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MONTANA
STATE

This -cover" page added by the Internet Archive fer formatting purposes

STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECT! ON

V.r ' 1 ^S93

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59620

REPORT ON THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF
Penstemon lemhiensis. A CANDIDATE THREATENED SPECIES:

MONTANA

Taxon Name:

Common Name:

Family:

States Where Taxon Occurs:

Current Federal Status:

Recommended Federal Status:

Author of Report:

Original Date of Report:

Date of Most Recent Revision:

Individual to Whom Further
Information and Comments
Should be Sent:

Penstemon lemhiensis (Keck) Keck &
Cronq.

Lemhi beardtongue

Scrophulariaceae

U.S.A.: Montana, Idaho

USFWS Notice of Review, Category 2

J. Stephen Shelly

8 May 1990

N/A

Lisa Schassberger

Montana Natural Heritage Program

State Library Building

1515 E. 6th Avenue

Helena, MT 59620

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

I. SPECIES INFORMATION

1. Classification and nomenclature 1

2. Present legal or other formal status 2

3. Description 4

4. Significance 7

5. Geographical distribution ..... 7

6. General environment and habitat description 19

7. Population biology of the taxon 25

8. Population ecology of the taxon 35

9. Current land ownership and management responsibility. . 37

10. Management practices and experience 38

11. Evidence of threats to survival 40

II. ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

12. General assessment of vigor, trends, and status .... 42

13. Recommendations for listing or status change 42

14. Recommended critical habitat 43

15. Conservation/recovery recommendations 4 3

16. Interested parties 45

III. INFORMATION SOURCES

17. Sources of information 46

18. Summary of materials on file 48

IV. AUTHORSHIP

19. Initial authorship 48

20. Maintenance of status report 48

V. NEW INFORMATION

21. Record of revisions 48

Literature Cited 49

Appendix A (Element occurrence print-outs) 52

I. SPECIES INFORMATION

1. Classification and nomenclature.

A. Species.

1. Scientific name.

a. Binomial: Penstemon lemhiensis (Keck)
Keck and Cronguist.

b. Full bibliographic citation: Keck, D.D.,
and A. Cronguist. 1957. Studies in
Penstemon - IX. Notes on northwestern
American species. Brittonia 8: 248.

c. Type specimen: Granite Mountain, Lemhi
County, Idaho, July 1, 1937, Ray F. Blair
s.n. (Dudley Herbarium, Stanford
University) .

2. Pertinent synonym: Penstemon speciosus Dougl.
ssp. lemhiensis Keck (Keck 1940) .

3. Common names: Lemhi beardtongue, Lemhi
penstemon.

4. Taxon codes: PDSCR1L3N0 (The Nature
Conservancy); 7764, PENLEM (U.S. Forest
Service, Region 1) .

5. Size of genus: Penstemon lemhiensis is one of
approximately 250 species in the genus; most of
these species occur in the western United
States (Cronguist et al. 1984) .

B. Family classification.

1. Family name: Scrophulariaceae.

2. Pertinent family synonym: None.

3. Common names for the family: Figwort Family,
Snapdragon Family.

C. Major plant group: Dicotyledoneae.

D. History of knowledge of taxon: Penstemon lemhiensis
was first collected in 192 0, in Lemhi County, Idaho,
by E.B. and L.B. Payson (1975, ID). Subseguent
collections from the same county were made by R.F.
Blair in 1936, 1937 and 1938 (Keck 1940), and in

194 6 by Hitchcock and Muhlick (14335, NY) . On the
basis of the Blair specimens, Keck (1940) described
Penstemon speciosus ssp. lemhiensis. The first
collection in Montana was made in 1947 by F.H. Rose
(3502. MONTU) , in Beaverhead County. The first
collection in Ravalli County, Montana, was made by
T.G. and V.C. McCall (352, MONTU) in 1950. These
additional specimens, along with more detailed
information regarding the distribution and
relationships of P. speciosus. substantiated the
need to elevate ssp. lemhiensis to the species level
(Keck and Cronquist 1957) .

During the period 1973-1988, 19 populations were
documented in Lemhi County, Idaho; most of these
were found by Dr. Douglass Henderson, University of
Idaho. In Montana, an early assessment of
threatened and endangered plant species (Watson
1976) reported five populations in Beaverhead
County, Montana. Subsequently, a detailed
ecological study of the species was completed
(Ramstetter 1983) ; four populations in Montana, and
two in Idaho, were studied in detail.

Field surveys in Montana were also conducted in
1986, 1987, and 1989 by the Montana Natural Heritage
Program (MTNHP) . These surveys have been partially
funded by the U.S. Forest Service; funding was also
provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Section 6 Project Agreement SE-5-P-1) . Prior to
1989, P.. lemhiensis had been recently documented
(1986-1988) from 18 sites in Beaverhead County; 12
new sites were located in 1989. One recent report
could not be verified (Medicine Lodge Creek, 022),
and one historical collection (021: "West of Big
Hole Battlefield," 1947, F.H. Rose (3502) . MONTU)
has not been relocated. In Ravalli County, two
historical records were known; it is believed that
the 1989 surveys resulted in the rediscovery of
these populations. Also, two previously unrecorded
populations were found, and one population was
reported to the MTNHP. Thus, P. lemhiensis is
currently known from 35 locations in Montana (30 in
Beaverhead County, five in Ravalli County) .

E. Comments on current alternative taxonomic

treatments: There are no known current alternative
taxonomic treatments.

2. Present legal or other formal status.

A. International: None.

B. National.

1. United States.

a. Present designated or proposed legal
protection or regulation: U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service: Penstemon lemhiensis is
currently included in Category 2 of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of
Review (U.S. Department of Interior 1990),
under consideration for federal listing as
a threatened species. Category 2 taxa are
those "...for which information now in
possession of the Service indicates that
proposing to list them as endangered or
threatened species is possibly
appropriate, but for which substantial
data on biological vulnerability and
threat (s) are not currently known or on
file to support the immediate preparation
of rules."

U.S. Forest Service: P. lemhiensis is
currently included on the U.S. Forest
Service Region 1 sensitive species list
(U.S. Department of Agriculture 1988; Reel
et al. 1989) . Sensitive species are
"...those plant and animal species
identified by the Regional Forester for
which population viability is a concern,
as evidenced by: a.) (s) ignif icant
current or predicted downward trends in
population numbers or density," and/or
"b.) (s) ignif icant current or predicted
downward trends in habitat capability that
would reduce a species' existing
distribution" (Reel et al. 1989) . Through
its inclusion on the Region 1 sensitive
species list, P. lemhiensis has legal
protection under U.S. Forest Service
agency policies (W. Ruediger, pers.
comm. ) .

b. Other current formal status
recommendations: The species is currently
listed as "threatened throughout range"
(global rank = G3) by The Nature
Conservancy.

c. Review of past status: The species was
originally included in the "notice of
consideration" by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service in 1975 (U.S. Department

of Interior 1975) . It was formally placed
in Category 1 in 1980 (U.S. Department of
Interior 1980) . It was placed in Category
2 in 1983, and has retained this status to
date (U.S. Department of Interior 1983,
1985, 1990).

2. State.

a. Montana.

i. Present designated or proposed
legal protection or regulation:
None.

ii. Other current formal status

recommendations: The species is
currently listed as "imperiled
in Montana" (state rank = S2) by
the Montana Natural Heritage
Program (Shelly 1990a) .

iii. Review of past status:
Previously listed as
"recommended threatened" by the
Montana Rare Plant Project
(Lesica et al. 1984) .

b. Idaho.

i. Present designated or proposed
legal protection or regulation:
None.

ii. Other current formal status

recommendations: The species is
currently listed as "imperiled
in Idaho" (state rank = S2) by
the Idaho Natural Heritage
Program (Moseley and Groves
1990) .

iii. Review of past status:

Henderson (1981) recommended
that P. lemhiensis be accorded
federal "threatened" status.

3. Description.

A. General nontechnical description: Penstemon

lemhiensis is a stout herb with stems that are about
15-30 inches tall. The flowers are bright blue to
purple in color, and about 1^-2 inches long. The

basal leaves are entire, with no teeth or lobes, and
are large, being about 3-6 inches long. The stem
leaves are shorter, about 1-4 inches long, and are
opposite. The plants are in flower from early June
to July, depending on weather conditions and
altitude.

B. Technical description: Perennial herb, 3-7 dm. (12-
28 in.) tall, with one-several stout stems from a
branched caudex; herbage often finely hirtellous-
puberulent at least in part; leaves entire, the
basal ones clustered, up to 15-20 cm. (6-8 in.) long
and 1-2.5 cm. (0.4-1 in.) wide, with petiolate,
oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic blades; cauline
leaves sessile, opposite, mostly lanceolate, up to
ca. 10-12 cm. (4-4.8 in.) long and 1-2 cm. (0.4-0.8
in.) wide; inflorescence glabrous, of several-many
loose verticillasters, more or less secund in life;
calyx 7-11 mm. (0.27-0.43 in.) long, the segments
lanceolate to narrowly ovate, evidently but not
strongly scarious-margined below, tapering to a
long-acuminate or subcaudate tip; corolla bright
blue to purplish, 40-55 mm. (1.5-2 in.) long, ca.
1.5 cm. (0.6 in.) wide at the mouth; pollen sacs 1-
3 mm. (0.04-0.12 in.) long, divaricate, evidently
dentate-ciliolate along the sutures, pubescent near
the connective and on side away from dehiscence;
staminode glabrous; capsules ca. 10-15 mm. (0.4-0.6
in.) long; seeds ca. 2-3 mm. (0.08-0.12 in.) long
(adapted from Hitchcock et al. 1959; Dorn 1984).

C. Local field characters: Penstemon lemhiensis is a
tall, conspicuous species; when in full bloom, it is
easy to see during field surveys. The most reliable
distinguishing features include: a.) the large,
bright blue corollas, b.) the sharp, narrow,
elongated tips on the calyx lobes, and c.) the lack
of hairs on the staminode (sterile filament) .
Penstemon lemhiensis is thus very distinctive in
comparison to other species that were frequently
encountered during field surveys (especially P.
aridus. P. procerus, and P. radicosus) . These
latter species are smaller in stature, have smaller
flowers, and differ with respect to the other floral
features.

D. Identifying characteristics of material which is in
interstate or international commerce or trade: No
interstate or international commerce or trade known.

E. Photographs and line drawings: An illustration of
P. lemhiensis is presented in Hitchcock et al.
(1959) . The color slides (p. 6) are duplicates of

Crenel Creek- (<ffi)
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fre*ck Creek. (<f><f><l)

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Le„h. Pass (H>*)

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re <*<Ji bcir\k-

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$ad*er Pass A>'*rHi

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PCAJStE/hoaJ LC/nM£AJSt*>

' P£NSTE~/n*tJ LCMME.fi-

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(4if) 6//*/*

those taken at the sites indicated. Additional
slides from other locations in Montana are housed at
the MTNHP office, Helena, Montana.

4. Significance.

A. Natural: Within the genus Penstejnon, P. lemhiensis
belongs to the subgenus Habroanthus, section Glabri,
series Speciosi (Ramstetter 1983) . The subgenus
contains four other species in the Pacific Northwest
region (P. cyaneus, P. pavettensis. P. pennellianus,
and P. speciosus) ; of these, only the first two also
occur in Montana. Although they are superficially
similar, these species are "technically well-marked
taxa which occupy distinctive and hardly overlapping
geographic areas" (Hitchcock et al. 1959) . Thus, P.
lemhiensis would be an important taxon in
biosystematic studies that address the relationships
within the subgenus Habroanthus. Also, studies
adressing the pollination biology of P. lemhiensis
indicate close relationships with certain insects,
especially Pseudomasaris vespoides (Ramstetter
1983) . Otherwise, P. lemhiensis is not known to
have any peculiar adaptations or structures, or
roles in stabilizing landforms. Obligate
relationships with other species are unknown.

