the habitat
profile is high while that of the species occurrence is
medium.

Polygonum doucflasii G4T4S2 Sensitive

ssp. austinae

This taxon was found at several sites in the Big Belt
Mountains during the course of this study. It occurs on
open, gravelly, often shale-derived soil of eroding slopes
and banks in montane zone, or on usually moist barren shale
slopes at 5140-6600' elevation. It flowers in July, and
fruit matures in August.

99

Potentilla diversifolia G5T3T4SH
var . multisecta

This taxon was collected from an area within the general
vicinity of the southern Big Belt Mountains along Rocky
Canyon, "_ miles north of Belgrade" but has not been seen in
Montana for almost 90 years. The area of the original
collection corresponds with private property within the
boundaries of lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
It is reported from dry rocky slopes and ridges in the
subalpine and alpine zones at 7000-9000' elevation.
Flowering occurs in late May through June. The habitat
profile may need more refinement.

Salix serissima G4S1 Watch

This willow grows in low elevation fen habitat including a
site ca. 10 miles east of the Big Belt Mountains near White
Sulphur Springs. It might possibly be found in the Big Belt
Mountains in swamps and fens in the valleys and foothills at
elevations of 4500-5300', though no habitat resembling the
White Sulphur Springs setting was found. It flowers in
June, and the fruit matures in July through September. The
confidence level of the habitat is high and of the species
occurrence is low.

Salix wolf ii var. wolf ii G4T4S1 Sensitive

This willow might occur in the Elkhorn Mountains in rocky
clay-loam soils in wet meadows, or more often in riparian
areas in the montane to subalpine zones at elevations of
6500-9000'. Fruit matures in July to August. The
confidence level of the habitat profile is medium while that
of the species occurrence is low.

Sphenopholis obtusata G5T5S1
var. major

This grass has not been collected in Montana since 1949, but
might occur in the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains in
grasslands in the valleys and on the plains at 3000-5000'
elevation. The fruit matures in July and August. The
confidence level of the habitat and of the species
occurrence is low.

Townsendia spathulata G3S3 - 3C

This species occurs on low elevation limestone ridges at the
eastern edge of the Elkhorn Mountains in the Limestone Hills
on land administered by BLM. It might possibly be found
elsewhere in the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountains on open
rocky limestone-derived soils of slopes and windswept
ridgetops in the valley and foothill zones at elevations of
4500-6400'. Flowering occurs in May to early June. The
confidence level of the habitat profile is high while that
of the species occurrence is medium.

100

Veratrum californicum G5S1 Sensitive

This species might occur in the Elkhorn Mountains in wet
meadows and along streambanks in the montane and subalpine
zones at 6000-8500' elevation. It flowers during July and
August. The confidence level of the habitat profile is
medium while that of the species occurrence is low.

Viola renifolia G5S1 Sensitive

This violet might possibly occur in the Elkhorn Mountains in
organic soils in swampy spruce woods in the montane zone at
elevations of 3000-5000'. It flowers from June to early
July. The confidence level of the habitat profile and of
the species occurrence (Swamp Creek Springs) is high.

101

APPENDIX 5

ELEMENT OCCURRENCE RECORDS, MAPS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS

OF SPECIES OF CONCERN OCCURRING

IN THE ELKHORN AND BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, HELENA NATIONAL FOREST

102

ARENARIA KINGII * 001
KING'S ARENARIA

Global rank: G4
State rank: SI

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

SENSITIVE

Survey site name: DEEP CREEK CANYON

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: SULPHUR BAR CREEK

Township: Range:
007N 005E

Section:
19

TRS comments:
SE4

Survey date: 1948-06-06
First observation: 1948
Last observation: 1948-06-06

Elevation: 5200
Slope/aspect:
Size (acres) : 0

Location:

18 MILES EAST OF TOWNSEND, HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, DEEP
CREEK CANYON.

Element occurrence data:
UNKNOWN .

General site description:
DOUGLAS FIR CLIMAX.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

SPECIMEN ANNOTATED BY DORN. SPECIMEN LACKED NARROW SEPALS
AND PRONOUNCED MIDRIB OF OTHER MONTANA MATERIAL. THERE IS
ALSO A MAJOR HABITAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND OTHER
MONTANA SITES.

Information source:

MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM BOTANIST. MTNHP.
SIXTH AVENUE, HELENA, MT 59620.

1515 EAST

Specimens:

METCALF, H. (S.N.) . 194!

SPECIMEN #38791. MONT.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Arenaria kingii #001
Suphur Bar Creek Quad

ASTRAGALUS CONVALLARIUS VAR CONVALLARIUS * 007
LESSER RUSHY MILKVETCH

Global rank: G5T5
State rank: S2

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

Survey site name: BIG LOG GULCH

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: UPPER HOLTER LAKE

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

012N 002W 17 NW4SE4

Survey date:
First observation: 1992-05-20
Last observation: 1992-05-20

Elevation: 3960
Slope/aspect: 2% / SOUTHEAST
Size (acres) : 1

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, CA. 2.1 AIR MILES NORTH OF THE NORTH END
OF HAUSER DAM; FROM NELSON GO WEST CA. 4 MILES AND PARK
ONE-THIRD MILE EAST OF JUNCTION, HIKE NORTH TO SADDLE
BETWEEEN BIG LOG GULCH AND BEAVER CREEK.

Element occurrence data:

LESS THAN 10 PLANTS; IN FLOWER AND BUD. POPULATION MAY BE
LARGER THAN OBSERVED DUE TO DROUGHT AND DIFFICULTY IN
OBSERVING PARTICULARLY WHEN NOT IN FLOWER.

General site description:

MESIC GRASSLAND ON ROLLING UPLANDS DOMINATED BY FESTUCA
SCABRELLA, STIPA VIRIDULA, AGROPYRON SMITHII, AND POA
SCABRELLA; SILTY SOIL; PARENT MATERIAL-LIMESTONE/CALCAREOUS
SANDSTONE; RECENT FIRE BURNED TREES IN AREA. WITH ASTRAGALUS
FLEXUOSUS. OPEN EXPOSURE, TOPOGRAPHIC POSITION - ON SADDLE.
TOTAL SHRUB COVER 0%; TOTAL FORB COVER 10%; TOTAL GRAMINOID
COVER 80%; TOTAL BARE GROUND COVER 10%.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST,

HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

RECENT FIRE.

Information source:

LESICA, P. DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIV. OF
MONTANA, MISSOULA, MT 59812.

Specimens:

LESICA, P. (5643). 1992. MONTU.

Element Occurrence Record

Plinr <;DCci'"; of So^cial Conco

Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius #007
Upper Ho Iter Lake Quad

CAREX VALLICOLA * 001
A SEDGE

Global rank: G5 Forest Service status:
State rank: S2 Federal Status:

Survey site name: OREGON GULCH

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: CANYON FERRY

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
OllN OOIW 12 E2

Survey date: Elevation: 6150

First observation: 1985 Slope/aspect: 10% / WEST

Last observation: 1985-07-18 Size (acres) : 0

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, HEDGES MOUNTAIN, OREGON GULCH DRAINAGE.
(CA. 4.2 MILES NE OF CANYON FERRY LAKE.)

Element occurrence data:
SCATTERED .

General site description:

UNDER OPEN STAND OF PSEUDOTSUGA MENZESEII.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:
NONE.

Information source:

PIERCE, J. (1317). 1985. SPECIMEN # 019141. MONTU.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Bin HP

Carex vallicola #001
Canyon Ferry Quad

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 006
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank: G2Q Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status: C2

Survey site name: DUCK CREEK PASS

EO rank: BC
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION, PRIMARILY ROADSIDE, PROBABLY
HYBRIDIZING WITH CIRSIUM HOOKERIANUM.

County: MEAGHER

BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: GIPSY LAKE

BOULDER BALDY
GURNETT CREEK EAST

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
009N 004E 32 27,28,33,31,30
25 36

Survey date: 1992-07-27 Elevation: 6320 -7600
First observation: 1976 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1992-10-02 Size (acres) : 20

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, DUCK CREEK PASS ROAD (FS RD #139),
BEGINNING JUST WEST OF TURNOFF TO THOMPSON GULCH GUARD
STATION, AND SCATTERED IN SUBPOPULATIONS ALONG ROAD FOR 6.4
MILES TO THE WEST.

Element occurrence data:

1992: 1000-5000 INDIVIDUALS, ALL IN FLOWER. 1983: SOME
SUBPOPULATIONS HAVE >100 PLANTS; ANOTHER THISTLE, POSSIBLY
C. HOOKERIANUM, OCCURS IN ALL AREAS, PROBABLY HYBRIDIZING.

General site description:

1992: OPEN GRASSLANDS WITH SCATTERED SHRUBS BETWEEN ROAD
EDGE AND FOREST, WITH FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, TRISETUM SP., POA
PRATENSIS, BROMUS SP. , PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, AND PINUS
CONTORTA. 1983 (RAMSTETTER) : MOIST FIELDS AND ALONG
ROADSIDE; WITH LUPINUS, SOLIDAGO.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

SOME DISTURBANCE CAUSED BY ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND
MAINTENANCE.

Information source:

POOLE, J. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEYS TO ELKHORN AND BIG BELT

MOUNTAINS, HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, JULY 12, 27-29, AUGUST

3-7, 14, 17, 26 AND 27.]
Specimens:

RAMSTETTER, J. (11, 13). 1983. MONTU.

DORN, R. D. (2783). 1976. MONTU.

LESICA, P. (5846). 1992.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concerr

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 022
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank: G2Q Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status: C2

Survey site name: CARL CREEK

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: VERY SMALL POPULATION, DISTURBED HABITAT.

County: BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: BATTLE MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
007N 005E 20 NE4

Survey date: 1992-07-14 Elevation: 5440 -5480

First observation: 1992-07-14 Slope/aspect: 0-5% / SOUTH,
SOUTHEAST.

Last observation: 1992-07-14 Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, ALONG CARL CREEK TRAIL, JUST SOUTH OF
TRAILHEAD OFF HIGHWAY 12.

Element occurrence data:

7 PLANTS TOTAL, 1 COLLECTED. IN EARLY FLOWERING; WEEVILS
PRESENT.

General site description:

IN ABANDONED ROADBED (NORTH END) AND SEMI-INTACT MEADOW
(SOUTH END) OF PARTIALLY-OPEN VALLEY BOTTOM SEGMENT ALONG
CARL CREEK. ASSOCIATED SPECIES (NORTH END) : PHLEUM PRATENSE,
SYMPHORICARPOS ALBUS, CIRSIUM VULGARIS, GERANIUM
VISCOSSISIMUM, BROMUS INERMIS; SOUTH END: GALIUM BOREALE,
FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, SENECIO SPP., AND ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VALLEY BOTTOM WAS FORMER ROADBED; HIGH NUMBER OF EXOTICS
OUTSIDE OF ROADBED MAY REFLECT GRAZING HISTORY.

Information source:

HEIDEL, B. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO CARL CREEK OF 14

JULY . ]

Specimens:

HEIDEL, B. (796). 1992. MONT.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Cirsium longistylum #022
Battle Mt Quad

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 023
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank;
State rank:

G2Q
S3

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

C2

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

ATLANTA RIDGE

A

LARGE POPULATION IN INTACT HABITAT.

County: MEAGHER
USGS quadrangle:

Township:
009N

Range:
004E

BOULDER BALDY

Section:
06

TRS comments:

S2NW4, N2SW4, 5 NW4SW4

Survey date: 1992-07-15

First observation: 1992-07-15
SOUTH

Last observation: 1992-07-15

Elevation: 6400 -7440
Slope/aspect: 0-10% / EAST,

Size (acres) : 40

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, ON ATLANTA RIDGE ABOVE ATLANTA CREEK,
WEST OF ATLANTA ROAD (FS RD #57 5) , UPPER END OF RIDGE, ALSO
ALONG ATLANTA CREEK AND DIVERSION CHANNEL IN FEWER NUMBERS.

Element occurrence data:

250-400 PLANTS IN PEAK FLOWERING, THE MAJORITY AT WEST END
IN MEADOW SETTING. WEEVILS PRESENT.

General site description:

MOST NUMEROUS IN TRANSITION BETWEEN FESTUCA SCABRELLA
HABITAT TYPE AND DESCHAMPSIA CESPITOSA-OENTHONIA PARRYI
ASSOCIATED WITH IRIS MISSOURIENSIS, AGROPYRON CANINUM,
EQUISETUM ARVENSE, GALIUM BOREALE, POTENTILLA GRACILIS,
OXYTROPIS SERICEA; INTO OPEN PINUS CONTORTA. ALSO ALONG
SPARSELY VEGETATED DIVERSION CHANNEL BANKS, AND WIDELY
SCATTERED ALONG ATLANTA RIDGE ABOVE MEADOW SPECIES LIKE
HERACLEUM LANATUM AND MERTENSIA OBLONGIFOLIA.

HT,

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST,

TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

REPRESENTS LARGEST AND MOST NATURAL OCCURRENCE OF CIRSIUM
LONGISTYLUM ON HELENA NATIONAL FOREST. TEN SPECIMENS
COLLECTED BY B. HEIDEL FOR MORPHOMETRIC STUDY (NOT SUITED
FOR HERBARIUM) .

Information source:

HEIDEL, B. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO ATLANTIC RIDGE OF 15
JULY . ]

Specimens:

HEIDEL, B. (820) . 1992.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Cirsium longistylum #023
Boulder Baldy Quad

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 024
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank: G2Q Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status: C2

Survey site name: CEMENT GULCH

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County : BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: WHITES CITY

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
OlON 003E 7 SE4NE4

Survey date: Elevation: 6000

First observation: 1992-08-05 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1992-08-05 Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS; TAKE COUNTY RTE. #287 UP CONFEDERATE AND

CEMENT GULCHES TO NEAR READY CASH GULCH.

Element occurrence data:

General site description:

ROADSIDE; WITH POA PRATENSIS AND CARDUUS NUTANS.

Land owner /manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

Information source:

LESICA, P. DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIV. OF
MONTANA, MISSOULA, MT 59812.

Specimens:

LESICA, P. (5834). 1992. MONTU.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

I?^s

Cirsium longistylum #024
Whites City Quad

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 025
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank: G2Q Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status: C2

Survey site name: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N OOIW 3 NE4SE4

Survey date: Elevation: 7800

First observation: 1992 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1992 Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, FELLFIELD ON TOP OF HOGBACK MOUNTIAN,

Element occurrence data:

General site description:

FELLFIELD, GRAVELLY LIMESTONE-DERIVED SOIL, WITH POTENTILLA
OVINA AND POA INTERIOR.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

Information source:

LESICA, P. 1992. DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIV. OF
MONTANA, MISSOULA, MT 59812.

Specimens:

LESICA, P. (5855). 1992. MONTU.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

B^^WW«^ LU.l.lkJJ.WI'"Y)i

Cirsium lon^^t^jm
Hogback Mt Quad

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 02(
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank: G2Q
State rank: S3

Forest Service status:

Federal Status: C2

Survey site name: BEAR GULCH SPRING

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: 1 PLANT MIXED WITH ANOTHER SPECIES AND POSSIBLE
HYBRIDS; PASTURE NEAR ROAD.

County: JEFFERSON

USGS quadrangle: CROW CREEK FALLS

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
006N 002W 1 NW4SE4NW4

Survey date: 1992-08-26

First observation: 1992-08-26

Last observation: 1992-08-26

Elevation: 6920
Slope/aspect: 10% / EAST
Size (acres) : 1

Location:

ELKHORN MOUNTAINS, 2.3 AIR MILES SOUTH OF CROW CREEK FALLS;
TAKE CROW CREEK ROAD (FS RD #424) BEYOND CAMPGROUND TO TRAIL
110 (TO POE PARK), GO LEFT, STAYING ON MAIN ROAD FOR CA . 1
MILE TO CORRAL AND SPRING.

Element occurrence data:

IN 1992 ONLY 1 PLANT, IN FRUIT, WITH CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM
CHARACTERS WAS OBSERVED AMONG A POPULATION OF CA. 100 PLANTS
OF CIRSIUM HOOKERIANUM AND POSSIBLE HYBRIDS AND BACK
CROSSES.

General site description:

OPEN GRASSLAND SURROUNDED BY FOREST; GRAZED PASTURE BY ROAD
WITH FENCED SPRING AND UPPER SPRING RUN; NEARBY MESIC MEADOW
AROUND DRAINAGE; WITH PHLEUM PRATENSE, POTENTILLA SP.,
ANTENNARIA SP. , AND CAREX SPP.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

Information source:

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO ELKHORN AND BIG
BELT MOUNTAINS IN THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST OF JULY 12,
27-29 AND AUG. 3-7, 14, 17, 26.]

Specimens:

POOLE, J. M. (3164). 1992. MONT.

Element Occurrence Record
Plant Species of Special Concer

Cirsium longistylum #026
Crow Creek Falls Quad

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 027
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank: G2Q Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status: (

Survey site name: CONFEDERATE GULCH

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: DIAMOND CITY

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
OlON 003E 20 NE4

Survey date: Elevation: 5220

First observation: 1992-08-05 Slope/aspect:
Last observation: 1992-08-05 Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, ALONG CONFEDERATE GULCH JUST ABOVE
CEMENT GULCH.

Element occurrence data:

General site description:

DISTURBED AREA; WITH PHLEUM PRATENSE AND ELYMUS GLAUCUS.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

Information source:

LESICA, P. DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF
MONTANA, MISSOULA, MT. 59812.

Specimens:

LESICA, P. (5833). 1992. MONTU.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Cirsium longistylum #027
Diamond City Quad

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 025
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank:
State rank:

G2Q
S3

Forest Service status:

Federal Status: C2

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

BOULDER CREEK

CD

SMALL POPULATION.

County: BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle:

BOULDER BALDY
DIAMOND CITY

Township:
OlON

Range:
003E

Section:
28

TRS comments:
S2SW4, 29 S2SE4

Survey date: 1992-08-11

First observation: 1992-08-11

Last observation: 1992-08-11

Elevation: 6920 -7020
Slope/aspect: 20-40% / SOUTH
Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, RIDGELINE ABOVE BOULDER CREEK,
ACCESSIBLE FROM FS RD #4171 TO LOGGING ROAD TO FS TRAIL
#142, WHICH CUTS OVER THE RIDGE.

Element occurrence data:

20-40 PLANTS WIDELY SCATTERED ACROSS EXPOSED SLOPE.
LATE FLOWERING AND FRUITING STAGES.

VERY

General site description:

OPEN UPPER SOUTH-FACING RIDGELINE ABOVE BOULDER CREEK IN
AGROPYRON SPICATUM HABITAT TYPE WITH PAST GRAZING HISTORY
LIKELY. UNUSUALLY HEAVY LITTER BUILDUP. ASSOCIATED SPECIES;
FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, MONARDA FISTULOSA.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST,

TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

FIVE SPECIMENS COLLECTED FOR MORPHOMETRIC STUDY.

Information source:

HEIDEL, B. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEYS TO BOULDER CREEK AND
BOULDER LAKES OF 11 AUGUST.]

Specimens:

E lenient Occurrence Record

Plant Scecies of Special Concern

Cirsium longistylum #028

Diamond City Quad Boulder BaldyQuad

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 029
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank: G2Q
State rank: S3

Forest Service status:

Federal Status: C2

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

SPRINGS GULCH

BC

SMALL POPULATION IN DISTURBED SITE, ONLY 10% WAS

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM.

County: BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: WHITES CITY

Township: Range: Section:
OlON 002E 3

TRS comments:
NW4NW4NW4

Survey date: 1992-08-27

First observation: 1992-08-27

Last observation: 1992-08-27

Elevation: 6640 -6840
Slope/aspect: 50% / SOUTHWEST
Size (acres) : 10

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, HEAD OF SPRINGS GULCH ON SOUTH SLOPES OF
BILK MOUNTAIN, 0.3 AIR MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE EASTERN PEAK
OF BILK MOUNTAIN; END OF SPRINGS GULCH ROAD (FS RD #1020).

Element occurrence data:

IN 1992 THERE WERE CA. 50 PLANTS (10% WERE CIRSIUM
LONGISTYLUM, 20% WERE C. HOOKERIANUM, AND THE REST WERE
HYBRIDS; N=25) . IN FRUIT WITH FEW SEEDS POSSIBLY DUE TO
EARLIER DROUGHTS.

General site description:

MEADOW WITH VARIOUS GRASSES AND SEDGES SURROUNDED BY
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII FOREST; NUMEROUS INTRODUCED SPECIES
SUCH AS CARDUUS NUTANS AND CIRSIUM VULGARE ALONG ROAD EDGE;
SEDGE MEADOW DOWNSLOPE MAY BE MORE "NATURAL."

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

Information source:

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO ELKHORN AND BIG
BELT MOUNTAINS IN HELENA NATIONAL FOREST OF JULY 12, 27-29
AND AUG. 3-7, 14, 17, 26, 27.]

Specimens:

POOLE, J. (3165). 1992. MONT.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Am

Cirsium longistylum #029
Whites City Quad

CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM * 030
LONG-STYLED THISTLE

Global rank: G2Q Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status: C2

Survey site name: LONG GULCH/PRIEST GULCH RIDGE

EO rank: AB
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION IN RELATIVELY UNDISTUBED HABITAT,

BUT NOT ALL OF THE POPULATION IS CIRSIUM

LONGISTYLUM.

County: MEAGHER

BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: WHITES CITY

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

OllN 003E 31 SW4SW4,W2NW4SW4,W2SW4NW4

3 6 NE4SE4NE4,S2NE4NE4,NW4NE4NE4,NE4NW4NE4;2 5SW

1 E2NE4NE4,NW4NE4NE4

Survey date: 1992-08-05 Elevation: 6440 -6693
First observation: 1992-08-05 Slope/aspect: 5-15% / VARIOUS
Last observation: 1992-08-05 Size (acres) : 100

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, 2.7 AIR MILES EAST OF EAST SUMMIT OF
BILK MOUNTAIN, RIDGE AT THE HEAD OF LONG AND PRIEST GULCHES;
CA. 0.3 - 2.1 MILES NORTH OF FS RD #4161 (LAST 0.2 MILES
NORTH ON NORTH SPLIT) FROM JUNCTION WITH FS RD #587 (WHITES
GULCH ROAD) WHICH IS CA. 4 MILES NORTHEAST OF WHITES CITY.

Element occurrence data:

IN 1992 CA. 500 INDIVIDUALS OBSERVED (BUT NOT ALL THE
POPULATION IS CIRSIUM LONGISTYLUM.)

General site description:

ROUGH FESCUE MEADOW AT CREST OF BIG BELT MOUNTAINS DIVIDE;
SILTY MOIST SOILS. WITH POA PRATENSIS, POTENTILLA GRACILIS,
SMILACINA STELLATA, BROMUS CARINATUS, FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS,
STIPA RICHARDSONII, PERIDERIDEA GAIRDNERI , FRAGARIA
VIRGINIANA, GEUM TRIFLORUM, DANTHONIA INTERMEDIA, GALIUM
BOREALE, GERANIUM VISCOSUM, ETC.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

ECODATA PLOT #92JPO01.

Information source:

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO ELKHORN AND BIG
BELT MOUNTAINS IN THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST OF JULY 12,
27-29, AUG. 3-7, 14, 17, 26, 27.]

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record
Plant Species of Sp)ecial Concer

S'ao Ci'r ,

COMMUNITY SURVEY FORM mtnhp

5/27/91

GENERAL PLOT DATA

IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION

MANUAL UNITS Vft

PLOT NO. ^ZT?0O\ MO 0% DAY Q-5 YEAR ^2-^EOCODE *"

EXAMINER (s) fe>&/e Le.i>\CA

PNC CT

SITE ^_ STATE HT COUNTY MCcLfihcr

PURP PREC QUADNAME UJlAite^ CJy QUADCODE ^

WrO T/3^ R/31 S/^uJ4S//;uJ4/4 COMMUNITY SIZE (acres) C^O

PLOT TYPES PLTRL ^g.S PLOT W SURVEY

PHOTOS ^^<^

DIRECTIONS

CONSERVATION RANKING

COND Com:

VI AB Com:

DEFN Com:

RANK Com:

MGMT:
PROT:

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

a

DL (jr SOIL RPT

SOIL UNIT SOIL TAXON

PM SH^L- LANDFORM /^/v?/^ PLOT POS/f/6^/9 SLP SHAPE K ASP .13 S""
SLOPE % O ELEVATION C>{cO0 EROS POTENT 5/4 EROS TYPE /YO~

HORIZON ANGLE (%): N E S W IFSLP IFVAL

SPFE

GROUND COVER: /O S+ 7" G+ Q R+ 7^L+ ^ W+ ^ M+ 90 BV+ T O ' = 100%
DISTURBANCE HISTORY (type,^ intensity, frequency, season) — >

RIPARIAN FEATURES: Channel Width Channel Entrench

Surface Water Ht.Abv.H20 Dist. from H20"

GENERAL SITE DESCRIPTION (landscape features and adjacent ct's]

OCULAR PLANT SPECIES DATA

PltlDL

PLOT NO.

NO. SPECIES S/ PNC

TREES Tot Cv T MHt S. Q

Tal Cv Med Cv

Low Cv Grd Cv

CC

FRBS Tot Cv UO MHt 1 .0

Med Cv Low Cv

Grd Cv

{^p

T 1
T 2
T 3"
T 4"
T 5"

SHRBS

S
S

s
s
s
s
s
s

S 9_
SIO
Sll"
812"

G 1
G 2~
G 3"
G 4
G 5~
G 6~
G 7~
G 8~
G 9
GIO
Gil"
G12'

J

J

J

/

_Z1

Tot Cv
Tal Cv~
Low Cv

MHtjy

Med Cv_
Grd Cv

7^

jricof^

/ f?0'- woo

J

J

/

_/.
_/.

GRAM Tot Cv ^O MHt 'J. 5'

Med Cv Low Cv

Grd Cv

Jf^i^^Q-

lzO_

Sn.

/'h* tar

it:

3

/C^r P^

M2^

I

/jgri^/^

jJ^F^

JO

/ -i' r<

/ Carhoj

-.V

F 1

F 2_^
F 3
F 4~
F 5]
F 6
F 7^
F 8_
F 9_
FIO
Fll'
F12~
F13"
F14
F15'

/j^ra±

jj^^r^

S ''''■■ 'j-y f re

J^

^Sn.

/£r^

JQr^A£_

^,4f-^

jrr,j v^

/ /Tsi-er

/ Ara d.n\

J Cam

J^rl n^

/iV^lan/

/Si I ^/iJ

/ Er^ rcf>

/ (erar\/

T

jCorU

JHCAfL

T

^

/\hfs^

^

FERN Tot Cv_0_ MHt_

Low Cv_

BRYO/LICH Tot Cvj

COMMENTS (EODATA)

Cirsium longistylum #030
Whites City Quad

CLAYTONIA LANCEOLATA VAR FLAVA * 021
YELLOW SPRINGBEAUTY

Global rank: G5T5 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE
State rank: S3 Federal Status: C2

Survey site name: CASTLE FORK DEEP CREEK

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: BATTLE MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
007N 005E 22 NE4

Survey date: Elevation: 5790

First observation: 1991 Slope/aspect: 0-10% / SOUTH

Last observation: 1991-07-01 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS; CA. 2 2 MILES EAST OF TOWNSEND ON HWY 12,
JUST NORTH OF ROAD IN WET SWALE.

Element occurrence data:
100+ PLANTS.