B. Human: As discussed, P.. lemhiensis would be of
scientific significance in biosystematic studies
addressing its relationships within the genus.
Because of its striking stature and beauty, it also
has high horticultural potential. Otherwise, the
species has no known agricultural, economic, or
other human uses or significance at this time.

5. Geographical distribution.

A. Geographical range: Penstemon lemhiensis is
currently known from a total of 54 occurrences: 19
in Idaho (Lemhi County) , and 35 in Montana (30 in
Beaverhead County, five in Ravalli County) . It is
historically known from four locations in Lemhi
County, Idaho, and one location in Beaverhead
County, Montana. The range of the species in
Montana is indicated in Figure 1, p. 8.

B. Precise occurrences.

1. Populations currently known to be extant
(Montana): Table 1, pp. 9-16, lists
populations currently known in Montana.

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TABLE 1. Populations currently known extant in Montana, listed by county and occurrence number.

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY

Occurrence number: 001
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: ARGENTA

Elevation:
Subsection/additional sections:

Latitude: 451818 Longitude: 1125545

Township & Range: 006S011W Section: 15

USGS Quad: ERHONT

Size: 7.5 minute series

Year of initial discovery: 1976

Directions: S. PIONEER MOUNTAINS, N. SIDE OF BLACK MOUNTAIN ROAD

(8EAVERHEAD N.F. RD. 2400), 0.2 MI. U. OF RATTLESNAKE CR
ROAD (N.F. RD. 192), CA. 4 AIR MI. UNU. OF ARGENTA.

6700
SE4;22,NE4;23,NU4NW4

Date of most recent observation: 1988

Occurrence number: 002
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: TRAIL CREEK

Latitude: 445733 Longitude: 1132132
Township & Range: 010S014W Section: 18
USGS Quad: EVERSON CREEK

LEMHI PASS
Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1970
Directions: TRAIL CREEK, ALONG ROAD TO LEMHI

3909.2), CA. 3.5-4.5 AIR MI. ESE

Elevation:
Subsect ion/ additional sections:

Date of most recent observation:
PASS (BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD.
OF LEMHI PASS.

6520

S2,17SU4,19NU4;T10SR15U:24NE4

1989-06-29

Occurrence number: 003
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: LEMHI PASS

Elevation:
Subsection/additional sections:

Latitude: 445757 Longitude: 1132538
Township & Range: 010S015U Section: 15
USGS Quad: LEMHI PASS

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1983
Directions: NORTH SIDE OF LEMHI PASS ROAD (BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD. 3909.2),
1.0-1.6 AIR MILES SE. OF LEMHI PASS, CA. 1.4-2.0 MILES WEST
OF SELUAY RANCH.

6960
SE4NU4,NE4SE4,14SU4

Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29

Occurrence number: 005
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: BADGER PASS

Latitude: 451254 Longitude: 1125626
Township & Range: 007S011U Section: 22
USGS Quad: BANNACK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1972
Directions: 1.45 AIR MILES SSE. OF BADGER PASS, ADJACENT TO MICROWAVE

TOWER ON GRAVEL ROAD 1.3 AIR HI. S. OF BIG HOLE ROAD (ST.

HWY. 278), CA. 4.5 AIR MI. NNE. OF BANNACK.

Elevation: 7260
Subsection/additional sections: N2NW4

Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-14

Occurrence number: 006
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD

Latitude: 453842 Longitude: 1133919
Township & Range: 002S017W Section: 24
USGS Quad: BIG HOLE BATTLEFIELD

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1976
Directions: BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD, 9 MILES WEST OF WISDOM ON ST
HWY. 43.

Elevation: 6320
Subsect ion/ additional sections: W2SE4,13SW4,23SE4

Date of most recent observation: 1986-07-08

TABLE 1. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 008 Site name: JOHNSON GULCH

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 445217 Longitude: 1125858 Elevation: 6500

Township & Range: 011S011U Section: 18 Subsection/additional sections: SE4
USGS Quad: DEER CANYON

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1984 Date of most recent observation: 1984-07-06

Directions: NORTH SIDE OF JOHNSON GULCH, ALONG THE ROAD CA. 10 HI. SE.
OF GRANT.

Occurrence number: 009 Site name: FRENCH CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 451932 Longitude: 1125435 Elevation: 7000

Township & Range: 006S011W Section: 11 Subsect ion/ additional sections: E2,14NE4NW4,2SE4SE4,1W2SW4

USGS Quad: ERHONT

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1986 Date of most recent observation: 1989-07-27

Directions: PIONEER MOUNTAINS, SLOPES ALONG WEST SIDE OF FRENCH CREEK,

ALONG THE FRENCH CREEK-THIEF CREEK ROAD (BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD.

#606) 4 AIR MILES NU. OF ARGENTA; ALSO, MOUTH OF RED GULCH.

Occurrence number: 010 Site name: quartz HILL GULCH

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 454305 Longitude: 1125509 Elevation: 8000

Township & Range: 001S011U Section: 26 Subsection/additional sections: E2SE4
USGS Quad: VIPOND PARK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1986 Date of most recent observation: 1986-07-08

Directions: HEAD OF QUARTZ HILL GULCH, ALONG BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD. 187;
0.7 AIR MILES ENE. OF GRAY JOCKEY PEAK, CA. 5 AIR MI. SSE.
OF WISE RIVER, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

Occurrence number: 011 Site name: ECHO GULCH

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 454231 Longitude: 1125445 Elevation: 8100

Township & Range: 001S011U Section: 36 Subsection/additional sections: U2.35E2SE4
USGS Quad: VIPOND PARK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1986 Date of most recent observation: 1986-07-08

Directions: NEAR HEAD OF ECHO GULCH, SLOPES 0-0.5 AIR MI. N. OF VIPOND

PARK, ALONG BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD. 187; 0.5-0.75 AIR MI. W. AND

SU. OF QUARTZ HILL, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

Occurrence number: 012 Site name: RED BUTTE

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 451908 Longitude: 1125600 Elevation: 6800

Township & Range: 006S011U Section: 15 Subsection/additional sections: NE4.10S2
USGS Quad: ERMONT

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1986 Date of most recent observation: 1989-07-27

Directions: CA. 4.5 AIR MI. NU. OF ARGENTA, CENTERED 0.5 AIR MI. ESE. OF

RED BUTTE, RATTLESNAKE CREEK DRAINAGE CA. 1 MI . SE. OF KELLY

RESERVOIR, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

TABLE 1. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 013
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: BLACK MOUNTAIN ROAD

Elevation:
Subsection/additional sections:

Latitude: 451749 Longitude: 1125745
Township & Range: 006S011W Section: 21
USGS Quad: ERHONT

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1986
Directions: CA. 5 AIR MI WNW. OF ARGENTA, ALONG BLACK MOUNTAIN ROAD

(BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD. #2400) CA. 3 AIR MI. SSE. OF BLACK

MOUNTAIN, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

7200
W2SE4NE4.20SE4SE4

Date of most recent observation: 1986-06-20

Occurrence number: 014
County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 451603

Site name: ERMONT GULCH

Longitude: 1125646

Elevation: 6740
Subsection/additional sections: NE4SE4.34W2

Township & Range: 006S011W Section: 33
USGS Quad: ERMONT

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1986 Date of most recent observation:

Directions: CA 4.3 AIR MI. USU. OF ARGENTA, ALONG BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD.

#7467 AT HEAD OF ERMONT GULCH, CA. 2.2 AIR MI. N. OF BADGER

PASS, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

1989-07-27

Occurrence number: 015
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: ROBERTS GULCH

Elevation:
Subsection/additional sections:

Latitude: 450025 Longitude: 1131908
Township & Range: 009S014U Section: 33
USGS Quad: COYOTE CREEK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1986 Date of most recent observation:

Directions: MOUTH OF ROBERTS GULCH, CA. 1 AIR MI. NW. OF BLOOOY DICK

CREEK, CA. 12.5 AIR MI. WEST OF GRANT AND 6.5 AIR MI. ENE.

OF LEMHI PASS.

6520
N2SE4

1986-06-22

Occurrence number: 016
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: TRAPPER CREEK

Latitude: 453913 Longitude: 1125154
Township & Range: 002S010U Section: 20
USGS Quad: CATTLE GULCH

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1987
Directions: PIONEER MOUNTAINS, TRAPPER CREEK DRAINAGE, ALONG BEAVERHEAD

N.F. RD. #188; ABOUT 10 MILES WEST OF MELROSE; ABOUT 1 AIR

MILE SSE. OF ORE CAMP HILL.

Elevation: 6800
Subsection/ additional sections: W2SE4

Date of most recent observation: 1987-06-16

Occurrence number: 017
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: BROUNES LAKE

Elevation: 6650
Subsection/additional sections: S2SW4

Latitude: 453131 Longitude: 1124947
Township & Range: 003S010W Section: 34
USGS Quad: STORM PEAK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1987
Directions: PIONEER MOUNTAINS, ROCK CREEK DRAINAGE, ALONG ROCK CREEK

ROAD ABOUT 6 MILES WEST OF 1-15, NEAR WEST END OF BROWNES

LAKE.

Date of most recent observation: 1987-06-17

TABLE 1. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 018 Site name: KEARNS CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 451853 Longitude: 1125651 Elevation: 6900

Township & Range: 006S011U Section: 16 Subsection/additional sections: NE4,15N2SW4,S2NU4

USGS Quad: ERMONT

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1987 Date of most recent observation: 1988

Directions: PIONEER MOUNTAINS, KEARNS CREEK, ADJACENT TO SILVER RULE

MINE; ABOUT 0.5 AIR MILE SOUTHWEST OF RED BUTTE; ABOUT 0.75

AIR MILE WEST OF RATTLESNAKE CREEK.

Occurrence number: 019 Site name: BADGER PASS NORTH

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 451437 Longitude: 1125648 Elevation: 6980

Township & Range: 007S011U Section: 09 Subsection/additional sections: NE4NE4,10NW4,3SU4

USGS Ouad: BANNACK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1987 Date of most recent observation: 1989-07-28

Directions: SOUTHERN PIONEER MOUNTAINS, 0.7-1.2 AIR MILES NNE. OF BADGER
PASS; ABOUT 15 AIR MILES WEST OF DILLON.

Occurrence number: 020 Site name: SELWAY CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 450647 Longitude: 1132524 Elevation: 7200

Township & Range: 008S015U Section: 27 Subsection/additional sections: SU4NE4
USGS Ouad: KITTY CREEK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1987 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29

Directions: BLOODY DICK CREEK DRAINAGE, SLOPES ABOVE SELUAY CREEK, ABOUT

2 MILES SOUTHEAST OF RESERVOIR LAKE; ABOUT 4 MILES EAST OF

MONTANA-IDAHO STATE LINE.

Occurrence number: 022 Site name: MEDICINE LODGE CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 444359 Longitude: 1130224 Elevation: 6970

Township & Range: 013S012U Section: 03 Subsection/additional sections: SE4NE4.NE4SE4
USGS Ouad: TEPEE MOUNTAIN

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1987 Date of most recent observation: 1987- -

Directions: MEDICINE LODGE CREEK DRAINAGE, 0.15 AIR MILES WNU OF

CONFLUENCE OF MEDICINE LODGE AND HILDRETH CREEKS, CA. 19 AIR

MILES SOUTH OF GRANT.

Occurrence number: 023 Site name: MINER CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 452017 Longitude: 1133135 Elevation: 7080

Township & Range: 006S016W Section: 02 Subsection/additional sections: SE4
USGS Ouad: MINER LAKE

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-30

Directions: BICHOLE VALLEY, CA. 6 MILES SOUTHUEST OF JACKSON, NORTH OF
F.S. ROAD 182.

TABLE 1. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 024 Site name: FROG CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 450203 Longitude: 1131959 Elevation: 7280

Township & Range: 009S0HU Section: 21 Subsection/additional sections: SW4
USGS Quad: COYOTE CREEK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29

Directions: HORSE PRAIRIE, CA. 1 MILE NORTHWEST OF HORSE PRAIRIE GUARD
STATION.