General site description:

OPEN MOIST SWALE IN SAGEBRUSH UPLANDS, WITH POLYGONUM
BISTORTOIDES, MERTENSIA OBLONGIFOLIA AND DODECATHEON
PULCHELLUM.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)
HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

ENTIRE SITE NOT SURVEYED.

Information source:

ROE, LISA S. MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, 1515 EAST
SIXTH AVENUE, HELENA, MT 59620.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Claytonia lanceolata var. flava #021
Battle Mt Quad

DELPHINIUM ANDERSONII * 004
ANDERSON'S LARKSPUR

Global rank: G5 Forest Service status: Wi
State rank: SI Federal Status:

Survey site name: BEAVER CREEK

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
013N OOIW 27 SW4NE4

Survey date: Elevation: 4720 -5320

First observation: 1992-05-21 Slope/aspect: 60-80% /SOUTHEAST
Last observation: 1992-05-21 Size (acres) : 20

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, 1.2 ROAD MILES EAST OF REFRIGERATOR
CANYON (CA. 5 MILES EAST OF NELSON) , 500 FEET UP TALUS SLOPE
NORTH OF ROAD.

Element occurrence data:

1,000-10,000 PLANTS; IN FLOWER.

General site description:

OPEN EXPOSURE, MIDSLOPE, DRY SHIFTING LIMESTONE TALUS SLOPE
WITH LITTLE (10% COVER) VEGETATION. WITH ARTEMISIA
MICHAUXIANA, AGROPYRON SPICATUM, AND CYMOPTERUS
TEREBINTHINUS.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

KEYS OUT TO THIS SPECIES BUT SEEMS OUT OF RANGE.

Information source:

LESICA, P. DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES. UNIV. OF
MONTANA, MISSOULA, MT. 59812.

Specimens:

LESICA, P. (5652). 1992. MONTU.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Delphinium andersonii #004
Hogback Mt Quad

JUNCUS HALLII * 007
HALL'S RUSH

Global rank: G4G5 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE
State rank: S2 Federal Status:

Survey site name: THE NEEDLES

EO rank: AB
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION IN SEEMINGLY PRISTINE HABITAT.

County: MEAGHER

USGS quadrangle: MOUNT EDITH

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
008N 004E 11 NW4

Survey date: 1992-08-06 Elevation: 7400
First observation: 1983 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1992-08-06 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, ENE OF TOWNSEND, CA. 0.2 5 MILE SOUTHWEST
OF "THE NEEDLES," AND CA. 2.4 AIR MILES NNW OF MOUNT EDITH.

Element occurrence data:

1992: CA. 100 INDIVIDUALS. 1983: COMMON.

General site description:

SPHAGNUM BOG AROUND EDGES OF SLOUGH, WITH JUNCUS NEVADENSIS,
ERIOPHORUM POLYSTACHION, CAREX CANESCENS, C. SCOPULORUM VAR.
CHIMAPHILA, CALAMAGROSTIS CANADENSIS, CAREX MICROPTERA AND
SENECIO FOETIDUS.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

ECODATA PLOT #92JP002.

Information source:

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY OF ELKHORN AND BIG
BELT MOUNTAINS, HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, OF JULY 12, 27-29,
AUGUST 3-7, 14, 17, 26 AND 27.]

Specimens:

RAMSDEN, D. J. (1353). 1983. SPECIMEN #095419. MONTU .

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

COMMUNITY SURVEY FORM mtnhp

5/27/91

GENERAL PLOT DATA

IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION /

-7 / MANUAL UNITS /_ft

PLOT NO . 7(3 TP0/)S. MO &_ DAY (^ YEAR ^3. EOCODE *.

EXAMINER (S) ZT^P.-yol-e. P- Ul.^, -^

PNC ■ CT

SITE STATE MT COUNTY Mf^^luJD

PURP PREC QUADNAME Mou fo T EJ. tU QUADC0DE^_J_3ZII

Ihl T/ v£ R/77~S/A;k;4S/A7E4/4 COI^NITY SIZE (acres) ^ /

PLOT TYPES PLTRL SO PLOT W IQ SURVEY

PHOTOS

DIRECTIONS — >

CONSERVATION RANKING

COND
VIAE

Com:

Coin:

DEFN
RANK

_ Com:
Com:

MGMT:
PROT:

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

DL b SOIL RPT

SOIL UNIT SOIL TAXON

PM $A A L lANDFORM GhTa PLOT POSf^ Mr IV SLP SHAPE f, ASP O

SLOPE % O ELEVATION I'JZO EROS POTENT ^<\ EROS TYPE NO

HORIZON ANGLE (%) : N E S W IFSLP IFVAL

SPFE "JpUf^CjKjuM 0>oe

GROUND COVER: T S+ 0 G+ O R+ /Q L+ T W+ iTo M+ /Q BV+ Q 0 " = 10 0 =
HISTORY (type, intensity, frequer

DISTURBANCE HISTORY (type, intensity, frequency, season) — >

—RIPARIAN FEATURES: Channel Width Channel Entrench

Surface Water Ht.Abv.H20 Dist. from H20

GENERAL SITE DESCRIPTION (landscape features and adjacent ct's)

OCULAR PLANT SPECIES DATA

PltlDL

PLOT NO.

NO. SPECIES I U> PNC

COMMENTS (EODATA) -->

TREES

Tot Cv O MHt
Tal Cv Med Cv
Low Cv Grd Cv

cc

FRBS Tot Cv;?0
Med Cv
Grd Cv

MHt ^.5
Low Cv

CC

T 1

/

F 1
F 2

/ ^/' i^^

1

T 2

/

/^f Ctr

T

T 3

/

F 3
F 4
F 5
F 6
F 7

/ 'S^r-^^

(0

T 4

/

/ An^ cor

C-^

T 5

/

/ Ai^OLC

/■^J aro

T

SHRBS

Tot Cv 0 MHt
Tal Cv Med Cv
Low Cv Grd Cv

cc

/

F 8

/

F 9
FIO
Fll
F12

/

/

S 1

/

/

S 2

/

/

S 3

/

F13
F14
F15

/

S 4

/

/

S 5

/

/

S 6

/

/

S 7

/

/

S 8

/

/

S 9

/

/

SIO

/

/

Sll

/

/

S12

/

/

GRAM

Tot Cv 70 MHt ''.5
Med Cv Low Cv
Grd Cv

cc

/
/

/

/

G 1

/^^(r.c^

^o

/

G 2

/r.,rr«-c

^o

/

G 3

/<ir£r„

-5^^

/

G 4

/ f^/?/ r^W

r

/

G 5

/ ^-^^ /zJ 1

/

G 6

/CTy^

/

/

G 7

/ j?/^.-; r^s

^

/

G 8

/ 6?r r.;i3

'7^

G 9

/ Un,>f

-T~

FERN Tot Cv 0

Low
BRYO/LICH Tot

GIO

//^rs'c.

(

MHt Med Cv

Gil

/ ^

Cv Grd Cv

G12

/

cv KO

•

Juncus hallii #007
Mt. Edith Quad

JUNCUS HALLII * 009
HALL'S RUSH

Global rank:
State rank:

G4G5
82

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

SENSITIVE

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

NORTH OF MOUNT BALDY

County: MEAGHER
USGS quadrangle:

Township:
008N

Range;
004E

MOUNT EDITH

Section:
08

TRS comments:
SW4NE4

Survey date:

First observation:

Last observation:

Elevation: 8860
1992-08-08 Slope/aspect: 10% / NORTHEAST
1992-08-08 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, CA. 2.5 MILES SOUTH OF DUCK CREEK PASS,
CA. 1.5 MILES NORTH OF MOUNT BALDY, LESS THAN 0.5 MILE SOUTH
OF ROAD ALONG DIVIDE.

Element occurrence data:
COMMON .

General site description:

IN MOIST MEADOW OPENING IN PINUS ALBICAULIS PARKLAND NEAR
BASE OF MOUNTAIN AT STREAM HEADWATERS, WITH DESCHAMPSIA
CESPITOSA AND CAREX PAYSONIS.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

Information source:

LESICA, PETER. DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES,
MONTANA, MISSOULA, MT 59812.

UNIV. OF

Specimens:

LESICA, P. (5850). 1992. MONT. ANNOTATED RALPH BROOKS.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Juncus hallii #009
Gurnet t Creek East Quad

Mt. Edith Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 001
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank:
State rank:

G3
S3

Forest Service status;
Federal Status;

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

HUNTERS GULCH

A

LARGE POPULATION, RELATIVELY UNDISTURBED AREA,

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: NELSON

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N 002W 01 NW4;2,E2

Survey date: 1985-07-01
First observation: 1978
Last observation: 1987-06-02

Elevation: 4280
Slope/aspect:
Size (acres) : 50

Location:

HUNTERS GULCH; FROM YORK, TAKE RD. NORTH TO NELSON; AT
NELSON, GO WEST 0.2 5 MILE TO HUNTERS GULCH; SITE IS CA.
0.75-1.0 MILE UP GULCH.

Element occurrence data:

1000-2000 INDIVIDUALS; MANY SEEDLINGS PRESENT; SITE BURNED
IN 1984, WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE INVIGORATED THE THREE
SUBPOPULATIONS.

General site description:

ON SLOPES ABOVE GULCH, IN SPARSE GRASSLAND VEGETATION WITH
SCATTERED PINUS PONDEROSA ON SOME SLOPES; SOILS ARE GRAVELLY
AND SHALE-DERIVED; AGROPYRON SPICATUM / CYMOPTERUS
TEREBINTHINUS / CHRYSOTHAMNUS VISCIDIFLORU / MENTZELIA
ALBICAULIS.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHERS - LESICA, P. (3468, 3470), 1985, SPECIMEN #s
102147, 102129 (MONTU) ; SHELLY, J.S. (1067) ANDG.V. KING,
1986, (MONTU).

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. MT NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, STATE LIBRARY,
1515 E. 6th AVE., HELENA, MT 59620.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

1

yrfw^rww^,

Lesquerella klausii #001
Nelson Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUS I I * 003
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: PIKE CREEK

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION, SOME PORTIONS RELATIVELY
UNDISTURBED.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

013N OOIW 25 N2;T13NR1E:19S2,30N2

Survey date: 1985-07-01 Elevation: 5800
First observation: 1985 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-06-01 Size (acres) : 50

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, PIKE CREEK; EAST OF NELSON ON BEAVER
CREEK RD., NEAR HEAD OF DRAINAGE, CA. 1-2 AIR MILES WEST OF
LEWIS & CLARK - MEAGHER COUNTY LINE.

Element occurrence data:

1000-2000 INDIVIDUALS, SCATTERED OVER A LARGE AREA; SOME
PORTIONS OF SITE ARE FAIRLY UNDISTURBED.

General site description:

MODERATE TO STEEP SLOPES, IN GRAVELLY SHALE-DERIVED SOIL;
WITH SCATTERED PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, AGROPYRON SPICATUM,
CYMOPTERUS, PENSTEMON, ERIOGONUM.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-LESICA, P. (3475), 1985, MONTU (102146).

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. MT NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, STATE LIBRARY,
1515 E. 6th AVE., HELENA, MT 59620.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Lesquerella klausii #003
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 006
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank:
State rank:

G3
S3

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

BARKING DOG
BC

EO rank comments: MEDIUM-SIZED POPULATION; UNDISTURBED SLOPES &
ROADBANKS.

Survey site name:
EO rank:

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N OOIE 17 N2NE4

Survey date: 1986-06-10
First observation: 1986
Last observation: 1986-06-10

Elevation: 5240
Slope/aspect:
Size (acres) : 4

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, HELENA N.F. ROAD 138 (BEAVER CREEK ROAD)
CA. 3 MILES ESE OF INDIAN FLATS GUARD STATION; 0.25 AIR
MILES SE OF BARKING DOG, SLOPE NORTH OF INDIAN CREEK.

Element occurrence data:

CA. 200-300 PLANTS, IN FLOWER AND EARLY FRUIT; SITE IS BI-
SECTED BY A ROAD, BUT PLANTS MOSTLY OCCUR IN NATIVE MONTANE
SLOPE AREAS, WITH SOME HAVING SEEDED ONTO THE DISTURBED ROAD
BANKS.

General site description:

SOUTH-FACING SLOPE AND ROADBANKS, IN GRAVELLY LOAM SOIL WITH
SMALL SHALE FLAKES; WITH PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, AGROPYRON
SPICATUM, FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, PHACELIA HASTATA.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1071) AND G.V. KING, 1986-06-01,
MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
BROADWATER COUNTIES OF 10-13 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

fW^

Lesquerella klausii #006
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 007
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank:
State rank:

G3
S3

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

NELSON

B

SMALL POPULATION, MOST PLANTS IN UNDISTURBED

HABITAT.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK
USGS quadrangle: NELSON

Township: Range:
012N 002W

Section:
01

TRS comments:
E2SE4,12N2NW4

Survey date: 1986-06-10
First observation: 1986
Last observation: 1986-06-10

Elevation: 4300
Slope/aspect:
Size (acres) : 10

Location:

0.75-1.0 AIR MILES ENE OF NELSON, 0.05-0.25 AIR MILES NORTH
OF BEAVER CREEK RD. (HELENA NF RD 138); ONE SMALL ROADSIDE
SITE 0.25 MILES NE OF NELSON.

Element occurrence data:

CA. 150 PLANTS, 3 SUBPOPULATIONS (27 PLANTS ON ROADSIDE, CA.
120 ON UNDISTURBED SLOPES NORTH OF ROAD) ; SOME CHEATGRASS
INVASION, AREA WAS PARTIALLY BURNED IN THE NORTH HILL FIRE
(1984) .

General site description:

S-FACING SHALE BARREN SLOPES; WITH OPEN PINUS PONDEROSA,
AGROPYRON SPICATUM, PURSHIA TRIDENTATA, CYMOPTERUS
TEREBINTHINUS, PHACELIA LINEARIS, CHRYSOPSIS VILLOSA.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT
PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1089) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU; MAP
SHOWING SUBPOPULATIONS ON FILE AT MTNHP.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
BROADWATER COUNTIES OF 10-13 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

LesquereLLa klausii #007
Nelson Quad

V

LESQUERELLA KLAUS I I * 008
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: REFRIGERATOR CANYON

EO rank: BC
EO rank comments: LARGELY NATURAL SITE, BUT BISECTED BY A POWERLINE.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
013N OOIW 28 E2SE4,27W2SW4

Survey date: 1986-06-10 Elevation: 4680
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-06-10 Size (acres) : 8

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, ON N SIDE OF BEAVER CREEK ROAD. (HELENA
N.F. RD. #138) CA. 0.5 MILES ENE OF REFRIGERATOR CANYON, CA.
4.5 MILES NE OF NELSON,

Element occurrence data:

CA. 200 PLANTS, IN FLOWER AND FRUIT; SOME PLANTS OCCUR ON
ROADBANK, BUT OTHERWISE MOST OCCUR ON THE UNDISTURBED SLOPE.

General site description:

IN COARSE TO FINE SHALE RUBBLE SOILS, ON SOUTH-FACING SLOPE;
PINUS PONDEROSA/AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH JUNIPERUS
SCOPULORUM, SENECIO CANUS, BERBERIS, ROSA.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1069) AND G.V. KING, 198 6, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
BROADWATER COUNTIES OF 10-13 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Lesquerella kiausii
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 009
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: BURNT GULCH

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: ROAD GOES THROUGH SITE.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
013N OOIW 23 NE4SW4

Survey date: 1986-06-10 Elevation: 5200 -
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-06-10 Size (acres) : 5

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, ALONG BEAVER CREEK RD. (HELENA N.F. RD.
#138) IN BURNT GULCH, FOURTH SWITCHBACK UP FROM BEAVER
CREEK, CA. 6 MILES NE OF NELSON.

Element occurrence data:

CA. 150 PLANTS, IN FLOWER AND FRUIT; PLANTS OCCUR ON ROAD-
BANK AND IN SMALL AREA OF UNDISTURBED VEGETATION ABOVE THE
ROAD.

General site description:

GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS, ON AND ABOVE ROADBANK; PSEUDOTSUGA
MENZIESII/AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH PINUS PONDEROSA, KOELERIA
MACRANTHA, FESTUCA, PENSTEMON .

Land owner /manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments:

VOUCHER - SHELLY, J.S. (1070) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
BROADWATER COUNTIES OF 10-13 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

q;n Bf-lt- ,n^ Flkhorn Mountain-;

Lesquerella klausii #009
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 010
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: BLACKSMITH GULCH

EO rank: BC
EO rank comments: UNDISTURBED SITE, BUT POPULATION IS VERY SMALL.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N OOIW 35 SE4E2

Survey date: 1986-06-11 Elevation: 4600
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-06-11 Size (acres) : 5

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, BLACKSMITH GULCH, 0.3 5 AIR MILES W OF
TROUT CREEK ROAD (HELENA N.F. RD. #4021). CA. 4 MILES NE OF
YORK.

Element occurrence data:

SMALL POPULATION, 2 0-2 5 PLANTS; VERY SPARSE POPULATION, IN
UNDISTURBED HABITAT; IN FRUIT.

General site description:

SHALE RUBBLE SOILS, SOUTH-FACING SLOPE; PINUS PONDEROSA/
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH ARTEMISIA
FRIGIDA, PENSTEMON ERIANTHERUS, SENECIO CANUS .

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER - SHELLY, J.S. (1092) AND G.V. KING, 198 6, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
BROADWATER COUNTIES OF 10-13 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Biq Belt and Elkhorn Mountain";

^^^S^S9k

Lesquerella klausii #010
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * Oil
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: KELLY GULCH

EO rank: BC
EO rank comments: FAIRLY SMALL POPULATION, ADJACENT TO ROAD.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: CANYON FERRY

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
OllN OOIW 04 SE4SE4

Survey date: 1986-06-11 Elevation: 4200 -
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-06-11 Size (acres) : 5

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, E. SIDE OF MOUTH OF KELLY GULCH, 0.1
MILE N. OF TROUT CREEK RD. (HELENA N.F. RD. #4021), CA . 1.25
MILES NE OF YORK.

Element occurrence data:

CA. 50-60 PLANTS, IN FRUIT; UNDISTURBED SITE, THOUGH ADJA-
CENT TO SEVERAL RESIDENCES.

General site description:

TAN-RED COLORED GRAVELLY LOAM SOIL, SW-FACING SLOPE; PINUS
PONDEROSA/PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH
ORYZOPSIS HYMENOIDES, RHUS.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER - SHELLY, J.S. (1093) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
BROADWATER COUNTIES OF 10-13 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

i^ia Rptr and Elkhorn Mountain";

Lesquerella klausii #011
Canyon Ferry Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 012
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: PRICES GULCH

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION, MOST PLANTS ON ROADBANK.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HAUSER LAKE

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
OllN OOIW 17 W2NE4

Survey date: 1986-06-11 Elevation: 4000 -
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-06-11 Size (acres) : 2

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, PRICES GULCH, HELENA N.F. ROAD #2 24,
0.1-0.2 MILES E. OF TROUT CREEK RD. (HELENA N.F. RD #4 021)
JUST S. OF YORK.

Element occurrence data:

2 SUBPOPULATIONS: 14 ON ROADSIDE, 4 IN ADJACENT FOREST; IN
FRUIT.

General site description:

ROADSIDE RUBBLE, AND THIN ROCKY SOILS IN FOREST; WITH
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, AGROPYRON SPICATUM, PENSTEMON
ERIANTHERUS .

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT
PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments:

VOUCHER - SHELLY, J.S. (1094) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
BROADWATER COUNTIES OF 10-13 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

q.'n Pnit rirv) ClWhorn Mount ,i i n<-.

Lesquerella klausii #012
Hauser Lake Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUS I I * 013
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: BIG LOG GULCH-HUNTERS GULCH RIDGE

EO rank: AB
EO rank comments: FAIRLY LARGE POPULATION, UNDISTURBED HABITAT.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: NELSON

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
013N 002W 35 CENTER, NE4NW4

Survey date: 1986-10-19 Elevation: 4900
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1987-06-02 Size (acres) : 10

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS;
SLOPES BETWEEN BIG LOG GULCH AND HUNTERS GULCH, CA. 1.6 AIR
MI. NNW. OF NELSON.

Element occurrence data:

SEVERAL HUNDRED PLANTS, IN TWO SUBPOPULATIONS ; AREA BURNED
IN 1984 FIRE.

General site description:

SOUTH-FACING SLOPE, GRAVELLY LIMESTONE RUBBLE; WITH PINUS
PONDEROSA, AGROPYRON SPICATUM, FESTUCA SCABRELLA, ACHILLEA
MILLEFOLIUM, ARTEMISIA FRIGIDA.

Land owner /manager:

GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1307) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. MT NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, STATE LIBRARY,
1515 E. 6th AVE., HELENA, MT 59620.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Lesquerella klausii#013
Nelson Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUS I I * 014
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: SHEEP MOUNTAIN PASS

EO rank: A
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION IN VIRTUALLY UNDISTURBED AREA.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN
NELSON

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
013N OOIW 20 N2,21NW4SW4

Survey date: 1987-05-15 Elevation: 6120
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1987-05-15 Size (acres) : 60

Location:

FROM YORK, NORTH ON DRY GULCH ROAD TO BEAVER CREEK ROAD;
BEAVER CREEK ROAD TO REFRIGERATER CANYON, AND NORTH ON
HIKING TRAIL CA. 2 MILES.

Element occurrence data:

EST. 2000-3000+ PLANTS, 3 SUBPOPULATIONS ; HABITAT IS
UNDISTURBED, EXCEPT FOR NEARBY HIKING TRAIL; FLOWERS AND
EARLY FRUIT.

General site description:

SHALE BARRENS; PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/AGROPYRON SPICATUM,
WITH BALSAMORHIZA SAGITTATA, LOMATIUM DISSECTUM, PENSTEMON
ALBERTINUS, ERIGERON COMPOSITUS, ARTEMISIA, ERIOGONUM.

Land owner /manager:

GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1308), 1987, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
MEAGHER COS. OF 15 MAY, 28 MAY, 2 JUNE, & 8-11 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Lesquerella klausii #014

Nelson Quad Hogback Mt Quad

.• j

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 015
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: MOORS CREEK

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: MEDIUM-SIZED POPULATIONS; LITTLE USED AREA.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

uses quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
013N OOIW 28 E2NW4

Survey date: 1987-05-15 Elevation: 5120
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1987-05-15 Size (acres) : 2

Location:

FROM YORK, NORTH ON DRY GULCH ROAD ABOUT 5.5 MILES TO BEAVER
CREEK ROAD; UP BEAVER CREEK RD. CA. 5 MILES TO REFRIGERATOR
CANYON, AND CA. 1 MILE NORTH ON HIKING TRAIL.

Element occurrence data:

EST. 4 00-500 PLANTS IN 2 SUBPOPULATIONS; FLOWERS AND EARLY
FRUIT; HIKING TRAIL TRAVERSES POPULATIONS.

General site description:

LIMESTONE RUBBLE SOILS; PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/AGROPYRON
SPICATUM, WITH PENSTEMON ERIANTHERUS, JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS, J.
SCOPULORUM, SENECIO CANUS, SMILACINA.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1309), 1987, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
MEAGHER COS. OF 15 MAY, 28 MAY, 2 JUNE, & 8-11 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

■l''n Unit ,-irvi Fl thorn Moijnt3in<;

Lesquerella klausii #015
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 016
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: BULL RUN GULCH

EO rank: A
EO rank comments: POPULATION & HABITAT CURRENTLY IN EXCELLENT
CONDITION.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N OOIW 33 N2NE4,28SE4

Survey date: 1987-05-28 Elevation: 5120
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1987-05-28 Size (acres) : 15

Location:

FROM YORK, NORTH ON DRY GULCH ROAD CA. 2.2 MILES TO BULL RUN
GULCH, AND UP GULCH (EAST) CA. 1.1 MILES.

Element occurrence data:

EST. 750-1000+ PLANTS, 3 SUBPOPULATIONS; FLOWERS AND FRUIT;
HABITAT LARGELY UNDISTURBED, BUT 2 MINE CLAIM POSTS ON SITE.

General site description:

SHALE RUBBLE; PINUS PONDEROSA/PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/
AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH CHRYSOPSIS VILLOSA, LOMATIUM
DISSECTUM, CIRSIUM UNDULATUM, AMELANCHIER ALNIFOLIA,
PENSTEMON ATTENUATUS.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1310). 1987. MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
MEAGHER COS. OF 15 MAY, 28 MAY, 2 JUNE, & 8-11 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Biq Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Lesquerella klausii #016
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 017
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank:
State rank:

G3
S3

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

SWEATS GULCH

A

LARGE POPULATION, HABITAT IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT

CONDITION.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK
USGS quadrangle: NELSON

Township:
012N

Range:
OOIW

Section:
19

TRS comments:
NE4,20W2NWR, 17E2SW4 , N2SE4

Survey date: 1987-05-28
First observation: 1987
Last observation: 1987-05-28

Elevation: 4960
Slope/aspect:
Size (acres) : 15

Location:

FROM YORK, NORTH ON DRY GULCH ROAD CA. 3 MILES TO JEEP
TRAIL; NORTHEAST ON TRAIL CA. 0.6 MILES TO SITE, ON NORTH
SIDE OF SWEATS GULCH.

Element occurrence data:

3 SUBPOPULATIONS : 1)500-600+, 2)15, 3)30-40; FLOWERS AND
FRUIT; HABITAT MOSTLY UNDISTURBED; ORV TRAIL ALONG RIDGE.

General site description:

SHALE RUBBLE; PINUS PONDEROSA/PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/
AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH PURSHIA TRIDENTATA, RHUS TRILOBATA,
PHACELIA HASTATA, ROSA SAYI, PENSTEMON ATTENUATUS, LOMATIUM,
ASCLEPIAS.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1311), 1987, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
MEAGHER COS. OF 15 MAY, 28 MAY, 2 JUNE, & 8-11 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Hountains

Lesquerella klausii #017
Nelson Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUS I I * 018
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank:
State rank:

G3
S3

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

KEEPOUT GULCH

B

MODERATE POPULATION SIZE, IN UNDISTURBED HABITAT.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK
USGS quadrangle: NELSON

Township:
013N

Range:
002W

Section:
26

TRS comments:
NE4

Survey date: 1987-06-02
First observation: 1987
Last observation: 1987-06-02

Elevation: 5400
Slope/aspect:
Size (acres) : 2

Location:

FROM YORK, NORTH ON DRY GULCH ROAD TO BEAVER CREEK (NELSON) ;
BEAVER CREEK ROAD WEST FOR 0.3 MILES, THEN JEEP TRAIL NORTH
CA.l MILE AND PACK TRAIL NORTH CA. 3 MILES TO KEEPOUT GULCH.

Element occurrence data:
EST. 200-300+ PLANTSi
FRUIT.

UNDISTURBED HABITAT; FLOWERS AND

General site description:

LIMESTONE RUBBLE; PINUS PONDEROSA/PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/
AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS, ARCTOSTAPHYLOS
UVA-URSI, SMILACINA, LINUM, APOCYNUM, ACHILLEA.

Land owner/manager:

GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S.

(1312) , 1987, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEYS IN LEWIS & CLARK AND
MEAGHER COS. OF 15 MAY, 28 MAY, 2 JUNE, & 8-11 JUNE.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Biq Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Lesquerella klausii #018
Nelson Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 025
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: SOUP CREEK WEST

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION, BUT HABITAT IN GOOD CONDITION,

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N OOIW 28 NW4NW4

Survey date: 1987-09-29 Elevation: 4700
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1987-09-29 Size (acres) : 5

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, SOUP CREEK DRAINAGE, CA. 2.0 AIR MILES
NORTHEAST OF HELENA NF ROAD #224, CA. 3.5 AIR MILES NORTH OF
YORK.