Occurrence number: 025 Site name: BRISTON LANE

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 453145 Longitude: 1133208 Elevation: 6260

Township & Range: 003S016U Section: 35 Subsection/ additional sections: NE4,S2
USGS Quad: HIGHLAND RANCH

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-30

Directions: CA. 5.5 MILES SSW OF WISDOM. CA. 3.5 MILES ALONG BRISTON
LANE, JUST WEST OF THE ROAD.

Occurrence number: 026 Site name: SWAMP CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 453607 Longitude: 1133446 Elevation: 6260

Township & Range: 003S016W Section: 04 Subsection/additional sections: E2
USGS Quad: HIGHLAND RANCH

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-30

Directions: BIGHOLE VALLEY, CA. 5.2 MILES WEST OF WISDOM, ALONG SWAMP
CREEK RD., SOUTH OF ROAD.

Occurrence number: 027 Site name: HORSE PRAIRIE GUARD STATION

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 450117 Longitude: 1131839 Elevation: 6690

Township & Range: 009S014W Section: 27 Subsection/ additional sections: NW4SW4
USGS Ouad: COYOTE CREEK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29

Directions: HORSE PRAIRIE, CA. 0.5 MILES SE OF HORSE PRAIRIE GUARD
STATION.

Occurrence number: 028 Site name: BLOCOY DICK CREEK I

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 450017 Longitude: 1132132 Elevation: 6600

Township & Range: 009S014W Section: 31 Subsection/additional sections: W2,SE4;T10SR14W:5NW4

USGS Quad: COYOTE CREEK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29

Directions: HORSE PRAIRIE, ALONG BLOODY DICK CREEK, CA. 7.1 MILES WEST
OF RED BUTTE.

TABLE 1. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 029
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site name: BLOOOY DICK CREEK II

Latitude: 445947 Longitude: 1132048
Township & Range: 010S014W Section: OS
USGS Quad: EVERSON CREEK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989
Directions: HORSE PRAIRIE, CA. 5.1 MILES WEST OF RED BUTTE, ALONG BLOOOY
DICK CREEK ROAD.

Elevation: 4440
Subsection/additional sections: NW4;4N2

Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29

Site name: POLARIS

Longitude: 1130715

Occurrence number: 032
County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 452237

Township & Range: 005S012U Section: 30

USGS Quad: POLARIS

Size: 15 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989 Date of most recent observation:

Directions: GRASSHOPPER CREEK RD., CA. 0.5 MILES NORTH OF POLARIS, CA.

0.1 MILE NORTH OF GRASSHOPPER CREEK CROSSING, IMMEDIATELY

NORTH OF GRAVEL PIT.

Elevation: 6400
Subsection/additional sections: NE4NE4.19SE4SE4

1989-06-28

Occurrence number: 033
County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 452428

Township & Range: 005S012U

USGS Quad: POLARIS

Size: 15 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989
Directions: GRASSHOPPER CREEK RD
CREST OF HILL.

Longitude: 1130659
Section: 08

Site name: SHALE CREEK

Elevation: 6560
Subsection/ additional sections: SU4SU4

Date of most recent observation:
CA. 2.5 MILES NORTH OF POLARIS, ON

1989-06-28

Occurrence number: 034
County: BEAVERHEAD

Site

BLOOOY DICK CREEK III

Elevation: 6600
Subsection/additional sections: SU4

Latitude: 450102 Longitude: 1132318
Township 4 Range: 009S015W Section: 25
USGS Quad: KITTY CREEK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989
Directions: BLOOOY DICK CREEK RD., CA. 0.75 MILE SOUTH OF EAST PETERSON
CREEK.

Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29

Occurrence number: 035
County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 450250

Township & Range: 009S015U

USGS Quad: KITTY CREEK

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989
Directions: BLOODY DICK CREEK RD
SOUTH OF DUTCH CREEK

Longitude: 1132430
Section: 14

Site name: DUTCH CREEK

CA,

Elevation: 6760
Subsection/additional sections: SW4.23NE4

Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29
0.25 MILE NORTH AND 0.3 MILE

TABLE 1. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 036 Site name: BLANCHARD POND

County: BEAVERHEAD

Latitude: 451603 Longitude: 1132630 Elevation: 6880

Township & Range: 006S015W Section: 33 Subsection/additional sections: NE4SE4
USGS Quad: JACKSON

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-30

Directions: BIG HOLE RIVER DRAINAGE, SKINNER MEADOWS RD., CA. 6.5 MILES
SSU OF JACKSON.

RAVALLI COUNTY

Occurrence number: 004 Site name: NORTH FORK RYE CREEK

County: RAVALLI

Latitude: 455855 Longitude: 1140204 Elevation: 4320

Township & Range: 003N020W Section: 25 Subsection/ additional sections: NU4SU4,SW4NW4
USGS Quad: ROBBINS GULCH

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1952 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-26

Directions: WESTERN FOOTHILLS OF THE SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, NORTH FORK RYE

CREEK DRAINAGE, EAST SIDE OF BITTERROOT N.F. RD. #321, 0.2

AND 0.35 MILES NORTH OF RYE CREEK RD. (#75), CA. 7.5 AIR

MILES ESE OF DARBY.

Occurrence number: 007 Site name: MEDICINE TREE CREEK

County: RAVALLI

Latitude: 455426 Longitude: 1140459 Elevation: 4150

Township & Range: 002N020W Section: 21 Subsection/additional sections: NE4SE4.SW4NE4
USGS Quad: ROBBINS GULCH

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1950 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29

Directions: EAST FORK BITTERROOT RIVER DRAINAGE, NORTH SIDE OF U.S. HWY.

93, 0.1 MI. WEST OF MEDICINE TREE CREEK, AND 0.3 AIR MI.

NORTHWEST OF HWY. BRIDGE OVER CREEK, CA. 2.5 MILES SOUTHEAST

OF CONNER.

Occurrence number: 030 Site name: SPRING GULCH

County: RAVALLI

Latitude: 455925 Longitude: 1140116 Elevation: 5200

Township & Range: 003N020W Section: 24 Subsection/ additional sections: SE4SE4
USGS Quad: ROBBINS GULCH

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989 Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-27

Directions: WESTERN FOOTHILLS OF SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, RYE CREEK DRAINAGE,

SPRING GULCH, 1.15 AIR MILES NORTHEAST OF CONFLUENCE OF RYE

CREEK AND NORTH FORK RYE CREEK, CA. 8 AIR MILES ESE OF

DARBY.

TABLE 1. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 031
County: RAVALLI

Site name: ROBBINS GULCH

Latitude: 455547 Longitude: 1140548

Township & Range: 002M020W Section: 16

USGS Quad: ROBBINS GULCH

Size: 7.5 minute series

Year of initial discovery: 1989

Directions: WESTERN FOOTHILLS OF SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, EAST FORK
BITTERROOT RIVER DRAINAGE, ROBBINS GULCH, NORTH OF
BITTERROOT N.F. RD. #446, CA. 1 MILE NORTHEAST OF U.S.
93.

Elevation: 4500
Subsection/additional sections: N2NW4.9SE4SW4

Date of most recent observation: 1989-06-29

HWY.

Occurrence number: 037
County: RAVALLI

Site name: UOOOS CREEK

Latitude: 453344 Longitude: 1142055
Township 2 Range: 003S022W Section: 20
USGS Quad: PAINTED ROCKS LAKE (15)

Size: 7.5 minute series
Year of initial discovery: 1989

Elevation: 5440
Subsection/additional sections: 19,21

Date of most recent observation: 1989-

Directions: WOOOS CREEK, PAST PAINTED ROCKS RESERVOIR.

2. Populations known or assumed extirpated
(Montana): Prior to 1989, two historical
records were known in Ravalli County:

a. 1950: T.G. & V.C. McCall (352). MONTU
(49394), "(b)etween Conner and Sula, on
rocky hillside above river."

b. 1952: J.C. Wright s.n. . MONT, "10 miles
east of Darby, Sapphire Mountains
foothills, sandy granitic soil, ponderosa
pine zone."

These areas were emphasized during field
surveys in 1989. Although the original label
data from both collections are general in
nature, it is believed that both collection
sites, or populations very near to them, were
rediscovered. The element occurrence print-
outs for these sites (007 and 004,
respectively) are provided on pp. 59 and 56.

3. Historically known populations where current
status is not known: In Montana, one
population in Beaverhead County (Medicine Lodge
Creek, 022; see p. 74) has been reported by J.
Christensen (Beaverhead National Forest) .
Surveys adjacent to this location did not
reveal any populations (L. Schassberger, MTNHP,
pers. comm.); access to the site itself was not
possible because permission to cross private
land could not be obtained.

Another population in Beaverhead County,
Montana (021; see p. 73) is based on the
following specimen:

a. 1947: Frank H. Rose (3502) . MONTU
(092520), "(w)est of Big Hole
Battlefield."

Although P. lemhiensis is recently documented
from the Big Hole National Battlefield proper,
surveys have not yet been conducted in areas
west of the battlefield. It is likely,
however, that the species is extant in this
area.

Four records in Idaho are based on historical
collections, taken in 1920, 1937, 1938, and
1946; details on these collections are
available from the Idaho Natural Heritage
Program.

4. Locations not yet investigated believed likely
to support additional natural populations: The
following areas in Beaverhead County, Montana
may support populations: Big Hole Divide,
south of Big Hole Pass; west Pioneer Mountains,
including the upper Grasshopper Creek and Wise
River drainages; east slope of the Beaverhead
Mountains, between Jackson and Wisdom.

In southern Ravalli County, potential habitat
exists at low to mid-elevations in most major
drainages; a recent report from the Woods Creek
drainage (036; tributary of the West Fork
Bitterroot River) substantiates the need for
additional surveys in this region. However, P.
lemhiensis may in fact be relatively rare here;
the four Ravalli County populations located
during 1989 surveys were widely scattered, and
three of these were very small in size.

5. Reports having ambiguous or incomplete locality
information: None known.

6. Locations known or suspected to be erroneous
reports: None known.

C. Biogeographical and phylogenetic history: The

diversity of habitat types occupied by P. lemhiensis
is fairly wide, which is unique considering the
narrow geographic range of the species. In Montana,
the known populations occur at elevations from 4,150
feet along the East Fork of the Bitterroot River, to
8,100 feet in the northeastern Pioneer Mountains.
As a result, the plant communities with which P.
lemhiensis is associated are highly varied. At the
lowest elevations in Ravalli County it occurs in dry
foothills habitats, and is associated with Pinus
ponderosa and Purshia tridentata. Most of the known
sites in Beaverhead County, however, are associated
with Artemisia tridentata and various bunchgrasses,
especially Agropyron spicatum and Festuca
idahoensis; the majority of these populations are
very close to, and often extend into, the lower
edges of the Pseudotsuga menziesii forest zone. The
sites at the highest known elevations in Montana,
near Vipond Park in the northeastern Pioneer
Mountains, are actually associated with Pinus
contorta, and occur in moist forb meadows and on
open slopes. This wide ecological tolerance, in a
species with a narrow geographic distribution,
suggests that the range of P. lemhiensis may be most
closely related to its evolutionary history, since
it is apparently not strictly confined to a single

19
^ vegetation type or unusual geologic substrate.

Within the subgenus Habroanthus, P. lemhiensis is
one of five closely related species occurring in the
Pacific Northwest region; these also include P.
cyaneus. P. payettensis. P. pennellianus. and P.
speciosus. Of these latter four, only the first two
also occur in Montana. Although they are
superficially similar, these species are
"technically well-marked taxa which occupy
distinctive and hardly overlapping geographic areas"
(Hitchcock et al. 1959) . The above ecological and
systematic observations suggest that a common
ancestor may have given rise, through adaptive
radiation, to this complex of regional endemics.
Alternatively, it has been hypothesized that P.
lemhiensis arose via hybridization between P.
cyaneus and P. speciosus, followed by segregation
and isolation (Keck 1940) . Chromosome counts for
all of these species would be useful in evaluating
this possibility (Ramstetter 1983); P. speciosus
appears to be a diploid species with n = 8, but
chromosome counts for the other species have not
been published (Clark 1971) .

t 6. General environment and habitat description.