Element occurrence data:

ONE POPULATION, CA. 2 5-3 0 PLANTS; HABITAT LARGELY
UNDISTURBED; MAY BE MORE PLANTS ON SLOPE TO THE SOUTHWEST.

General site description:

STEEP SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST-FACING SLOPE, SHALE RUBBLE SCREE;
WITH PINUS PONDEROSA, RHUS TRILOBATA, AGROPYRON SPICATUM,
CHRYSOTHAMNUS NAUSEOSUS, PHACELIA HASTATA.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT
PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments:

ADDITIONAL SURVEYS NEEDED IN AREA IN EARLY SUMMER.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEY TO CABIN GULCH PRNA, BIG
BELT MOUNTAINS, OF 2 9 SEPTEMBER.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Biq Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Lesquerella klausii #025
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUS I I * 02 6
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: SOUP CREEK EAST

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: FAIRLY LARGE POPULATION, GOOD-EXCELLENT CONDITION
HABITAT.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N OOIW 15 S2SW4,22N2NW4

Survey date: 1987-09-29 Elevation: 5400
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1987-09-29 Size (acres) : 5

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, SOUP CREEK DRAINAGE, CA. 4 MILES NORTH-
EAST OF HELENA NF ROAD #224, CA. 5 AIR MILES NNE OF YORK.

Element occurrence data:

EST. 300-400+ PLANTS (249 INDIVIDUALS COUNTED); HABITAT
UNDISTURBED; POST-FRUITING.

General site description:

STEEP SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST-FACING SLOPE, SHALE RUBBLE SOILS;
WITH PINUS PONDEROSA, PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, AGROPYRON
SPICATUM, SENECIO CANUS .

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT
PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments:

ADDITIONAL SURVEYS NEEDED IN AREA IN EARLY SUMMER; SITE MAY
PARTIALLY EXTEND ONTO PRIVATE LAND.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEY TO CABIN GULCH PRNA, BIG
BELT MOUNTAINS, OF 29 SEPTEMBER.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUS I I * 02 9
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank:
State rank:

G3
S3

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

VIGILANTE CAMPGROUND

C

RELATIVELY UNDISTURBED HABITAT, BUT SMALL

POPULATION.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N OOIE 29 NW4SW4SW4;30SE4SE4

Survey date: 1989-05
First observation: 1989
Last observation: 1989-05

Elevation: 4600

Slope/aspect: 20% / SOUTHWEST

Size (acres) : 2

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, TROUT CREEK DRAINAGE, CA . 0.2 MILE EAST
OF VIGILANTE CAMPGROUND, ALONG TRAIL (#248) TO HANGING
VALLEY .

Element occurrence data:

SCATTERED, PERHAPS 50-75+ PLANTS OBSERVED.

General site description:

OPEN SLOPES, GRAVELLY SOIL; WITH PINUS PONDEROSA, LOMATIUM
DISSECTUM, ASTRAGALUS GILVIFLORUS.

Land owner /manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

SIGHT RECORD; VEGETATIVE PLANTS (PRE-FLOWERING) , THAT ARE
PROBABLY THIS SPECIES, WERE ALSO OBSERVED IN SECTION 21,
N2SW4SW4, BUT SHOULD BE VERIFIED.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM.

Specimens :

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Lesquerella klausii #029
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUS I I * 03 0
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

EO rank: C
EO rank comments:

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N OOIW 03 NE4SE4, 1 NW4NW4

Survey date: 1992-08-09 Elevation: 6690 -7680
First observation: 1992-08-09 Slope/aspect: 5-20% / SSW
Last observation: 1992-08-09 Size (acres) : 2

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, HOGBACK MOUNTAIN NEAR RIDGETOP, SOUTH OF
OLD TOWER SITE. ACCESSIBLE VIA FS RD #138 ("FIGURE 8 ROUTE")
UP BEAVER CREEK TO FS RD #298. POPULATION IS CA . 0.1 MILE
SOUTHEAST OF OLD LOOKOUT TOWER SITE.

Element occurrence data:

UNCOMMON IN RESTRICTED HABITAT; 50-100 PLANTS, PAST
FRUITING. IN IMMATURE FLOWERING STAGE FOR THE SECOND TIME OF
THE SEASON. INCOMPLETE SURVEY.

General site description:

OPEN, SOUTH-FACING DRY HABITAT, UPPER GRAVELLY LIMESTONE
SLOPES IN CAREX RUPESTRIS HABITAT TYPE BETWEEN TALUS AND
OUTCROP. ASSOCIATED SPECIES: SENECIO CANA, ANDROSACE
CHAMAEJASME, ERIOGONUM OVALIFOLIUM, CASTILLEJA PALLESCENS.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

OVER 3 MILES FROM OCCURRENCE #003, SEPARATED BY ELEVATION
AND DISTINGUISHED BY SUBSTRATE. WIDELY SCATTERED PLANTS
FOUND IN PRAIRIE OUTCROPS; MINOR CONTRIBUTION AS SATELLITES
TO POPULATION NUMBERS.

Information source:

HEIDEL, B. AND P. LESICA. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO
HOGBACK MOUNTAIN OF 9 AUGUST.]

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Lesquerella klausii #030
Hogback Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 031
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status:
State rank: S3 Federal Status:

Survey site name: NEEDHAM MOUNTAIN

EO rank: B
EO rank comments:

County: BROADWATER
MEAGHER

USGS quadrangle: WHITES CITY

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

OllN 002E 23 S2NW4, 22 NE4NE4 , NE4SW4

Survey date: 1992-08-12 Elevation: 6500 -6800

First observation: 1992-08-12 Slope/aspect: 20-40% / SOUTH AND
SOUTHEAST

Last observation: 1992-08-12 Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, NEEDHAM MOUNTAIN AND ADJOINING RIDGE TO
NORTHEAST, ACCESSIBLE VIA FS RD #4161 TO RUGGED JEEP TRAILS,

Element occurrence data:

150-200 PLANTS, IN IMMATURE FLOWERING STAGE FOR SECOND TIME
IN SEASON, MANY OF THE FLOWERS ABORTED. OCCASIONAL IN
RESTRICTED HABITAT.

General site description:

SPARSELY VEGETATED AREAS ON SOUTH AND EAST-FACING GRASSLAND
SLOPES OF NEEDHAM MOUNTAIN AND ADJOINING RIDGELINE. UPPER
GRAVELLY LIMESTONE SURROUNDED BY AGROPYRON SPICATUM-FESTUCA
IDAHOENSIS HABITAT TYPE. ASSOCIATED SPECIES: ERIOGONUM
OVALIFOLIUM, SENECIO CANA, FESTUCA OVINA, CHRYSOPSIS
VILLOSA, ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA, ASTRAGALUS VEXILLIFLEXUS .

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

REPRESENTS MINOR SOUTHERN RANGE EXTENSION SOUTHWARD AND NEW
COUNTY RECORD.

Information source:

HEIDEL, B. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO NEEDHAM MOUNTAIN OF
12 JULY.]

Specimens:

HEIDEL, B. (922). 1992. MONT.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and EUhorn Mountains

J^v -^^^^y..,/^ih^^^s^^^^ i^-j -~^.-,^j ,-[-||-,-^w..^^^^^

Lesquerella klausii #031
Whites City Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 03 2
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank: G3
State rank: S3

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

Survey site name: MERIWETHER CANYON

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

uses quadrangle: BEARTOOTH MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

013N 002W 17 W2SW4NE4,W2NW4NE4; SECTN 8 SW4SW4SE4

Survey date:
First observation: 1992-05-18
Last observation: 1992-05-18

Elevation: 4760 -5280
Slope/aspect: 5-30% / WEST
Size (acres) : 45

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, NORTH OF MERIWETHER CANYON; FROM
BEARTOOTH GAME RANGE FOLLOW WILLOW CREEK, TAKE UNMAINTAINED
TRAIL TO MERIWETHER CANYON. TRAIL GOES THROUGH LOW SADDLE,
POPULATION IS SOUTH OF THE SADDLE ALONG THE TRAIL.

Element occurrence data:

1,000 TO 10,000 PLANTS; IN FLOWER AND FRUIT.

General site description:

OPEN, DRY, SANDY, GRAVELLY, GRASSY UPLAND; LIMESTONE PARENT
MATERIAL; 40% BARE GROUND. DOMINATED BY AGROPYRON SPICATUM,
POA SECUNDA, FESTUCA SCABRELLA, AND ROSA WOODSII. TOTAL TREE
COVER 0%; TOTAL SHRUB COVER 5%; TOTAL FORB COVER 15%; TOTAL
GRAMINOID COVER 35%.

Land owner/manager:

GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

LOTS OF UNSURVEYED POTENTIAL HABITAT IN MANN GULCH,

Information source:

LESICA, P. DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIV. OF
MONTANA, MISSOULA, MT 59812.

Specimens:

LESICA, P. (5614). 1992. MONTU.

Eletnent Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

^^4?^

Lesquerella klausii 032
Bear tooth Mt Quad

LESQUERELLA KLAUSII * 033
DIVIDE BLADDERPOD

Global rank:
State rank:

G3
S3

Forest Service status:
Federal Status:

Survey site name:

EO rank:

EO rank comments:

WILLOW CREEK AND SLIP GULCH TRAIL

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: CANDLE MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

013N OOIW 7 W4SE4SW4,SE4SW4SW4; 18 NW4NE4NW4 , NE4NW4NW4

13 NW4NW4NW4; 12 SW4SW4SW4; 11 SE4SE4SE4; 14 NE4

Survey date:
First observation: 1992-05-19
Last observation: 1992-05-19

Elevation: 5160 -7440
Slope/aspect: 25% / SOUTH
Size (acres) : 30

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS; SOUTH SLOPES OF CANDLE MOUNTAIN AND
ALONG THE SLIP GULCH TRAIL CA. 1.3 AIR MILES WEST OF THE
SUMMIT OF CANDLE MOUNTAIN; TAKE WILLOW CREEK OR REFRIGERATOR
CANYON TRAIL TO BEAR PRAIRIE AND FROM THERE CLIMB TO CANDLE
MOUNTAIN BY SOUTHWEST SPUR RIDGE.

Element occurrence data:

MORE THAN 10,000 INDIVIDUALS IN 2 SUBPOPULATIONS, IN FLOWER.

General site description:

OPEN DRY UPPER MOUNATIN SLOPES ON LIMESTONE PARENT MATERIAL,
STONY SILTY SOIL. DOMINANT PLANT SPECIES: FESTUCA
IDAHOENSIS, AGROPYRON SPICATUM, DELPHINIUM BICOLOR,
BALSAMORHIZA SAGITTATA AND SENECIO INTEGERRIMUS . FESTUCA
IDAHOENSIS/ AGROPYRON SPICATUM HABITAT TYPE.

Land owner /manager :

GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

PROBABLY MANY MORE UNSURVEYED SUBPOPULATIONS IN AREA.

Information source:

LESICA, P. DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIV. OF
MONTANA, MISSOULA, MT 59812.

Specimens:

LESICA. P. (5622). 1992. MONTU.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Lesquerella klausii #033
Candle Mt Quad

POLYGONUM DOUGLASII SSP AUSTINAE * 003
AUSTIN'S KNOTWEED

Global rank: G5T4 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE
State rank: S2 Federal Status:

Survey site name: DEEP CREEK

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: SULPHUR BAR CREEK

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
007N 005E 20

Survey date: Elevation: 54 00

First observation: 1945 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1945-08-16 Size (acres) : 0

Location:

2 0 MILES EAST OF TOWNSEND IN BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, ON ROAD TO
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS (GENERAL LOCATION) .

Element occurrence data:
IN FRUIT.

General site description:

SHALE BANK WHERE MOISTURE IS CLOSE TO SURFACE.

Land owner /manager :

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)
HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

GENERAL LOCATION.

Information source:

HITCHCOCK, C.L. ANDMUHLICK. (13646). 1945. WTU.

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae #003
Suipbur Bar Creek Quad

POLYGONUM DOUGLASII SSP AUSTINAE * 004
AUSTIN'S KNOTWEED

Global rank:
State rank:

G5T4
82

Forest Service status;
Federal Status:

SENSITIVE

Survey site name: HUNTERS GULCH

EO rank: B
EO rank comments:

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: NELSON

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
012N 002W 02 NE4SE4, SE4NE4

Survey date: 1992-07-29

First observation: 1992-07-29

Last observation: 1992-07-29

Elevation: 4320

Slope/aspect: 5-20% / SOUTHEAST

Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, HUNTERS GULCH; CA. 0.5 MILE ABOVE
TRAILHEAD ON WEST SIDE OF VALLEY, OFF FS TRAIL #255.

Element occurrence data:

OVER 40 PLANTS, IN FRUIT. (INCOMPLETELY SURVEYED.)

General site description:

UPPER SLOPES OF SHALE BARRENS WITHIN AGROPYRON SPICATUM
HABITAT TYPE, SURROUNDED BY PINUS PONDEROSA HT WITH HIGH
PINE MORTALITY CAUSED BY FIRE. ASSOCIATED SPECIES: POLYGONUM
DOUGLASII VAR. DOUGLASII ELSEWHERE ON SLOPE, CHRYSOPSIS
VILLOSA, LESQUERELLA KLAUSII, PHACELIA HISPIDA, BROMUS
TECTORUM, CRYPTANTHA CELESIOIDES. OCCASIONAL IN A SEGMENT OF
MOST-EXPOSED OUTCROP HABITAT.

Land owner/manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST,

HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

SAME SHALE SLOPES BUT GENERALLY NOT IN THE SAME MICROHABITAT
AS POLYGONUM DOUGLASII VAR. DOUGLASII AND LESQUERELLA
KLAUSII. POSSIBLE HYBRID FORM NOTED AND COLLECTED (HEIDEL
#889) WITH HIGHLY-BRANCHED PATTERN AND INTERMEDIATE LEAVES.

Information source:

HEIDEL, B. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO HUNTERS GULCH OF 28
JULY . ]

Specimens:

HEIDEL, B. (891). 1992. MONT.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

f

Nelson Quad

POLYGONUM DOUGLASII SSP AUSTINAE * 005
AUSTIN'S KNOTWEED

Global rank: G5T4 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE
State rank: S2 Federal Status:

Survey site name: PIKE CREEK, BURNT GULCH

EO rank: A
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION COMPLEX; LIMITED DISTURBANCE.
LARGEST KNOWN OCCURRENCE.

County: LEWIS AND CLARK

USGS quadrangle: HOGBACK MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
013N OOIE 19 S2, 30 CENTER
36 NE4NE4

Survey date: 1992-07-29 Elevation: 5800 -6160
First observation: 1992-07-29 Slope/aspect: 5-45% / S, W
Last observation: 1992-07-29 Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, PIKE CREEK AND BURNT GULCH VALLEYS EAST
OF REFRIGERATOR CANYON, ABOVE FS RD #138, CA. 0.75 MILE WEST
OF LEWIS & CLARK COUNTY LINE.

Element occurrence data:

1000+ PLANTS IN LATE FRUIT, WITH LEAVES BECOMING A
CONSPICUOUS RED COLOR IN SENESCENCE. LIMITED TO A SEGMENT OF
OUTCROP SLOPE AND NEVER COMMON IN THIS SETTING.

General site description:

SHALE BARREN COMPLEX ACROSS SEVERAL SQUARE MILES WITHIN
PINUS PONDEROSA/AGROPYRON SPICATUM HABITAT TYPE; RECURRENT
ALONG SOUTH-FACING VALLEY OUTCROPS ON UPPER SLOPES.
ASSOCIATED SPECIES: CAREX GEYERI, LOMATIUM DISSECTUM,
ERIOGONUM OVALIFOLIUM, GAYOPHYTON DECIPIENS, PENSTEMON
ATTENUATUS, DANTHONIA UNI FLORA, ASTER LAEVIS, PRUNUS
VIRGINIANA, AMELANCHIER ALNIFOLIA. ALSO PRESENT IN LOW
NUMBERS WITH VIGOROUS PLANTS ON UNVEGETATED NATURAL SHALE
DRAWS DISSECTING THE OUTCROP SLOPE. OPEN EXPOSURE, DRY
HABITAT, SILTY SOIL.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, HELENA RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

SYMPATRIC WITH P. DOUGLASII VAR. DOUGLASII AND A POSSIBLE
HYBRID. ECODATA PLOT #92BH001 TAKEN (WITH P. LESICA) IN
T14N, RIW, SECTION 36, NE4NE4 . ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND
RESULTING SLOPE DESTABILIZATION AND EXOTIC INVASION ARE THE
ONLY MAJOR DISTURBANCES. NO MINING ACTIVITY; NO LIVESTOCK
FORAGING.
Information source:

HEIDEL, B. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO PIKE CREEK, BURNT
GULCH OF 29 JULY AND 9 AUGUST.]
Specimens:

HEIDEL, B. (897). 1992. MONTU.

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Biq Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

COMMUNITY SURVEY FORM mtnhp

5/27/91

GENERAL PLOT DATA

IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION

MANUAL UNITS j^ft in

PLOT NO. CJT^SUODl MO OB DAY Cfj YEAR ^^ EOCODEfiP/lr.VOwjV/ * cX^S^

EXAMINER (S) K t^^^.J. i P Li-su^

PNC CT

S I TE /k /.-.,. '^' ■ i'-^'-^l ^vA- / r'"< ^r..,,. STATE NO COUNTY Zc<->/. '"OW/^

PURP PREC5vl QUADNAME ih-o.h Mf,, QUADCODE Vu>iJi J ^>

N/ T/ I^J TL/ Z(^ S/ /jL AS/ .£^A'/A COMMUNITY SIZE (acres) _i

PLOT TYPES PLTRL PLOT W SURVEY

PHOTOS 00\ -

DIRECTIONS —>/.//,■■ :..,'(.. .-y -w r ^^r^.< 5^- c d^^^^ -. . ../ :..v.v

• ^ ,/ r....... ' ..,. — -; ^

CONSERVATION RANKING

COND /^ Com:

VIAE /? Com:

DEFN /1o^ Com:

RANK 31 Com:

MGMT:
PROT:

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

DL (t soil RPT

SOIL UNIT SOIL TAXON

PM ^f^^u LANDFORM ^^iOC PLOT POS ^L^j, SLP SHAPE ^ ASP 22.0

y SLOPE % VS~ ELEVATION EROS POTENT C/' EROS TYPE ^L.

HORIZON ANGLE (%) : N E S W IFSLP IFVAL

SPFE f^fr't/p, fCr'fe

GROUND COVER: /O S+ yg G+ 7" R+ T L+ / W+ Q M+ J BV+ o O ' = 100%
DISTURBANCE HISTORY (type, intensity, frequency, season) — >

4^

RIPARIAN FEATURES: Channel Width -^ Channel Entrench

Surface Water Ht.Abv.H20 Dist. from H2 0

GENERAL SITE DESCRIPTION (landscape features and adjacent ct's)

OCULAR PLANT SPECIES DATA

PltlDL

COMMENTS (EODATA) ~>

PLOT
TREES

NO. qZS^:-'-^/ NO. SPEC

Tot Cv 3 MHt 3o'
Tal Cv Med Cv
Low Cv Grd Cv

lES _

cc

PNC
FRBS

Tot Cv 2.0
Med Cv
Grd Cv

MHt,:r
Low Cv

CC

T 1

/ P/.v-ay

r

F 1

/ /iLUrtfi

r

T 2

/ FfK^r',,

3

F 2

/ o:ioj4

.?

T 3

/

F 3

/ c^/-^M/;c

lo

T 4

/

F 4

/ PrH^-

3

T 5

/

F 5

/ /;v-^.'/?

/

F 6

/ ■fKif'U^

T

SERBS

Tot Cv 3 MHt 1
Tal Cv Med Cv
Low Cv Grd Cv

cc

F 7
F 8

/ J/'-'-'X:

7-

/ /^lOy.,-

■> r

F 9

/ rjr...A

1

FIO

/ /lO.^L^

T

S 1

/ A(CCl.^

~T

Fll

/ ,-' '

■^

S 2

/ /^ckhIo'

2

F12

/ ^it^iaf

r

S 3

/ ii^/iU?

T

F13

/ '>0LAii)

T-

S 4

/ JUN^^<1

1

F14

/ /Ji Tl_/^

T

S 5

/ MZj^/^

F15

/ /.:^(i^

7

S 6

/

/ Mf-.'--^

/

S 7

/

/ {/^^i^/:

r

S 8

/

/ <:ij<.i/'^

7

S 9

/

/ f^iA<

T

SIO

/

/ T'>"'^''^

1

511

/

/ A/'.-^..

T

512

/

/ /(^Z-r^.y

1

/ ffV^^e

r

GRAM

Tot Cv /D MHt J
Med Cv Low Cv
Grd Cv

cc

/ J,f,-JU.i

T-

/ 66^/Of.t

T

/

J

G 1

/ Ar^l

/o

/

G 2

/ i^^/J.W)

.?

/

G 3

/ ,4<C,'y

i

/

G 4

/ fiHfC

/

/

G 5

/

/

G 6

/

/

G 7

/

/

G 8

/

G 9

/

FERN Tot Cv

Low
BRYO/LICH Tot

GIO

/

MHt Med Cv

Gil

/

Cv Grd Cv

G12

/

Cv

..

Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae #005
Hogback Mt Quad

POLYGONUM DOUGLASII SSP AUSTINAE * 006
AUSTIN'S KNOTWEED

Global rank: G5T4
State rank: S2

Forest Service status: SENSITIVE
Federal Status:

Survey site name: DRY CREEK TRAIL

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: VERY SMALL POPULATION IN HIGHLY-DISTURBED SETTING.

County: BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: DEER PARK

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
006N 003E 25 NE4

Survey date: 1992-08-10

First observation: 1992-08-10

Last observation: 1992-08-10

Elevation: 4920
Slope/aspect: 5% / SOUTH
Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, CA. 1
THE HELENA N.F. BOUNDARY,
OPPOSITE CABIN.

MILE EAST ON DRY CREEK ROAD FROM
ON NORTH SIDE OR ROAD ALMOST

Element occurrence data:

6 PLANTS IN LATE FRUIT.

General site description:

SMALL SHALE OUTCROP MOUND SURROUNDED BY HIGHLY-DISTURBED
AGROPYRON SPICATUM HABITAT TYPE AND PINUS PONDEROSA H.T. IN
MORE SHELTERED ASPECTS. OCCASIONAL IN VERY SMALL, DISTURBED
POTENTIAL HABITAT. INVADED BY BROMUS JAPONICUS. ASSOCIATED
SPECIES: POLYGONUM DOUGLASII VAR DOUGLASII, CHRYSOPSIS
VILLOSA, ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA, CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS,
GAYOPHYTON DECIPIENS, EUPHORBIA SPP.

Land owner /manager:

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

THIS SITE REFLECTS ITS PERSISTENCE UNDER INVASION BY EXOTIC
GRASSES IN SMALL HABITAT.

Information source:

HEIDEL, B. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO DRY CREEK OF 10
AUGUST. ]

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

mmmrn^

f;/-^"" \--^.; 'n5: >i> — ^V'f' ^'- ^

,i r'"

? -i.--^il

\ „^.^:^ ^

lifr ' frrrir

Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae #006
Deer Park Quad

POLYGONUM DOUGLASII SSP AUSTINAE * 007
AUSTIN'S KNOTWEED

Global rank: G5T4 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE
State rank: S2 Federal Status:

Survey site name: DRY CREEK SHALE BARRENS

EO rank: AB
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION AND HIGH VIABILITY WITH DIVERSITY
OF OUTCROP SLOPES.

County: BROADWATER

USGS quadrangle: SIXMILE MOUNTAIN

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
006N 004E 27 SW4SE4, 34 NW4NE4

Survey date: 1992-08-10 Elevation: 5680 -5850
First observation: 1992-08-10 Slope/aspect: 20-35% / SOUTH
Last observation: 1992-08-10 Size (acres) :

Location:

BIG BELT MOUNTAINS, OVER 5 MILES EAST OF SIGN MARKING HELENA

NATIONAL FOREST BOUNDARY, CA. 0.2 5 MILE WEST OF SECTION LINE

GATE AND FORK BETWEEN OLD AND NEW ROADBEDS.

Element occurrence data:

ESTIMATED OVER 3 00 INDIVIDUALS; INCOMPLETELY SURVEYED.
EXTENSIVE POTENTIAL HABITAT OF GOOD QUALITY. OCCASIONAL
ACROSS RECURRENT SOUTH-FACING OUTCROP HABITAT; PAST FRUITING
AND IN EARLY STAGES OF LEAF SENESCENCE.

General site description:

BROAD SOUTH-FACING SHALE OUTCROP SLOPES ABOVE OLD ROADBED
AND BEAVER-IMPOUNDED WATERCOURSE, BELOW PINUS PONDEROSA AND
AGROPYRON SPICATUM HABITAT TYPES. ON UPPER SLOPES IN
ASSOCIATION WITH POLYGONUM DOUGLASII VAR DOUGLASII,
PENSTEMON ATTENUATUS, ARENARIA NUTTALLII, RIBES CEREUM,
BROMUS JAPONICUS, CHAENACTIS DOUGLASII, MENTZELIA DISPERSA,
PHACELIA HASTATA.

Land owner /manager :

HELENA NATIONAL FOREST, TOWNSEND RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

POTENTIAL HABITAT EXTENDS FOR OVER 1 MILE IN SECTIONS 27 AND
28.

Information source:

HEIDEL, B. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO DRY CREEK OF 10
AUGUST.]

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains

Polygonum douglasii ssp. austinae #007
Sixmile Mt Quad

POTENTILLA DIVERSIFOLIA VAR MULTISECTA * 002
DIVERSE-LEAVED CINQUEFOIL

Global rank: G5T3T4 Forest Service status:
State rank: SH Federal Status:

Survey site name: ROCKY CANYON

EO rank:
EO rank comments:'

County: GALLATIN

USGS quadrangle: SIXMILE MOUNTAIN
DEER PARK

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
005N 004E 21

Survey date: Elevation: 6760

First observation: 1900 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1900-05-26 Size (acres) : 0

Location:

ROCKY CANYON (CA. 25 MILES NORTH OF BELGRADE; HISTORICAL
RECORD) .

Element occurrence data:

IN FLOWER (26 MAY 1900) .

General site description:
DRY ROCKY PLACES.

Land owner /manager :

BAR NONE RANCH CONSERVATION EASEMENT

Comments:

ALSO COLLECTED BY J. LOCKE, 26 MAY 1900 (MONT) .

Information source:

BLANKINSHIP, J. W. (S.N.). 1900. MONT. (MRPP CARD).

Specimens:

Element Occurrence Record

Plant Species of Special Concern

Big Bolt and Elkhorn Mountains

Potentilla diversifolia var. multisecta #002
Sixmile Mt Quad

APPENDIX 6

PRELIMINARY FLORA OF BIG BELT MOUNTAINS

Nomenclature follows Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973) .
Nomenclature for Salix follows Dorn (1984). Taxa that are bold-
faced were collected. Species followed by an asterisk (*) are
introduced (non-native) .