A. Concise statement of general environment and
habitat: In Montana, P. lemhiensis occurs
predominantly on moderate to steep, east- to
southwest-facing slopes, often in open soil areas.
At some sites, the populations occur partially or
wholly on roadbanks. The populations are found on
several geologic substrates, including granite and
limestone. Associated vegetation types are most
often dominated by Artemisia tridentata and
bunchgrasses, including Agropyron spicatum and
Festuca idahoensis; P. lemhiensis is also associated
with Pinus ponderosa/Purshia tridentata. Pseudotsuga
mejTziesii, and Pinus contorta forest types in parts
of its range. The populations in Montana occur at
elevations from 4,150 to 8,100 feet.

B. Physical characteristics.
1. Climate.

a. Koppen climate classification: Type Dfb
(Canadian climate) , with snowy winters and
moderately warm summers (Visher 1954) .

b. Regional macroclimate: The climate of
m southwestern Montana can generally be

classified as cool and dry, with locally
greater amounts of precipitation in the
mountains; there are numerous summer
thunderstorms. For the distributional
area of P. lemhiensis in Montana, the
nearest, climatological stations are
located' in Darby (1180 m (3880 ft.)),
Dillon (1590 m (5215 ft.)), and Wisdom
(1850 m (6068 ft.)). Data for the period
1951-1980 are provided by the U.S.
Department of Commerce (1982) . At Darby,
the mean annual precipitation was 40.11 cm
(15.79 in.); the mean annual temperature
was 7.44°C (45.4°F), and the mean July
maximum temperature was 28.83°C (83.9°F).
At Dillon, the mean annual precipitation
was 24.21 cm (9.53 in.); the mean annual
temperature was 5.9'C (42. 6* F), and the
mean July maximum temperature was 2 8.5°C
(83.3'F). At Wisdom, the mean annual
precipitation was 29.06 cm (11.44 in.);
the mean annual temperature was 1.7'C
(35.1*F), and the mean July maximum
temperature was 25.7'C (78.2'F).

c. Local microclimate: Penstemon lemhiensis
generally occurs on open slopes with east
to southwest exposures. These sites are
likely to have comparatively warm
microclimates .

2. Air and water quality requirements: Unknown.

3. Physiographic province: The range of P.
lemhiensis lies in the Rocky Mountains and
Idaho batholith provinces, within the Rocky
Mountain System, as mapped by Hunt (1974) .

4. Physiographic and topographic characteristics:
The geologic structure of southwestern Montana
is highly complex, consisting of many types of
sedimentary and igneous rocks. The major
formations with which P. lemhiensis is
associated include the intrusive granitic rocks
of the Idaho batholith, Cenozoic Tertiary
sediments of the Willow Creek formation, the
Precambrian Upper Belt formations of the Piegan
and Missoula groups, and the Paleozoic
Mississippian, Pennsylvanian, and Permian
formations (Perry 1962) .

The Big Hole Basin appears to be underlain by
Tertiary lake beds; these beds are generally

overlain by bench gravels of Pleistocene age
and by glaciofluvial alluvium on the broad
bottom lands. In the vicinity of Sula in the
upper Bitterroot River drainage, most of the
rock exposed near the drainage bottoms is
granitic; some pre-Cambrian sedimentary and
Tertiary volcanic rocks are exposed in places.
The bottom lands in this area are alluvium
(Alden 1953) .

In Montana, populations of P. lemhiensis are
most often found on steep, east- to southwest-
facing slopes. A few sites have been found on
northeast- and northwest-facing slopes. In a
few locations (i.e., Trail Creek (002), Big
Hole Battlefield (006) ) , the populations occur
partially on level ground. For four sites
studied in Montana, Ramstetter (1983) found the
slopes to range from 20-45%.

The recently verified sites in Montana range
from 1265 m (4,150 ft.) to 2470 m (8,100 ft.)
in elevation.

In Montana, P. lemhiensis occurs in the
Beaverhead, Big Hole, Bitterroot, and Red Rock
river drainages. These areas are within
hydrologic unit numbers 10020002, 10020004,
17010205, and 10020001, respectively, as mapped
by the U.S. Geological Survey (1980) .

5. Edaphic factors: Within appropriate habitat,
Penstemon lemhiensis prefers areas that are
more sparsely vegetated. The soils in these
microhabitats are often very gravelly.
However, the soil texture is highly variable;
P. lemhiensis has been found in soils ranging
from fine clay to sand (Ramstetter 1983) .
During the course of field surveys by the MTNHP
from 1986 to 1989, the species has been found
most often in soil areas characterized as
gravelly loams.

Ramstetter (1983) obtained measurements of soil
moisture content from three sites at the Big
Hole National Battlefield population. The
percent water in soil (fresh-dry weight/dry
weight) ranged from 7 to 22 percent, at a soil
depth of 20 cm, on 2 July 1982. On 28 August
1982, these values ranged from 4 to 7 percent.

Penstemon lemhiensis is not restricted to any
particular geological substrate; known sites

have been found on granitic soils, as well as
limestone and other sedimentary substrates.

6. Dependence of this taxon on natural
disturbance: It appears that P. lemhiensis has
some degree of adaptation to natural
disturbance, as evidenced by its ecological
preference for more open microhabitats, i.e.,
rock outcrop areas and steep rocky slopes with
some natural soil slippage.

7. Other unusual physical features: None
observed.

C. Biological characteristics.

1. Vegetation physiognomy and community structure:
In Montana, P. lemhiensis is associated with
a.) sagebrush-bunchgrass steppe, b.) savanna-
like pine-shrub communities, c.) temperate
evergreen conifer forests dominated by trees
with more or less conical crowns, and d.)
ecotones between the steppe and conifer forest
types.

2. Regional vegetation types: Penstemon
lemhiensis occurs in four climax vegetation
types as mapped by Ross and Hunter (1976): a.)
Subalpine fir/Douglas-fir/Ponderosa Pine climax
forest, b.) Subalpine fir/Douglas-fir climax
forest, c.) Silty Range site, 10-14"
precipitation zone, with bluebunch wheatgrass,
prairie junegrass, etc., and d.) Silty Range
site, 15-19" precipitation zone, with Idaho
fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass, etc. The range
of the species lies largely within the Douglas-
fir Forest Section of the Rocky Mountain Forest
Province, with a minor portion in the Cedar-
Hemlock-Douglas-f ir Forest Section of the
Columbia Forest Province, as mapped by Bailey
(1976) .

3. Frequently associated species: In Beaverhead
County, Montana, Penstemon lemhiensis generally
occurs in areas below or near the lower tree
line of forests dominated by Pseudotsuga
menziesii and/or Pinus contorta. The
associated vegetation is most often dominated
by Artemisia tridentata and bunchgrasses,
including Agropyron spicatum and Festuca
idahoensis. Other native plant species
associated with P. lemhiensis at one or more
locations include:

Achillea millefolium (common yarrow)
Antennaria microphvlla (rosy pussytoes)
Artemisia friqida (fringed sagewort)
Aster stenomeres (northwest aster)
Astragalus miser (weedy milkvetch)
Balsamorhiza sagittata (arrowleaf balsamroot)
Berberis repens (creeping oregongrape)
Chrvsothamnus nauseosus (common rabbit-brush)
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (green rabbit-
brush)
Comandra umbellata (bastard toad-flax)
Eriogonum umbel latum (sulphur buckwheat)
Geranium viscosissimum (sticky geranium)
Geum triflorum (old man's whiskers)
Helianthella quinquenervis (nodding

helianthella)
Juniperus communis (common juniper)
Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper)
Koeleria cristata (prairie junegrass)
Lupinus leucophyllus (velvet lupine)
Lupinus sericeus (silky lupine)
Pedicularis contorta (coiled-beak lousewort)
Penstemon aridus (stiff-leaf penstemon)
Penstemon procerus (littleflower penstemon)
Penstemon radicosus (mat-root penstemon)
Phacelia heterophylla (varileaf phacelia)
Phacelia linearis (threadleaf phacelia)
Poa secunda (Sandberg's bluegrass)
Rosa woodsii (woods rose)
Sedum borschii (Borsch's stonecrop)
Sedum lanceolatum (lance-leaved stonecrop)
Senecio canus (woolly groundsel)
Sitanion hystrix (bottlebrush squirreltail)
Townsendia parryi (Parry's townsendia)

Additional associated species reported by
Ramstetter (1983) include:

Castilleia spp. (paintbrush)

Collinsia parvif lora (small-flowered blue-eyed

Mary)
Erigeron compositus (cut-leaved daisy)
Frasera albicaulis (white-stemmed frasera)
Hieracium cynoglossoides (houndstongue

hawkweed)
Lithospermum ruderale (wayside gromwell)
Orthocarpus tenuifolius (thin-leaved owl

clover)
Potentilla gracilis (northwest cinquefoil)

Associated introduced species include:

Bromus inermis (smooth brome)
Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass brome)
Cynoglossum officinale (common hound 's-tongue)
Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass)
Tragopogon dubius (yellow salsify)

The sites occurring at the highest elevations
(Quartz Hill Gulch (010), Echo Gulch (Oil)), in
the northeastern Pioneer Mountains, occur in
openings in forests dominated by Pinus
contorta , and to a lesser extent, Pseudotsuga
menziesii. Artemisia tridentata is not an
associated species at these locations. These
openings are dominated by forb species, most
notably Astragalus miser. Pedicularis contorta,
and Townsendia parryi. These two sites are
ecologically distinct from those found in the
sagebrush areas to the south and west.

In Ravalli County, Montana, P. lemhiensis
occurs in the dryer Pinus ponderosa/Purshia
tridentata habitat type. Associated species in
this area include:

Agropyron spicatum (bluebunch wheatgrass)
Alyssum alyssoides (pale alyssum)
Arabis holboellii (Holboell's rockcress)
Balsamorhiza saqittata (arrowleaf balsamroot)
Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass)
Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed)
Geranium viscosissimum (sticky geranium)
Koeleria cristata (prairie junegrass)
Lithospermum ruderale (wayside gromwell)
Melilotus officinalis (yellow sweet-clover)
Penstemon albertinus (Alberta penstemon)
Phacelia heterophylla (varileaf phacelia)
Phacelia linearis (threadleaf phacelia)
Phvsaria geyeri (Geyer's twinpod)
Verbascum thapsus (flannel mullein)

Dominance and frequency of the taxon: Most
populations of P. lemhiensis consist of
scattered individuals; the percent canopy cover
of the species is generally less than 5%.
Portions of the French Creek (009) site contain
dense subpopulations, and canopy cover of P.
lemhiensis in some small areas is approximately
10-20%. In 1989, three demographic monitoring
transects were established in Beaverhead County
(two at French Creek (009), one at Badger Pass
North (019)), all on Beaverhead National Forest
lands. The density (plants/m2) in these three

transects ranged from 1.4 to 3.5 (Shelly
1990b) .

5. Successional phenomena: As discussed above, P.
lemhiensis appears to have an ecological
preference for more open, often unstable,
microhabitats; these include rock outcrop areas
and steep rocky slopes with some natural soil
slippage. This adaptation is further evidenced
by situations where plants have colonized open
roadbanks (i.e., Argenta (001), Trail Creek
(002), Polaris (032)). The species is never
abundant, and is likely to be ephemeral, in
these disturbed situations. All known sites
are in open habitats, and the species would
probably be intolerant of canopy closure.

6. Dependence on dynamic aspects of biotic
associations and ecosystem features: Unknown.

7. Other endangered, threatened, rare, or
vulnerable species occurring in habitat (s) of
this taxon: None known in Montana.