Aceraceae
Acer glabrum

Alismataceae
Sagittaria cuneata

Anacardiaceae
Rhus radicans
Rhus trilobata

Apiaceae
Angelica arguta
Berula erecta
Bupleurum americanum
Cymopterus bipinnatus
Cymopterus terebinthinus
Heracleum lanatum
Lomatium cous
Lomatium dissectum
Lomatium macrocarpum
Lomatium triternatum
Musineon vaginatum
Osmorhiza chilensis
Osmorhiza occidentalis
Perideridia gairdneri

Apocynaceae
Apocynura androsaemifolium

Asclepiadaceae
Asclepias ovalifolia

Asteraceae
Achillea millefolium
Agoseris aurantiaca
Agoseris glauca
Anaphalis margaritacea
Antennaria alpina
Antennaria anaphaloides
Antennaria corymbosa
Antennaria lanata
Antennaria microphylla
Antennaria neglecta

103

Antennaria parviflora
Antennaria racemosa
Antennaria umbrinella
Arctium minus*
Arnica cordifolia
Arnica latifolia
Arnica mollis
Arnica parryi
Arnica rydbergii
Arnica sororia
Artemisia absinthium*
Artemisia campestris
Artemisia cana
Artemisia dracunculus
Artemisia frigida
Artemisia ludoviciana
Artemisia michauxiana
Artemisia tridentata
Aster alpigenus
Aster campestris
Aster chilensis
Aster conspicuous
Aster falcatus
Aster foliaceus
Aster integrifolius
Aster laevis
Aster occidentalis
Aster sibiricus
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Bidens cernua
Brickellia grandiflora
Carduus nutans*
Centaurea diffusa*
Centaurea maculosa*
Chaenactis douglasii
Chrysopsis villosa
Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Chrysothamnus viscidif lorus
Cirsium arvense*
Cirsium canadense
Cirsium hookerianum
Cirsivun longistylum
Cirsium scariosum
Cirsium undulatum
Cirsium vulgare*
Conyza canadensis
Crepis acuminata
Crepis atribarba
Crepis occidentalis
Crepis runcinata
Crepis tectorum*
Erigeron annuus

104

Erigeron caespitosus
Erigeron compositus

Erigeron corymbosus
Erigeron divergens
Erigeron ochroleucus
Erigeron peregrinus
Erigeron pumilus
Erigeron simplex
Erigeron speciosus
Erigeron ursinus
Filgao arvensis*
Gaillardia aristata
Gnaphalium uliginosum
Grindelia squarrosa
Gutierrezia sarothrae
Haplopappus acaulis
Haplopappus lanuginosus
Haplopappus lyallii
Helianthella uniflora
Hieracium albiflorum
Hieracium gracile
Hieracium umbellatum
Hymenopappus filifolius
Hymenoxys acaulis
Hymenoxys richardsonii
Kuhnia eupatorioides
Lactuca pulchella
Lactuca serriola*
Liatris punctata
Lygodesmia juncea
Machaeranthera canescens
Machaeranthera grindelioides
Madia glomerata
Matricaria matricarioides*
Microseris nigrescens
Microseris nutans
Petasites sagittatus
Ratibida columnifera
Senecio canus
Senecio crassulus
Senecio cymabalarioides
Senecio foetidus
Senecio fremontii
Senecio indecorus
Senecio integerrimus
Senecio pauperculus
Senecio serra
Senecio triangularis
Solidago canadensis
Solidago gigantea
Solidago missouriensis
Solidago nemoralis

Sonchus asper
Stephanomeria runcinata
Stephanomeria tenuifolia
Tanacetum vulgare*
Taraxacum ceratophorum
Taraxacum officinale*
Townsendia parryi
Tragopogon dubius*

Berber idaceae
Berberis repens

Betulaceae
Alnus incana
Alnus sinuata
Betula occidentalis

Boraginaceae
Cryptantha affinis
Cryptantha celosioides
Cryptantha spiculifera
Cryptantha torreyana
Cynoglossum officinale*
Eritrichium howardii
Hackelia floribunda
Hackelia micrantha
Lappula redowskii
Lithospermum arvense
Lithospermum incisum
Lithospermum ruderale
Mertensia ciliata
Mertensia oblongifolia

Brassicaceae
Alyssura desertorum*
Arabis drummondii
Arabis glabra
Arabis holboellii
Arabis nuttallii
Arabis sparsiflora
Berteroa incana*
Camelina microcarpa*
Capsella bursa-pastoris*
Descurania pinnata
Descurania sophia*
Draba aurea
Draba incerta
Draba nemorosa
Draba cligcsperma
Draba reptans
Erysimum asperum
Erysimum cheiranthoides

106

Erysimum repandum*
Lepidium densiflorum
Lesquerella alpina
Lesquerella klausii
Physaria didymocarpa
Rorippa curvisiliqua
Rorippa islandica
Rorippa obtusa

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum
Sisymbrium altissimum*
Sisymbrium loeselii
Thlaspi arvense*

Cactaceae
Coryphantha missouriensis
Opuntia polyacantha

Callitrichaceae
Callitriche sp.

Campanulaceae
Campanula rotundifolia

Caprifoliaceae
Linnaea borealis
Lonicera utahensis
Sambucus racemosa
Symphoricarpos albus
Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Caryophyllaceae
Arenaria capillaris
Arenaria congesta
Arenaria lateriflora
Arenaria nuttallii
Arenaria obtusiloba
Arenaria rubella
Cerastium arvense
Cerastium nutans
Lychnis alba*
Paronychia sessiliflora
Sagina procumbens
Silene acaulis
Silene antirrhina*
Silene douglasii
Silene noctiflora*
Spergula arvensis*
Spergularia marina*
Spergularia rubra*
Stellaria calycantha
Stellaria longipes
Stellaria obtusa

107

Chenopodiaceae
Chenopodium album*
Chenopodium fremontii
Chenopodium leptophyllum
Chenopodium rubrum
Eurotia lanata
Kochia scoparia*
Monolepis nuttalliana
Salsola kali*

Convolvulaceae
Convolvulus arvensis
Evolvulus nuttallianus

Cornaceae
Cornus stolonifera

Crassulaceae
Sedum lanceolatum
Sedum rosea

Cupressaceae
Juniperus communis
■Tuniperus horizontalis
Juniperus scopulorum

Cyperaceae
Carex aquatilis
Carex athrostachya
Carex aurea
Carex canescens
Carex capillaris
Carex concinna
Carex dioica
Carex disperma
Carex douglasii
Carex elynoides
Carex filifolia
Carex geyeri
Carex haydeniana
Carex hoodii
Carex lanuginosa
Carex lasiocarpus
Carex lenticularis
Carex limosa
Carex microptera
Carex nebrascensis
Carex paysonis
Carex petasata
Carex phaeocephala
Carex raynoldsii
Carex rossii

108

Carex rostrata
Carex rupestris
Carex scopulorvun
Carex sprengelii
Carex vesicaria
Eleocharis acicularis
Eleocharis palustris
Eleocharis pauciflora
Eriophorum chamissonis
Eriophorum polystachion
Scirpus validus

Elaeagnaceae
Shepherdia canadensis

Equisetaceae
Equisetum arvensis
Equisetuin hyemale
Equisetum laevigatum

Ericaceae
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Cassiope mertensiana
Chimaphila menziesii
Chimaphila umbellata
Gaultheria humifusa
Hypopitys monotropa
Ledum glandulosum
Menziesia ferruginea
Phyllodoce empetriformis
Pterospora andromedea
Pyrola asarifolia
Pyrola chlorantha
Pyrola minor (?)
Pyrola secunda
Vaccinium globulare
Vaccinium scoparium

Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia esula*

Fabaceae
Astragalus aboriginum
Astragalus adsurgens
Astragalus agrestis
Astragalus americanus
Astragalus bisulcatus
Astragalus canadensis (?)

Astragalus convallarius var. convallarius
Astragalus crassicarpus
Astragalus drummondii
Astragalus flexuosus

109

Astragalus gilviflorus
Astragalus microcystis
Astragalus miser
Astragalus missouriensis
Astragalus vexillif lexus
Glycerrhiza lepidota
Hedysarvun sulphurescens
Lupinus argenteus
Lupinus sericeus
Medicago lupulina*
Medicago sativa*
Melilotus alba*
Melilotus officinalis*
Oxytropis besseyi
Oxytropis campestris
Oxytropis deflexa
Oxytropis lagopus
Oxytropis sericea
Petalostemon purpureum
Psoralea esculenta
Psoralea tenuiflora
Trifolium pratense*
Trifoliura repens*
Trifolium longipes
Vicia americana

Fumariaceae
Corydalis aurea

Gentianaceae
Frasera speciosa
Gentiana affinis
Gentiana amarella
Gentianella tenella

Geraniaceae
Geranium bicknellii
Geranium carolinianum
Geranium richardsonii
Geranium viscosissimum

Grossulariaceae
Ribes cereum
Ribes irriguum
Ribes lacustre
Ribes montigenum
Ribes setosum
Ribes viscosissimum

Haloragaceae
Myriophyllum spicatum

110

Hippuridaceae
Hippuris vulgaris

Hydrangeaceae
Philadelphus lewisii

Hydrophyllaceae
Hydrophyllum capitatum
Nemophila breviflora
Phacelia hastata
Phacelia heterophylla
Phacelia hispida
Phacelia linearis
Phacelia sericea

Iridaceae
Iris missouriensis
Sisyrinchiuin angustif olium

Isoetaceae
Isoetes bolanderi

Juncaceae
Jnncus balticus
Juncus driunmondii
Juncus effusus
Juncus ensifolius
Juncus hallii
Juncus longistylis
Juncus mertensianus
Juncus nevadensis
Juncus nodosus
Juncus parryi
Juncus tenuis
Luzula C2unpestris
Luzula parviflora
Luzula hitchcockii
Luzula spicata

Lamiaceae
Agastache urticifolia
Dracocephalum parviflorum
Hedeoma drummondii
Hedeoma hispida
Mentha arvensis
Monarda fistulosa
Nepeta cataria*
Prunella vulgaris
Salvia nemorosa*

Liliaceae
Allium brevistylum

Allium cernuum
Allium geyeri
Allium schoenoprasum
Allium textile
Calochortus nuttallii
Disporum trachycarpum
Erythronium grandiflorum
Fritillaria atropurpurea
Fritillaria pudica
Lloydia serotina
Smilacina racemosa
Smilacina stellata
Streptopus amplexifolius
Veratrum viride
Zigadenus elegans
Zigadenus venenosus

Linaceae
Linum lewisii
Linum perenne
Linum rigidum

Loasaceae
Mentzelia albicaulis
Mentzelia decapetalla
Mentzelia dispersa

Malvaceae
Iliamna rivularis
Sphaeralcea coccinea

Menyanthaceae
Menyanthes trifoliata

Najadaceae
Najas flexilis

Onagraceae
Epilobium alpinum
Epilobium angustif olium
Epilobivun glaberrimum
Epilobium paniculatum
Epilobium watsonii
Gaura coccinea
Gayophytvun decipiens
Gayophytum racemosum
Oenothera caespitosa
Oenothera strigosa

Orchidaceae
Calypso bulbosa
Corallorhiza maculata

112

Corallorhiza striata
Corallorhiza wisteriana
Cypripedium montanum
Goodyera oblongifolia
Habenaria dilatata
Habenaria hyperborea
Habenaria saccata
Habenaria unalascensis
Listera caurina
Spiranthes cernua

Orobanchaceae
Orobanche fasciculata

Pinaceae
Abies lasiocarpa
Pinus albicaulis
Pinus contorta
Pinus flexilis
Pinus ponderosa
Picea engelmannii
Pseudotsuga menziesii

Plantaginaceae
Plantago major*
Plantago patagonica

Poaceae
Agropyron caninum
Agropyron cristatuin*
Agrostis dasystachyum
Agropyron intermedium*
Agropyron repens*
Agropyron scribneri
Agropyron smithii
Agropyron spicatum
Agrostis alba*
Agrostis humilis
Agrostis scabra
Alopecurus aequalis
Bouteloua gracilis
Bromus carinatus
Bromus ciliatus
Bromus inermis*
Bromus japonicus*
Bromus tectorum*
Calamagrostis canadensis
Calamagrostis inexpansa
Calamagrostis neglecta
Calamagrostis purpurascens
Calamagrostis rubescens
Catabrosa aquatica

Cinna latifolia

Dactylis glomerata*
Danthonia intermedia
Danthonia unispicata
Deschampsia cespitosa
Elymus canadensis
Elymus cinereus
Elymus glaucus
Festuca idahoensis
Festuca ovina
Festuca scabrella
Glyceria borealis
Glyceria striata
Helectotrichon hookeri
Hierochloe odorata
Hordeum brachyantherum
Hordeum jubatum
Koeleria cristata
Koeleria macrantha
Melica smithii
Melica spectabilis
Melica subulata
Muhlenbergia mexicana
Oryzopsis exigua
Oryzopsis hymenoides
Oryzopsis micrantha
Phalaris arundinacea*
Phleum alpinum
Phleum pratense*
Poa alpina
Poa compressa*
Poa cusickii
Poa interior
Poa palustris*
Poa nervosa
Poa pratensis*
Poa reflexa
Poa rupicola
Poa sandbergii
Poa secunda
Poa scabrella
Puccinellia pauciflora
Sporobolus cryptandrus
Stipa comata
Stipa occidentalis
Stipa richardsonii
Stipa viridula
Trisetum cernuvun
Trisetum spicatum

Polemoniaceae
Collomia linearis

Gilia congesta

Linanthus septentrionalis

Microsteris gracilis
Phlox albomarginata
Phlox hoodii
Phlox multiflora
Phlox pulvinata
Polemonium pulcherrimum

Polygonaceae
Eriogonum flavum
Eriogonum ovalifolium
Eriogonum umbel latum
Polygonum aviculare*
Polygonum bistortoides
Polygonum douglasii var. austinae
Polygonum douglasii var. douglasii
Polygonxim hydropiper
Polygonum majus
Polygonum sawatchense
Oxyria digyna
Rumex acetosella*
Rumex crispus*
Rumex maritimus
Rumex salicifolius

Polypodiaceae
Athyrivun distentifolium
Cheilanthes feei
Cystopteris fragilis
Pellaea glabella
Woodsia oregana