7. Population biology of the taxon.

A. General summary: In Montana, populations range in
size from single, isolated plants to 1,845 or more
individuals; these populations contain from one to
13 subpopulations. During the period 1986-1989,
drastic declines have been noted in three
populations. Penstemon lemhiensis does have some
capacity to colonize disturbed areas, and is
occasionally frequent in such situations, but the
plants in such areas are probably ephemeral.
Studies of pollination biology revealed a possibly
close relationship with a species of vespid wasp

( Pseudomasar is vespoides) , and Penstemon lemhiensis
appears to be an obligate out-crosser (Ramstetter
1983) . Demographic monitoring transects established
in 1989 revealed the presence of relatively few
seedlings, but the timing of seed germination and
establishment is unknown.

B. Demography.

1. Known populations: Thirty-five recently

documented populations are known in Montana.
The average population size is approximately
128. The total number of plants observed in
Montana to date is approximately 4,4 20-4,525.
The populations in Montana are sparsely
scattered over an area of approximately 3,500

) square miles.

2. Demographic details (Montana): See Table 2,
pp. 27-30.

Eight previously documented populations (002,
003, 005, 009, 012, 014, 019, 020) were
revisited in 1989. Of these eight, drastic
decreases in population size were noted in
three of them (Badger Pass (005) , Red Butte
(012), Ermont Gulch (014)). At Badger Pass,
190 plants were counted in 1986, approximately
75 of which were within an exclosure
constructed to protect part of the population.
During 1989, however, only 5-10 plants were
observed, most of them on a roadbank; none were
found within the exclosure. Similarly, 142
plants were counted in the main subpopulation
at Red Butte in 1986; no plants were found
there in 1988, and only ca. 12 plants were seen
in 1989. Seventy-six plants were counted in
the Ermont Gulch population in 1986, but only
one plant was observed in 1989. The reasons
for these declines are unknown; many of the
plants may have been dormant in 1989, or they
I may have actually been extirpated. Monitoring

of these sites should be continued, to
determine whether these observed declines are
permanent.

An increase in population size was noted at the
Dutch Creek (035) site; during 1987, only one
plant was observed there, on an open roadbank;
searches in undisturbed habitat on slopes above
the road did not reveal any other plants. In
1989, approximately 28 plants were located in
the same area. This information suggests that
the plants can be periodically dormant, and
that observed population size may fluctuate
from year to year as a result.

C. Phenology.

1. Patterns: In Montana, Penstemon lemhiensis is
in bloom from early June to late July,
depending upon climatic conditions and
elevation. On some very warm, exposed sites,
such as south-facing roadbanks where the
species has been sporadically found, it may
begin blooming by late May. Mature fruits are
present during August and early September, and
. seeds are dispersed sporadically from the

P dehiscing capsules during that time. At the

TABLE 2. Demographic details, listed by county and occurrence number.
BEAVERHEAD COUNTY

Occurrence number: 001 Site name: ARGENTA

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 10

Population data: 206 PLANTS COUNTED IN 1986 (204 ON PRIVATE INHOLDING, 2 ON
U.S.F.S. LAND); 100 PLANTS COUNTED IN 1988 (K. SCOW); A FEW
PLANTS OCCUR ON ROADBANKS; LOW LEVEL OF GRAZING; WEED
INVASION ALONG THE ROAD.

Occurrence number: 002 Site name: TRAIL CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD
Acreage: 13

Population data: 70-100 PLANTS, 6 SUBPOPULATIONS; IN FULL FLOWER; HOST PLANTS
OCCUR ALONG ROADSIDE.

Occurrence number: 003 Site name: LEMHI PASS

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: IS

Population data: 164 PLANTS COUNTED, 3 SUBPOPULATIONS; CA. 90% OF THE PLANTS

OCCUR ON NATIVE SAGEBRUSH SLOPES ABOVE THE ROAD; SPECIES

OCCURS IN MORE OPEN, GRAVELLY AREAS.

Occurrence number: 005 Site name: BADGER PASS

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 10

Population data: 1986: 190 PLANTS COUNTED; CA. 75 PLANTS ARE WITHIN A FENCE
EXCLOSURE, WHICH WAS CONSTRUCTED TO PROTECT PART OF THE
POPULATION. 1989: VERY FEW PLANTS OBSERVED, AND NONE FOUND
INSIDE EXCLOSURE.

Occurrence number: 006 Site name: BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 50

Population data: THREE SUBPOPULATIONS, WITH 447 PLANTS (S. OF "SIEGE AREA" &
ROADCUT ALONG SLOPE), "HUNDREDS" <N. OF "SIEGE AREA"), AND
CA. 40 BELOW VISITOR'S CENTER; NO PLANTS FOUND OUTSIDE
BATTLEFIELD BOUNDARIES.

Occurrence number: 008 Site name: JOHNSON GULCH

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 0

Population data: ONE PLANT (SPECIMEN IS ONE TOPSNATCHED STEM).

Occurrence number: 009 Site name: FRENCH CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 40

Population data: 138 PLANTS COUNTED (CA. 150 TOTAL) IN MAIN POPULATION, WITH
22 PLANTS COUNTED IN SUBPOPULATION AT THE MOUTH OF RED GULCH
(1986); 1845 PLANTS, IN 13 SUBPOPULATIONS, COUNTED IN 1988
(K. SCOW); AREA SUBJECT TO MINING DISTURBANCE; TWO
MONITORING TRANSECTS ESTABLISHED IN 1989.

Occurrence number: 010 Site name: QUARTZ HILL GULCH

County: BEAVERHEAD
Acreage: 15

Population data: 203 PLANTS COUNTED, IN FLOWER; NEARBY AREAS SUBJECT TO
MINING DISTURBANCE.

TABLE 2. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 011 Site name: ECHO GULCH

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 45

Population data: 252 PLANTS COUNTED IN SOUTH SUBPOPULATION, 100-150 PLANTS IN

NORTH SUBPOPULATION; IN FLOWER; MINING TEST PITS OBSERVED

NEAR NORTH SUBPOPULATION.

Occurrence number: 012 Site name: RED BUTTE

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 20

Population data: K2 PLANTS COUNTED IN MAIN SUBPOPULATION (CENTRUM), 169

TOTAL, 3 SU8POPULATIONS (1986); NO PLANTS OBSERVED IN MAIN
SUBPOPULATION IN 1988 (K. SCOU), AND ONLY CA. 12 IN 1989
(SHELLY); MAIN POPULATION NEAR, BUT NOT RIGHT ALONG, A
LIGHTLY-USED GRAVEL ROAD.

Occurrence number: 013 Site name: BLACK MOUNTAIN ROAD

County: BEAVERHEAD
Acreage: 20

Population data: CA. 100-125 PLANTS TOTAL, MAINLY IN TWO SUBPOPULATIONS AND
SCATTERED ALONG ROADSIDE; IN FLOWER.

Occurrence number: OH Site name: ERMONT GULCH

County: BEAVERHEAD
Acreage: 5

Population data: 76 PLANTS COUNTED (1986); ONLY ONE PLANT SEEN IN 1989; AREA
SUBJECT TO MODERATE TO HEAVY GRAZING.

Occurrence number: 015 Site name: ROBERTS GULCH

County: BEAVERHEAD
Acreage: 5

Population data: 54 PLANTS COUNTED; IN FLOWER; HABITAT RELATIVELY
UNDISTURBED, SOME GRAZING USE.

Occurrence number: 016 Site name: TRAPPER CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD
Acreage: 1

Population data: 18 PLANTS COUNTED; FLOWERING; POPULATION OCCURS RIGHT ALONG
ROADSIDE.

Occurrence number: 017 Site name: BROWNES LAKE

County: BEAVERHEAD
Acreage: 1

Population data: ONLY 4 PLANTS SEEN, 2 ON ROADSIDE AND 2 ON NATURAL SLOPE
ABOVE ROAD.

Occurrence number: 018 Site name: KEARNS CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 5

Population data: 52 PLANTS COUNTED, 4 SUBPOPULATIONS (1987); MOST ABUNDANT ON
EAST-FACING SLOPE ALONG CREEK, ON GRAVELLY OPEN SLOPE; SOME
GRAZING AND MINING ACTIVITY IN THE AREA; FIFTH
SUBPOPULATION, CONTAINING 40 PLANTS, LOCATED IN 1988 BY K.
SCOW.

TABLE 2. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 019 Site name: BADGER PASS NORTH

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 4

Population data: ABOUT 200 PLANTS COUNTED, POPULATION = EST. 300+ PLANTS, 3
SUBPOPULATIONS OBSERVED; FLOWERING; NUMEROUS PLANTS GROWING
THROUGH BRANCHES OF SAGEBRUSH SHRUBS; AREA IS LIGHTLY TO
MODERATELY GRAZED; PERMANENT MONITORING TRANSECT ESTABLISHED
IN 1989.

Occurrence number: 020 Site name: SELWAY CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 1

Population data: SIX PLANTS OBSERVED, IN 2 CLUMPS (19 JUNE 1987); FLOWERING;
PLANTS ASSOCIATED WITH STEEP ROCK OUTCROP AREAS, AND NOT
OBSERVED IN DENSER SURROUNDING VEGETATION. 10 PLANTS
OBSERVED IN 1989.

Occurrence number: 022 Site name: MEDICINE LOOGE CREEK

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 20

Population data: UNKNOWN; POPULATION REPORTED TO BE LARGE BY J. CHRISTENSEN.

Occurrence number: 023

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 10

Population data: UNCOMMON, 17 PLANTS IN 1989.

Site name: MINER CREEK

Occurrence number: 024

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 1

Population data: 26 PLANTS IN 1989.

Site name: FROG CREEK

Occurrence number: 025

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 10

Population data: 110 PLANTS IN 1989.

Site name: BRISTON LANE

Occurrence number: 026

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 3

Population data: 23 PLANTS IN 1989.

Site name: SWAMP CREEK

Occurrence number: 027

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 1

Population data: ONLY 3 PLANTS, ON A ROADCUT.

Site name: HORSE PRAIRIE GUARD STATION

Occurrence number: 028

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 2

Population data: 34 PLANTS, FOUR SMALL SUBPOPULATIONS (1989)

Site name: BLOODY DICK CREEK I

Occurrence number: 029

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 2

Population data: 22 PLANTS, FOUR SMALL SUBPOPULATIONS (1989)

Site name: BLOODY DICK CREEK II

TABLE 2. (cont.).

Occurrence number: 032

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 0

Population data: POPULATION OF 50+ PLANTS IN 1989

Site name: POLARIS

Occurrence number: 033

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 0

Population data: POPULATION OF 2 PLANTS IN 1989

Site name: SHALE CREEK

Occurrence number: 034

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 15

Population data: 74 PLANTS IN 3 SU8POPULATIONS IN 1989.

Site name: BLOODY DICK CREEK III

Occurrence number: 035

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 12

Population data: CA. 30 PLANTS IN 2 SUBPOPULATIONS IN 1989

Site name: DUTCH CREEK

Occurrence number: 036

County: BEAVERHEAD

Acreage: 1

Population data: 61 PLANTS COUNTED.

Site name: BLANCHARD POND

RAVALLI COUNTY

Occurrence number: 004 Site name: NORTH FORK RYE CREEK

County: RAVALLI

Acreage: 3

Population data: TWO SUBPOPULATIONS; 72 PLANTS (SOUTH), WITH 65 ON SLOPE

ABOVE ROADCUT; 11 PLANTS (NORTH), ALL ON ROADCUT; HABITAT
HEAVILY INFESTED WITH WEEDS; LARGEST POPULATION KNOWN IN
RAVALLI COUNTY.

Occurrence number: 007 Site name: MEDICINE TREE CREEK

County: RAVALLI

Acreage: 2

Population data: 10 PLANTS OBSERVED, 7 ON ROADCUT, 3 ON SLOPES ABOVE.

Occurrence number: 030 Site name: SPRING GULCH

County: RAVALLI
Acreage: 1

Population data: FOUR PLANTS OBSERVED; ONE FLOWERING, 3 STERILE ROSETTES;
HABITAT SERIOUSLY IMPACTED BY KNAPWEED INVASION.

Occurrence number: 031 Site name: ROBBINS GULCH

County: RAVALLI
Acreage: 5

Population data: 14 PLANTS 08SERVED, IN 5 SMALL COLONIES; 8 FLOWERING, 6
ROSETTES, ONE PLANT ON ROADSIDE.

Occurrence number: 037

County: RAVALLI

Acreage: 0

Population data: 7 PLANTS COUNTED.

Site name: WOOOS CREEK

Big Hole National Battlefield (006),
Ramstetter (1983) found that, in 1982, flower
buds began to develop by 12 June, and plants
were in bloom by 27 June; all flowers in an
inflorescence opened within three to five days.
In 1983, most inflorescences at Argenta (001),
Badger Pass (005) , and Lemhi Pass (003) had
dropped their flowers, and fruits were
developing, by 23-26 July; at the Battlefield,
most flowers had dropped, but no developing
fruits were seen. Ramstetter (1983)
additionally states that " (o)bservations made
in 1982 and 1983 indicate that the sexual
reproductive period at higher elevations is
somewhat shorter than at lower elevations." In
1986, the peak blooming period at the high-
elevation sites in the northeastern Pioneer
Mountains (Quartz Hill Gulch (010) , Echo Gulch
(011)) had just begun on 8 July, indicating
that the peak reproductive period is later at
these sites.

2. Relation to climate and microclimate: As

mentioned, plants on warmer exposures may begin
flowering earlier in the growing season.

D. Reproductive ecology.

1. Types of reproduction: The flowers of P.

lemhiensis are protandrous (the anthers dehisce
before the stigma is receptive) ; anthers begin
to shed pollen approximately two days before
the stigma becomes sticky and receptive
(Ramstetter 1983) .

Breeding system studies conducted at the Big
Hole National Battlefield suggest that P.
lemhiensis is an obligate out-crosser
(Ramstetter 1983) . Plants with flowers that
were not manipulated (control) yielded an
average of 17.80% mature seed set. In
comparison, plants cross-pollinated by hand
yielded an average of 22.51% mature seed set,
significantly higher than the average for the
control plants. Thus, seed set may be somewhat
limited by the level of insect pollination.
Obligate out-crossing was further suggested in
plants that were self-pollinated by hand; an
average of only 2.10% mature seed set was
obtained. However, open-pollinated flowers
whose anthers were removed initiated an average
of 17.29% seed set. Little evidence of
agamospermy (asexual seed production) was

found. During surveys by the author in 1986,
1987, and 1989, no evidence of any vegetative
reproduction was observed.

2. Pollination.

a. Mechanisms: As described above, Penstemon
lemhiensis appears to be an obligate out-

crosser; the primary mechanism is via
insect pollination.

b. Specific known pollinators: During
observations of insect visitors to P.
lemhiensis at the Big Hole National
Battlefield, 13 insects that made contact
with some part of the flowers were
collected (Ramstetter 1983) . Of these,
two species, Pseudomasaris vespoides and
Osmia brevis, were thought to be the most
important pollinators. Pseudomasaris
vespoides is a pollen-collecting vespid
wasp; these wasps have long bodies, and
during flower visits they completely enter
the corollas. They were not observed to
visit flowers of any other plants.
Ramstetter (1983) concluded that •' (i)f P^.
vespoides is as constant to Penstemon
lemhiensis as my observations indicate,
the wasp may be an especially important
pollinator." Osmia brevis belongs to the
mason bee family (Megachilidae) , whose
members are known to be efficient
pollinators (Essig 1958) . During surveys
by the author in 1986, 1987 and 1989, the
vespid wasp was by far the most frequently
observed insect visitor to P. lemhiensis.

c. Other suspected pollinators: Unknown.

d. Vulnerability of pollinators: Unknown,
but the primary pollinators (Pseudomasaris
vespoides. Osmia brevis) may be vulnerable
to management practices such as herbicide
and insecticide spraying. Impacts to
these insects, especially P. vespoides,
may have a detrimental effect on seed set
in Penstemon lemhiensis.

3. Seed dispersal.

a. General mechanisms: The seeds of P.

lemhiensis have no appendages that might
aid in long-distance dispersal; they are

irregular in shape, and up to 2 mm in
size. It is likely that most seeds simply
fall directly to the ground from the
dehisced capsules.

b. Specific agents: None known or apparent.

c. Vulnerability of dispersal agents and
mechanisms: Not applicable.

d. Patterns of propagule dispersal: Details
unknown. In demographic monitoring
transects established in 1989, some
seedlings were observed; these were always
in the vicinity of mature reproductive,
and presumably parental, plants (Shelly
1990b) .

4. Seed biology.

a. Amount and variation of seed production:
Seed production in three monitoring
transects varied only slightly, from 32.7
to 36.0 seeds per fruit; the average
number of fruits per fruiting plant ranged
from 12.1 to 19.2 (Shelly 1990b).
Continuing measurements from these
transects will provide information
regarding variation in annual seed
production.

b. Seed viability and longevity: Unknown.

c. Dormancy requirements: Unknown.

d. Germination requirements: In laboratory
seed germination experiments, only seeds
that were cold-treated or treated with
gibberellic acid (a growth hormone)
germinated; it is likely that seeds of P.
lemhiensis require a cold treatment prior
to germination in the field (Ramstetter
1983) .

e. Percent germination: In both the cold and
gibberellic acid treatments, only about 4%
of the seeds germinated after
approximately two weeks; most seeds did
not germinate at all (Ramstetter 1983) .
Germination trials have also been
conducted by Bitterroot Native Growers
(Corvallis, Montana) . The following
treatments were performed: 1.) seeds were

sewn immediately, and given 70° days/350
nights, and 2.) seeds were sewn in flats
and given 35° temperatures for 30, 45, and
60 days; after each time interval,
portions of the seed were removed from
cold treatment and germination attempts
made. None of these treatments resulted
in germination. It was thought that this
may have been due to the drought year in
1988; additional attempts are currently
being made using seed collected in 1989
(P. Burke, pers. comm.).

5. Seedling ecology: Details unknown. Ramstetter
(1983) felt that because seed dispersal occurs
so late in the growing season, germination
probably occurs in the spring; the apparent
requirement for a cold treatment upholds this
hypothesis. In the three monitoring transects
established in 1989, very few seedlings were
observed (a total of 17 in 100 lm2 plots) .
Those observed were very small, and it is
possible that others within the transects were
missed during the studies. Also, numerous
seedlings may perish or become dormant earlier
in the growing season, as the habitats become
drier; such a dormancy pattern has been
observed for seedlings of Silene spaldinqii. a
rare perennial plant species occurring in
northwestern Montana. Seedlings of the latter
become dormant during the summer months under
greenhouse conditions (Lesica 1988) .

6. Survival and mortality: No quantitative
information; future readings of the monitoring
transects will provide detailed data. See
Section I.7.B.2., p. 26, for a discussion of
observed fluctuations in some population sizes.

7. Overall assessment of t axon's reproductive
success: Although details on rates of seed
germination and seedling establishment are
largely unknown, these appear fairly low in P.
lemhiensis. especially considering the relative
abundance of observed seed production. Also,
the small average population size suggests that
reproductive success is fairly low. Additional
studies on the ecology of seed germination and
establishment are needed.

35
8. Population ecology of the taxon.

A. General summary: Penstemon lemhiensis appears to
have a close relationship with a species of pollen-
gathering vespid wasp. The plants are susceptible
to browsing, probably by deer and cattle; in some
populations this impact can be fairly, heavy.
Although P. lemhiensis shows some tolerance to
disturbance based on its occupation of roadbank
habitats, the plants are never abundant in such
situations, and are vulnerable to road maintenance
and weed control activities. In undisturbed sites,
it prefers more open microhabitats. These
observations suggest that P. lemhiensis has a low
tolerance for interspecific competition.

B. Positive and neutral interactions: As described in
I.7.D.2.b., P. lemhiensis may have a close plant-
pollinator relationship with two insects,
especially with a vespid wasp (Pseudomasaris
vespoides) . The latter appears to be faithful to
Penstemon lemhiensis. and may represent its most
important pollinator. Other positive or neutral
interactions are not known.

C. Negative interactions.

1. Herbivores, predators, pests, parasites and

diseases: Penstemon lemhiensis is subject to
moderate to heavy browsing, most likely by deer
and cattle. Ramstetter (1983) found the
percentage of browsed stalks at the Battlefield
(006) and Argenta (001) sites to be 23% and
90%, respectively. In three demographic
monitoring transects established in 1989
(French Creek (009) and Badger Pass North (019)
sites) , the percentage of browsed flowering
stems ranged from 3.0 to 47.8% (Shelly 1990b).
Also, Ramstetter (1983) found no plants outside
the Battlefield; the park is fenced, and is not
used for livestock grazing. Similarly, during
a 1986 survey by the author on the west side of
the Big Hole Battlefield, individuals were seen
growing right next to the boundary fence within
Park property; none were found outside the
fence, in an area subject to livestock grazing
and weed invasion. One population observed in
1989 (Briston Lane (025)), however, contained
numerous individuals in an area that had been
burned and grazed. This suggests that, in the
short term, the plants can persist in areas so
treated. Further studies are needed to
determine the long-term effects of grazing on

P. lemhiensis.

An unusual phenomenon that illustrates the
possible long-term sensitivity of P. lemhiensis
to grazing was observed at the Badger Pass
North (019) site in 1987. Numerous plants were
found growing up through the branches of
sagebrush shrubs, many of which were dead.
This may have been a result of the moderate
livestock grazing that has occurred in the
area. The microhabitat under the shrubs
appears open enough for seedling establishment,
and the mature plants are then apparently
protected from browsing once they grow into the
shrub canopy. This phenomenon was not observed
at any other location in Montana.

2. Competition.

a. Intraspecific: The density of P.
lemhiensis is low at virtually all known
locations in Montana, and intraspecific
competition is probably not an important
factor in determining population size or
structure.

b. Interspecific: At the Big Hole National
Battlefield (006) , sampling of vegetation
in areas with and without P. lemhiensis
indicated that the occurrence of the
species is correlated with vegetation
density (Ramstetter, 1983). Penstemon
lemhiensis was found growing most
freguently in areas of lower vegetation
cover, and rarely in areas of higher
cover; this pattern of sensitivity to high
vegetation density was not apparent for
the other plant species associated with P.
lemhiensis. In particular, areas of
higher sagebrush and bunchgrass cover
contained the fewest occurrences of P.
lemhiensis. Additionally, it was
theorized that P. lemhiensis occurs more
often on steeper slopes at the Battlefield
site, where natural soil slippage may be
greater, because the sagebrush and
bunchgrasses are not as dominant as they
are on more gradual slopes.

Further evidence for the apparently poor
competitive ability of P. lemhiensis is
provided by the observation that, in
several populations, individuals have

colonized disturbed areas where vegetative
cover is very low, i.e., roadbanks. In
most of these cases, a few individuals
have become established on roadcuts
adjacent to steep slopes supporting
undisturbed vegetation, but the majority
of the plants occur in the native habitat.
An exception was observed at the Big Hole
National Battlefield (006), where the
density of P. lemhiensis was much greater
on the roadcut along the old highway than
it was on the sagebrush slope above it
(Ramstetter 1983) . However, the majority
of the plants were still found on the
undisturbed slope above the road.

3. Toxic and allelopathic interactions: None
known or observed.

D. Hybridization.

1. Naturally occurring: As discussed in
I.5.C., it has been hypothesized that P.
lemhiensis arose via hybridization between
P. cyaneus and P. speciosus. followed by
segregation and isolation (Keck 1940) .
Additional systematic studies are needed
to evaluate this theory. No evidence of
recent genetic interaction with other
species of Penstemon has been observed
during field studies in southwestern
Montana.

2. Artificially induced: None known.

3. Potential in cultivation: Unknown.

E. Other factors of population ecology: The sparsely
scattered distribution pattern of the populations,
and their small average size, may have some
influence on the pollination biology. Smaller
populations that are more widely separated from the
others may be visited less frequently by effective
pollinators, thereby resulting in lower fruit and
seed production. Field studies are needed to test
this hypothesis.