Portulacaceae
Claytonia lanceolata

Lewisia pygmaea
Lewisia rediviva
Montia chamissoi

Potamogetonaceae
Potamogeton gramineus

Primulaceae
Androsace chamaejasme
Androsace filiformis
Androsace septentrionalis
Dodecatheon conjugens
Dodecatheon pulchellum
Douglasia montana
Lysimachia thrysifolia

115

Ranunculaceae
Actaea rubra
Anemone drummondii
Anemone multifida
Anemone occidentalis
Anemone nuttalliana
Clematis columbiana
Clematis hirsutissima
Clematis ligusticif olia
Clematis tenuiloba
Delphinivun andersonii
Delphinium bicolor
Delphinium occidentalis
Ranunculus abortivus
Ranunculus acriformis
Ranunculus aquatilis
Ranunculus eschscholtzii
Ranunculus flammula
Ranunculus ^laberrimus
Ranunculus inamoenus
Ranunculus macounii
Ranunculus sceleratus
Ranunculus uncinatus
Thalictrum occidentale
Trollius laxus

Rhamnaceae
Ceanothus velutinus

Rosaceae
Amelanchier alnifolia
Cercocarpus ledifolius
Crataegus columbiana
Crataegus douglasii
Fragaria vesca
Fragaria virginiana
Geum aleppicum
Geum macrophyllum
Geum rossii
Geum triflorum
Kelseya uniflora
Physocarpus malvaceus
Physocarpus monogynus
Potentilla arguta
Potentilla biennis
Potentilla concinna
Potentilla diversifolia
Potentilla glandulosa
Potentilla gracilis
Potentilla hippiana
Potentilla norvegica*
Potentilla ovina

Potentilla pensylvanica
Prunus virginiana
Purshia tridentata
Rosa sayi
Rosa woodsii
Rubus idaeus
Rubus parviflorus
Sibbaldia procumbens
Sorbus scopulina
Spiraea betulifolia

Rubiaceae
Galium aparine
Galium biflorum
Galium boreale
Galium triflorum

Salicaceae
Populus angustifolia
Populus tremuloides
Populus trichocarpa
Salix arctica
Salix bebbiana
Salix boothii
Salix exigua
Salix lemmonii
Salix planifolia
Salix reticulata
Salix scouleriana
Salix wolfii

Santalaceae
Comandra umbellata

Saxifragaceae
Conimitella williamsii
Heuchera cylindrica
Heuchera parvifolia
Lithophragma parviflora
Mitella stauropetala
Parnassia fimbriata
Parnassia palustris
Saxifraga arguta
Saxifraga bronchialis
Saxifraga integrifolia
Saxifraga occidentalis
Saxifraga oppositif olia
Telesonix jamesii

Scrophulariaceae
Besseya wyomingensis
Castilleja hispida

117

Castilleja miniata
Castilleja pallescens

Castilleja pulchella
Castilleja sulphurea
Collinsia parviflora
Linaria dalmatica*
Linaria vulgaris*
Mimulus guttatus
Mimulus lewisii
Orthocarpus luteus
Orthocarpus tenuifolius
Pedicularis bracteosa
Pedicularis contorta
Pedicularis cystopteridif olia
Pedicularis groenlandica
Penstemon albertinus
Penstemon attenuatus
Penstemon eriantherus
Penstemon montanus
Penstemon nitidus
Penstemon procerus
Penstemon rydbergii
Verbascum thapsus*
Veronica americana
Veronica biloba
Veronica peregrina
Veronica serpyllifolia
Veronica wormskjoldii

Selaginellaceae
Selaginella densa

Solanaceae
Hyoscyamus niger*

Sparganiaceae
Sparganium emersum

Typhaceae
Typha latifolia

Urticaceae
Parietaria pensylvanica
Urtica dioica

Valerianaceae
Valeriana dioica
Valeriana sitchensis

Verbenaceae
Verbena bracteata

Violaceae
Viola adunca
Viola canadensis
Viola nephrophylla
Viola nuttallii
Viola orbiculata

119

APPENDIX 7

PRELIMINARY FLORA OF THE ELKHORN MOUNTAINS,
HELENA NATIONAL FOREST

Nomenclature follows Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973) .
Nomenclature for Salix follows Dorn (1984). Taxa that are bold-
faced were collected. Species followed by an asterisk (*) are
introduced (non-native) .

Aceraceae
Acer glabrum

Amaranthaceae
Amaranthus retroflexus

Anacardiaceae
Rhus trilobata
Toxicodendron rydbergii

Apiaceae
Cymopterus bipinnatus
Heracleum lanatum
Lomatium triternatum
Lomatium spp.
Musineon divaricatum
Osmorhiza claytoni
Osmorhiza depauperata
Osmorhiza occidentalis
Osmorhiza purpurea
Perideridia gairdneri

Apocynaceae
Apocynum androsaemif olium

Asteraceae
Achillea millefolium
Agoseris aurantiaca
Agoseris glauca
Anaphalis margaritacea
Antennaria anaphaloides
Antennaria corymbosa
Antennaria microphylla
Antennaria racemosa
Antennaria rosea
Arnica cordifolia
Arnica latifolia
Arnica longifolia
Artemisia dracunculus
Artemisia frigida
Artemisia ludoviciana

120

Artemisia tridentata

Aster campestris

Aster conspicuous

Aster falcatus

Aster integrifolius

Aster occidentalis

Aster spp.

Balsamorhiza sagittata

Carduus nutans*

Centaurea maculosa*

Chaenactis douglasii

Chrysopsis villosa

Chrysothamnus nauseosus var. graveolens

Chrysothamnus viscidif lorus

Cirsium hookerianum

Cirsium longistylum

Cirsium undulatum

Cirsium vulgare*

Conyza canadensis*

Crepis occidentalis

Erigeron cespitosus

Erigeron compositus

Erigeron rydbergii

Erigeron simplex

Erigeron speciosus

Gaillardia aristata

Grindelia squarrosa

Gutierrezia sarothrae

Haplopappus acaulis

Helianthella uniflora

Hieracium albiflorum

Hieracium gracile

Hymenopappus filifolius

Liatris punctata

Matricaria matricarioides*

Senecio canus

Senecio integerrimus

Senecio megacephalus

Senecio plattensis

Senecio serra

Senecio sphaerocephalus

Senecio triangularis

Solidago missouriensis

Solidago multiradiata

Stephanomeria runcinata

Tanacetum vulgare*

Taraxacum ceratophorum

Taraxacum laevigatum

Taraxacum officinale*

Tetradymia canescens

Trapogon sp.

121

Berber idaceae
Berberis repens

Betulaceae
Alnus sinuata

Boraginaceae
Cryptantha celosioides
Cynoglossum vulgaris*
Lithospermum ruderale
Mertensia ciliata
Mertensia viridis

Brassicaceae
Arabis drummondii
Arabis holboellii
Camelina microcarpa*
Capsella bursa-pastoris*
Cardamine breweri
Cardamine occldentalis
Descurainia sophia*
Draba oligantha
Erysimum asperum
Lepidium densiflorum
Lesquerella alpina
Sisymbrium altissimum
Thelypodium spp.
Thlaspi arvense

Cactaceae
Opuntia polyacantha

Callitrichaceae
Callitriche verna

Campanulaceae
Campanula rotundifolia

Caprifoliaceae
Linnaea borealis
Lonicera utahensis
Sambucus racemosa
Symphoricarpos albus

Caryophyllaceae
Arenaria capillaris

Arenaria congesta var. lithophila
Arenaria nuttallii
Arenaria obtusiloba
Cerastium arvense
Cerastium beeringianum
Cerastium vulgatum

sagina saginoides

Silene douglasii
Silene scouleri
Stellaria monantha

Chenopodiaceae
Chenopodium sp.
Rumex sp.

Cornaceae
Cornus stolonifera

Crassulaceae
Sedvun lanceolatum

Cupressaceae
Juniperus communis
Juniperus scopulorum

Cyperaceae
Carex aquatilis
Carex canescens
Carex diandra
Carex disperma
Carex filifolia
Carex foetida
Carex geyeri
Carex haydeniana
Carex hoodii
Carex illota
Carex lanuginosa
Carex microptera
Carex nebrascensis
Carex oligosperma
Carex rostrata
Carex scopulorum
Eleocharis palustris
Scirpus pungens

Elaeagnaceae
Shepherdia canadensis

Equisetaceae
Equisetura arvense
Equisetum laevigatum

Ericaceae
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Chimaphila umbellata
Hypopitys monotropa
Ledum glandulosum
Phyllodoce empetriformis

Pterospora andromedea
Pyrola asarifolia
Pyrola minor
Pyrola secundiflora
Pyrola uniflora
Vaccinium globulare
Vaccinium scoparium

Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia esula

Fabaceae
Astragalus alpigenus

Astragalus crassicarpus

Astragalus drummondii

Astragalus lotiflorus

Astragalus miser

Hedysarum sulphurescens

Lupinus argenteus

Lupinus spp.

Medicago lupulina

Melilotus officinalis*

Oxytropis besseya

Oxytropis lagopus var. lagopus

Oxytropis sericea

Trifolium pratense*

Trifolium repens*

Vicia americana

Fumariaceae
Corydalis sp.

Gentianaceae
Frasera speciosa
Gentiana affinis
Gentiana calycosa
Gentianella tenella

Geraniaceae
Geranium richardsonii
Geranium viscosissimum

Grossulariaceae
Ribes americana
Ribes cereum
Ribes hendersonii
Ribes inerme

Hydrangeaceae
Philadelphus lewisii

Hydrophyllaceae

Phacelia hastata
Phacelia heterophylla
Phacelia linearis

Iridaceae
Iris missouriensis
Sisyrinchium montanum

Juncaceae
Juncus acuminatus
Juncus balticus
Juncus bufonis
Juncus castanea
Juncus drummondii
Juncus effusus
Juncus ensifolius
Juncus parryi
Juncus tenuis
Luzula parviflora
Luzula spicata

Lamiaceae
Mentha arvensis
Monarda fistulosa

Lemnaceae
Lemna minor

Liliaceae
Allium cernuum
Disporum trachycarpum
Erythronium grandiflorum
Streptopus amplexifolius
Veratrum viride
Zigadenus elegans

Linaceae
Linura lewisii
Linum rigidum

Onagraceae
Epilobium alpinum
Epilobium angustif olium
Epilobium ciliatum
Epilobium glaberrimum
Epilobium watsonii
Gaura coccinea

Orchidaceae
Corallorhiza maculata
Habenaria dilatata
Habenaria saccata

125

Spiranthes romanzof f iana

Orobanchaceae
Orobanche fasciculata

Oxalidaceae
Oxalis corniculata

Pinaceae
Abies lasiocarpa
Picea engelmannii
Pinus albicaulis
Pinus contorta
Pinus flexilis
Pinus ponderosa
Pseudotsuga menziesii

Plantaginaceae
Plantago major
Plantago patagonica

Poaceae
Agrostis scabra
Agropyron caninum
Agropyron secunda
Agropyron spicatum
Bouteloua gracilis
Bromus anomalus
Bromus carinatus
Bromus japonicus
Bromus pumpellianus
Bromus tectorum
Calamagrostis canadensis
Calamagrostis purpurascens
Calamagrostis rubescens
Dactylis glomerata*
Danthonia intermedia
Danthonia unispicata
Deschampsia cespitosa
Deschampsia elongata
Elymus canadensis
Elymus glauca
Festuca idahoensis
Festuca octoflora*
Festuca ovina
Festuca scabrella
Glyceria borealis
Glyceria striata
Hordeum jubatum*
Koeleria cristata
Oryzopsis exigua
Phalaris arundinacea*

126

Phleum pratense*
Poa arctica
Poa interior
Poa pratensis*
Poa scabrella
Poa secunda
Poa trivialis*
Stipa comata
Stipa nelsonii
Stipa occidentalis
Trisetum cernuum
Trisetum spicatum
Trisetum wolfii

Polemoniaceae
Collomia linearis
Iporaopsis congesta
Phlox albomarginata
Phlox hoodii
Phlox multiradiata

Polygonaceae
Eriogonum androsaemif olim
Eriogonum flavum
Eriogonum ovalifolium
Eriogonum vunbellatum
Oxyria digyna

Polygonum douglasii var. douglasii
Polygonum hydropiper
Rumex acetosella*
Rumex crispus
Rumex salicifolius

Polypodiaceae
Athyrium filix-femina
Cryptogramma acrostichoides
Cystopteris fragilis

Portulacaceae
Lewisia pygmaea
Lewisia rediviva

Potamogetonaceae
Potamogeton pectinatum

Primulaceae
Androsace filiformis
Dodecatheon pulchellum
Douglasia montana

Ranunculaceae
Actaea rubra

127

Anemone multifida
Caltha leptosepala

Clematis hirsutissima
Clematis ligusticifolia
Delphinium bicolor
Ranunculus abortivus
Ranunculus acriformis
Ranunculus aquatilis
Ranunculus cymbalaria
Ranunculus eschscholtzii
Thalictrum occidentalis
Thalictrum venulosum

Rosaceae
Dryas octopetala
Fragaria vesca
Fragaria virginiana
Geum macrophyllum
Geum rossii var. turbinatum
Geum triflorum
Ivesia gordonii
Potentilla 'anserina
Potentilla concinna
Potentilla fruticosa
Potentilla glandulosa
Potentilla gracilis
Potentilla hippiana
Potentilla tridentata
Prunus virginiana
Purshia tridentata
Rosa arkansana
Rosa woodsii
Rubus idaeus
Sorbus americana
Spiraea betulifolia

Rubiaceae
Galium boreale
Galium trifidum
Galium triflorum

Salicaceae
Populus angustifolia
Populus tremuloides
Populus trichocarpa
Salix amygdaloides
Salix bebbiana
Salix drummondiana
Salix lutea
Salix planifolia
Salix scouleriana