9. Current land ownership and management responsibility.

A. General nature of ownership (Montana) : United
States Government, private.

B. Specific landowners (Montana) :

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Beaverhead National Forest

610 N. Montana Street
Dillon, MT 59725

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Bitterroot National Forest

316 N. 3rd Street
Hamilton, MT 59840

3. U.S. Department of Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Dillon Resource Area

P.O. Box 1048
Dillon, MT 59725

4. U.S. Department of Interior
National Park Service

Big Hole National Battlefield
P.O. BOX 237
Wisdom, MT 59761

5. Numerous individual private landowners.

C. Management responsibility: As outlined under
specific landowners.

D. Easements, conservation restrictions, etc.: None
known .

10. Management practices and experience.

A. Habitat management.

1. Review of past management and land use
experiences.

a. This taxon: As discussed in I.8.C.I., the
flowering stems of P. lemhiensis are
vulnerable to browsing, probably by native
ungulates and cattle. This undoubtedly
reduces the amount of fruit and seed set.
In time, this would result in declining
population sizes if the mortality of
established plants exceeded the rate of
establishment of new individuals. A
portion of the habitat in the Big Hole
National Battlefield was burned by
prescription, but the effects on P.
lemhiensis have not yet been determined.

b. Related taxa: Unknown.

c. Other ecologically similar taxa: Not
reviewed.

2. Performance under changed conditions: Although
P. lemhiensis does have the ability to occupy
disturbed habitats, the plants in these
situations are not likely to represent long-
term subpopulations. Road maintenance and weed
control activities are likely to continually
remove plants in these areas. The long-term
effects of browsing are currently unknown.

3. Current management policies and actions:
Penstemon lemhiensis is included on the U.S.
Forest Service list of sensitive plant species
in Region 1 (Reel et a_l. 1989) . As such, it
receives protection under U.S. Forest Service
management policies. All of the federal
agencies managing lands supporting populations
are aware of the presence and locations of P.
lemhiensis.

4. Future land use: Most of the habitats occupied
by P. lemhiensis in Montana are used for
livestock grazing, and this land use is
expected to continue. Three sites containing
large populations are in areas of past and
potential future mining activity: French Creek
(009), Quartz Hill Gulch (010), and Echo Gulch
(Oil) . At French Creek, numerous mines have
been actively worked in the past, and renewed
gold mining has recently been proposed (K.
Scow, pers. conn.). At Echo Gulch, mining test
pits were observed near the north subpopulation
in 1986 (J.S. Shelly, pers. obs.).

B. Cultivation.

1. Controlled propagation techniques: None known;
seed germination trials have been unsuccessful
(see I . 7 . D. 4 .e. ) .

2. Ease of transplanting: Unknown.

3. Pertinent horticultural knowledge: Not
reviewed.

4. Status and location of presently cultivated
material: No cultivated material known.

40
11. Evidence of threats to survival.

A. Present or threatened destruction, modification, or
curtailment of habitat or range.

1. Past threats: In certain portions of its range
in Montana, the habitat of P. lemhiensis has
been impacted by mining. In Beaverhead County,
numerous mines have been established in the
Rattlesnake Creek drainage in the southern
Pioneer Mountains, including four in the French
Creek drainage (Park, Yellow Band, Cross, and
Discovery mines) . These four mines are all
within the known population boundaries of P.
lemhiensis (009) , and their establishment
undoubtedly caused the extirpation of some
individuals.

2. Existing threats: Renewed gold mining activity
is occurring throughout western Montana, and
the Yellow Band Mine has recently been
considered for reactivation (K. Scow, pers.
comm.). This mine is within the boundaries of
the French Creek (009) site, which contains the
largest number of plants of any of the Montana
populations (1,845 individuals counted in 1988,
representing approximately 40% of the plants
documented in Montana) .

Herbicides have been used in the French Creek
drainage to control weedy plant species. Some
of these applications have occurred within the
habitat of P. lemhiensis (009) (J. Christensen,
Beaverhead National Forest, pers. comm.).

3. Potential threats: Mining is expected to
continue in southwestern Montana, and it is
possible that additional populations of P.
lemhiensis could be threatened by this land
use. Use of herbicides is a serious potential
threat, especially to populations along or near
roadsides.

B. Overutilization for commercial, sporting,
scientific, or educational purposes: No significant
past or existing threats are known. Because the
species is very showy, it could potentially be
impacted through overcollecting by horticultural
interests.

C. Disease, predation, or grazing.

1. Past threats: Portions of the range of P.

lemhiensis in Montana have been impacted by
livestock grazing. As discussed in I.7.B.2.,
significant declines have been noted in three
populations in the southern Pioneer Mountains.
Of these, one occurs in an area of moderate to
heavy livestock use (Ermont Gulch (014)).
Seventy-six plants were counted there in 1986,
but only one plant was found in 1989. Similar
declines were noted at Badger Pass (005) and
Red Butte (012) ; however, these sites did not
appear to have been grazed recently, and there
is an exclosure at the Badger Pass site that
was constructed to prevent impacts from
grazing. Thus, although grazing may have
caused the decline at Ermont Gulch, the
decreases there and in the two other
populations may have been related to other
factors (i.e., the severe drought conditions
that prevailed in 1988) . Browsing of flowering
stems, by native ungulates and/or livestock,
has also been observed in several populations
(see I.8.C. 1. ) .

2. Existing threats: Grazing use is ongoing
throughout much of the species' range in
southwestern Montana, and it is likely that
impacts to some individuals are occurring as a
result.

3. Potential threats: Browsing by native animals
and livestock is likely to continue in the
future. The monitoring transects established
in 1989 (Shelly 1990b) will provide data that
can be used to assess the resultant impacts on
population demography.

D. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms: There
are currently no state statutes that provide
protection for rare or endangered plant species in
Montana.

E. Other natural or man-made factors: Of the 35 known
populations in Montana, 17 (49%) of them consist of
fewer than 50 individuals, and 11 (31%) contain
fewer than 20 individuals. These low population
numbers may render the species vulnerable to
extirpation in many parts of its range in the state.
Also, these small populations, many of which are
very isolated, may be less exposed to effective
pollinators, especially the vespid wasp that appears
to be specific to P. lemhiensis. Lastly, the
observed declines in two populations, where no
direct disturbance was observed, suggests that the

species may be vulnerable to dramatic climatic
fluctuations such as the severe drought conditions
that prevailed in 1988.

II. ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

12. General assessment of vigor, trends, and status:
Penstemon lemhiensis is a perennial plant species that is
currently known from 35 sites in Beaverhead and Ravalli
counties, Montana; it is also recently documented from 19
sites in Lemhi County, Idaho. In Montana, the average
population size is small (approximately 128 individuals) ,
and the total number of plants observed to date is
approximately 4,420-4,525. While some populations appear
to be relatively stable, drastic declines have been
observed in three populations in Beaverhead County.
Impacts due to browsing by native animals and livestock,
and mining activities, have occurred in some populations;
weed control via herbicide application also represents a
current threat. The populations in Montana are very
sparsely scattered over an area of approximately 3,500
square miles, and there is much suitable habitat that is
apparently unoccupied. Although the species has
colonized disturbed habitats in some places, the plants
are never abundant in these situations, and this probably
represents an ephemeral response to sites that mimic its
native habitat. Owing to the low population numbers, the
widely dispersed distribution pattern, and the observed
declines in some areas, JP. lemhiensis should continue to
be closely monitored. Demographic monitoring transects
established in 1989 will provide data that can be used to
assess and predict population performance.

13. Recommendations for listing or status change.

A. Recommendation to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
On the basis of current information summarized
herein, it is recommended that Penstemon lemhiensis
be retained in Category 2. In Montana, the average
population size is small, and the total number of
documented individuals is low. Observed declines in
several populations, and ongoing threats from mining
and browsing, dictate that the species be closely
monitored. Also, status surveys should be conducted
in Idaho; a detailed status recommendation could be
made upon completion of research in that portion of
the species' range.

B. Recommendations to other U.S. federal agencies:
Penstemon lemhiensis has been placed on the lists of
sensitive species in Regions 1 and 4 of the U.S.
Forest Service. These designations should be
retained. In addition, £. lemhiensis should be

fc placed on a list of sensitive species occurring on

U.S. D.I. Bureau of Land Management lands in Montana
and Idaho, and appropriate District and Resource
Area offices should be notified of its known or
potential presence in their jurisdictions.

C. Other status recommendations.

1. Counties and local areas: No recommendations
at this time.

2. States: Penstemon lemhiensis should be
retained on the Natural Heritage Program lists
in Montana and Idaho. In Montana, its status
should remain S2 owing to the low total number
of known individuals, the small size and widely
scattered distribution of many populations, and
the susceptibility of many sites to mining,
browsing and herbicide use.

3. Other nations: Not currently pertinent.

4. International: Not currently pertinent.

14. Recommended critical habitat: Because the status of

k Penstemon lemhiensis needs to be more fully assessed in

' the Idaho portion of its range, critical habitat is not

being recommended at this time.

15. Conservation/recovery recommendations.

A. General conservation recommendations.

1. Recommendations regarding present or

anticipated activities: Penstemon lemhiensis
has an ecological preference for more open
microhabitats (i.e., rock outcrop areas and
steep rocky slopes with some natural soil
slippage) . Surface alteration of small areas
adjacent to the larger populations may mimic
these sites, and in some cases plants have
colonized disturbed areas. However, it should
be strongly emphasized that most populations
are small, and the total number of known
individuals in Montana is only approximately
4,420-4,525. In addition, the species occupies
a very small percentage of the apparently
suitable habitat in southwestern Montana.
Thus, the species is particularly vulnerable to
extirpation should any large-scale habitat
alteration (i.e., mining) be planned near or
within any of the known populations. Though
J capable of occupying lightly disturbed areas,

it is doubtful that populations of P.
lemhiensis could recover from such major
alterations.

The response of P. lemhiensis to herbicide
spraying is currently unknown. Though it is
likely that established plants would be
destroyed by such treatment, it is possible
that the species may be fairly tolerant if
populations in native habitats are left
carefully untreated. The plants in these areas
may then be able to serve as a seed source for
recolonization of treated sites.

The sensitivity of the primary pollinators
( Pseudomasar is vespoides, Osmia brevis) to
management practices (i.e., herbicide or
insecticide spraying) should also be carefully
considered. Impacts on these insects,
especially Pseudomasaris . may have a
detrimental influence on seed production in
Penstemon lemhiensis.

Areas recommended for protection: In Montana
the largest known population, which accounts
for approximately 4 0% of the known individuals
in the state, is in the French Creek drainage
(009) . This site has been impacted by past
mining activities, and portions of it are no
longer in pristine condition. However, because
it represents a large, viable population,
management actions should provide for
maintenance of the 13 subpopulations comprising
the site.

Other sites that appear to support viable
populations of P. lemhiensis in predominantly
native habitat include: Argenta (001) , Lemhi
Pass (003), Big Hole National Battlefield
(006), Quartz Hill Gulch (010), Echo Gulch
(012), Black Mountain Road (013), Roberts Gulch
(015) , Kearns Creek (018) , and Badger Pass
North (019) .

Management and recovery recommendations:
Additional research on the propagation of P.
lemhiensis is needed, especially regarding seed
germination requirements. This information
would be useful in any future attempts to
recover populations impacted by mining and
other surface disturbances. Also, studies of
the population at the Big Hole National
Battlefield, in areas that were burned, would

be useful in assessing the response of the
species to fire.

4. Publicity sensitivity: Low.

5. Other recommendations: None.

B. Monitoring activities and research needs: Three

demographic monitoring transects were established in
1989: two in the French Creek population (009) and
one at Badger Pass North (019) (Shelly 1990b) .
These transects are based on methods outlined by
Lesica (1987). They should be reread annually for
five years, and periodically thereafter at a
frequency to be determined based on the initial
results. Personnel from the MTNHP and the U.S.
Forest Service should conduct these studies. In
addition, periodic checks of other substantial
populations, especially those in which declines have
been noted, should be conducted.

Studies of pollination ecology, in both large and
small populations, could reveal relative success
rates in each situation. Comparisons of rates of
pollinator visitation in geographically restricted
and widespread species of Astragalus showed the
latter to be visited significantly more often than
the former (Karron 1987) . Studies of small versus
large, and isolated versus clustered, populations of
P. lemhiensis may reveal significant pollination
patterns within the range of the species.

16. Interested parties:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
ATTN: Dr. James Miller
Office of Endangered Species
P.O. Box 25486
Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
ATTN: Mr. Scott Jackson
Federal Building, 301 S. Park
P.O. Box 10023
Helena, MT 59626

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
ATTN: Dr. John Fay
Office of Endangered Species
Washington, D.C. 20240

-'\

U.S. Forest Service, Region One
ATTN: Dr. Angela Evenden
Federal Building
P.O. Box 7669
Missoula, MT 59807

U.S. D.I. Bureau of Land Management
Montana State Office
ATTN: Mr. Donald Heinze
P.O. Box 36800
Billings, MT 59107

The Nature Conservancy
ATTN: Dr. Larry Morse
1815 North Lynn Street
Arlington, VA 22209

The Nature Conservancy

ATTN: Dr. Joan Bird and Mr. Bernie Hall

Montana Field Office

P.O. Box 258

Helena, MT 59624

Montana Natural Heritage Program
State Library Building
1515 E. 6th Ave.
| Helena, MT 59620

Idaho Natural Heritage Program
Department of Game and Fish
600 S. Walnut, Box 25
Boise, ID 83707

III. INFORMATION SOURCES

17. Sources of information.

A. Publications.

1. References cited in report: See Literature
Cited (p. 49).

2. Other publications/sources:

Shelly, S. 1990. Profile: Montana's rare and
endangered plants - Lemhi beardtongue. Kelseya
(Newsletter of the Montana Native Plant
Society) 3 (2) : 1.

B. Museum collections: Specimens from Montana were
examined at MONTU, MONT, MRC, and RM.

| Voucher specimens collected in Montana during field

work for this status report are cited in the
COMMENTS field of the element occurrence print-outs
(pp. 53-89) , and are deposited at MONTU. Previously
collected specimens from Montana are cited in the
COMMENTS or BESTSOURCE fields of these print-outs.

C. Fieldwork.

1. Surveys conducted (Montana):

J.S. Shelly (MTNHP) : 18-22 June 1986; 16-19 June
1987. Surveys in Beaverhead County; field notes,
population surveys, photographs, and herbarium
specimens.

J.S. Shelly (MTNHP) and A.M. Kratz (U.S. Forest
Service): 26-29 June 1989. Surveys in Ravalli
County; field notes, population surveys,
photographs, and herbarium specimens.

L.A. Schassberger (MTNHP): 26-30 June 1989.
Surveys in Beaverhead County; field notes,
population monitoring and surveys, photographs, and
herbarium specimens.

J.S. Shelly (MTNHP): 26-28 July 1989.
Establishment of demographic monitoring transects,
Beaverhead County.

D. Knowledgeable individuals:

Peter Lesica

Division of Biological Sciences
University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812

John Pierce

U.S. Forest Service, Region 1

P.O. Box 7669

Missoula, MT 59807

Jennifer Ramstetter
Department of Botany
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003

Lisa Ann Schassberger

Montana Natural Heritage Program

State Library Building

1515 E. 6th Avenue

Helena, MT 59620

E. Other information sources: Additional information
is on file at the Montana Natural Heritage Program
office, Helena, Montana.

18. Summary of materials on file: All exact population

locations are outlined on topographic maps on file at the
Montana Natural Heritage Program. All field survey
forms, field maps, and photographs from additional
populations in Montana are also housed there. The MTNHP
element file contains copies of most of the references
cited herein, including Ramstetter (1983) .

IV. AUTHORSHIP

19. Initial authorship: J. Stephen Shelly

Montana Natural Heritage Program
State Library Building
1515 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3009

20. Maintenance of status report: The respective Natural
Heritage Programs (Montana and Idaho) will maintain
current information, and update the status reports as
needed. Should the species be listed by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, the respective USFWS offices should
maintain the primary information files, encourage others
to provide new information, and distribute new findings
to the interested parties.

NEW INFORMATION

21. Record of revisions: Not currently applicable.

49
Literature Cited

Alden, W.C. 1953. Physiography and glacial geology of western
Montana and adjacent areas. Geological Survey Professional
Paper 231. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
2 00 pp. , map.

Bailey, R.G. 1976. Ecoregions of the United States. Department
of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Ogden, Utah. One map.

Clark, D.V. 1971. Speciation in Penstemon (Scrophulariaceae) .

Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Montana, Missoula. 195 pp.

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P.K.
Holmgren. 1984. Intermountain Flora, Volume Four. New York
Botanical Garden, Bronx. 573 pp.

Dorn, R.D. 1984. Vascular Plants of Montana. Mountain West
Publishing, Cheyenne, Wyoming. 276 pp.

Essig, E.O. 1958. Insects and Mites of Western North America.
The Macmillan Company, New York. 1,050 pp.

Henderson, D.M. 1981. Penstemon lemhiensis. Page 32 in: Rare

and Endangered Plants Technical Committee, Idaho Natural Areas
Council. Vascular Plant Species of Concern in Idaho.
University of Idaho: Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment
Station, Bulletin No. 34. Moscow, Idaho. 161 pp.

Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J.W. Thompson. 1959.
Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest, Part Four.
University of Washington Press, Seattle. 510 pp.

Hunt, C.B. 1974. Natural Regions of the United States and Canada.
W.H. Freeman and Co., San Francisco, California. 725 pp.

Karron, J.D. 1987. The pollination ecology of co-occurring

geographically restricted and widespread species of Astragalus
(Fabaceae) . Biol. Cons. 39: 179-193.

Keck, D.D. 1940. Studies in Penstemon VII. The subsections
Gairdneriani, Deusti, and Arenarii of the Graciles, and
miscellaneous new species. Amer. Midi. Nat. 23: 594-616.

Keck, D.D., and A. Cronquist. 1957. Studies in Penstemon IX.

Notes on northwestern American species. Brittonia 8: 247-
250.

Lesica, P., G. Moore, K.M. Peterson, and J.H. Rumely. 1984.

Vascular Plants of Limited Distribution in Montana. Monograph
No. 2, Montana Academy of Sciences, Supplement to the
Proceedings, Vol. 43. 61 pp.

Lesica, P. 1987. A technique for monitoring nonrhizomatous,

perennial plant species in permanent belt transects. Natural
Areas J. 7: 65-68.

Lesica, P. 1988. Germination requirements and seedling biology of
Spalding's catchfly (Silene spaldinqii) . Unpublished report
to The Nature Conservancy, Helena, Montana. 2 pp.

Moseley, R. , and C. Groves. 1990. Rare, threatened and endangered
plants and animals of Idaho. Natural Heritage Section,
Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, Idaho Department of
Fish and Game, Boise, Idaho. 33 pp.

Perry, E.S. 1962. Montana in the Geologic Past. Montana Bureau

of Mines and Geology, Bulletin 26. Montana College of Mineral
Science and Technology, Butte, Montana. 78 pp.

Ramstetter, J. 1983. An ecological study of the regional endemic
Penstemon lemhiensis (Keck) Keck & Cronq. (Scrophulariaceae) .
M.A. Thesis, University of Montana, Missoula. 116 pp.

Reel, S., L. Schassberger, and W. Ruediger. 1989. Caring for Our
Natural Community: Region 1 - Threatened, Endangered and
Sensitive Species Program. U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Wildlife and Fisheries, Missoula, Montana.
309 pp., appendices.

Ross, R.L. , and H.E. Hunter. 1976. Climax Vegetation of Montana,
Based on Soils and Climate. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation
Service, Bozeman, Montana. 64 pp.

Shelly, J.S. 1990a. Plant species of special concern. Montana
Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 21 pp. (mimeo.).

Shelly, J.S. 1990b. Status review update and establishment of
demographic monitoring studies: Penstemon lemhiensis.
Unpublished report to U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Region 1,
Beaverhead and Bitterroot National Forests. Montana Natural
Heritage Program, Helena. 61 pp.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1988. Sensitive Plant Field
Guide, Region 1. U.S. Forest Service, Northern Region:
Range, Air, Watershed, and Ecology Unit, Missoula, Montana.

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

Temperature, Precipitation, and Heating and Cooling Degree
Days 1951-80. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Climatography of the United States No. 81. 2 3
pp.

U.S. Department of Interior. 1975. Threatened or endangered fauna
or flora; Review of status of vascular plants and
determination of "critical habitat." Fed. Reg. 40(127):
27824-27924.

U.S. Department of Interior. 1980. Endangered and threatened
wildlife and plants: Review of plant taxa for listing as
endangered or threatened species. Fed. Reg. 45(242): 82480-
82569.

U.S. Department of Interior. 1983. Endangered and threatened

wildlife and plants: Supplement to review of plant taxa for
listing; proposed rule. Fed. Reg. 48(229): 53640-53670.

U.S. Department of Interior. 1985. Endangered and threatened
wildlife and plants; review of plant taxa for listing as
endangered or threatened species; notice of review. Fed. Reg.
50(188): 39525-39584.

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. Fed. Reg.
55(35): 6183-6229.

U.S. Geological Survey. 1980. Stream Evaluation Map, State of
Montana. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
Two sheets.

Visher, S.S. 1954. Climatic Atlas of the United States. Harvard
University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. 403 pp.

Watson, Jr., T.J. 1976. An evaluation of putatively threatened or
endangered species from the Montana flora. Unpublished report
to U.S. Forest Service, Region 1, Missoula, Montana. 31 pp.

Appendix A (Element occurrence print-outs, Montana)

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.001

Survey site name: ARGENTA

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION, OCCURS PARTIALLY ON

DISTURBED ROADBANK.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: ERMONT

Township-range: 006S011W Section: 15
Township-range comments: SE4 ;22 ,NE4 ;23 ,NW4NW4

Survey date: 1986-06-20 Elevation: 6700
First observation: 1976 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1988 Size (acres) : 10

Location:

S. PIONEER MOUNTAINS, N. SIDE OF BLACK MOUNTAIN ROAD
(BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD. 2400), 0.2 MI. W. OF RATTLESNAKE CR.
ROAD (N.F. RD. 192), CA. 4 AIR MI. WNW. OF ARGENTA.

Element occurrence data:

206 PLANTS COUNTED IN 1986 (204 ON PRIVATE INHOLDING, 2 ON
U.S.F.S. LAND); 100 PLANTS COUNTED IN 1988 (K. SCOW); A FEW
PLANTS OCCUR ON ROADBANKS ; LOW LEVEL OF GRAZING; WEED
INVASION ALONG THE ROAD.

General site description:

MODERATELY STEEP, SE. TO SW.- FACING SLOPES; MOST FREQUENT
IN SPARSELY VEGETATED, ROCKY AREAS; ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/
FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS/AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH BROMUS, SENECIO.

Land owner/manager:

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

Comments :

VOUCHERS -WATSON, T.J. (1277), 1976, MONTU (SEC. 23); SHELLY,
J.S. (1140) & G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU; ELOFSON, S.N., MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
18-22 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.002

Survey site name: TRAIL CREEK

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: SMALL SUBPOPULATIONS ALONG ROAD.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: EVERSON CREEK

LEMHI PASS

Township-range: 010S014W Section: 18

Township-range comments: S2, 17SW4 , 19NW4 ;T10SR15W: 24NE4

Survey date: 1986-06-22 Elevation: 6520
First observation: 1970 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 13

Location:

TRAIL CREEK, ALONG ROAD TO LEMHI PASS (BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD.
3909.2), CA. 3.5-4.5 AIR MI. ESE. OF LEMHI PASS.

Element occurrence data:

70-100 PLANTS, 6 SUBPOPULATIONS; IN FULL FLOWER; MOST PLANTS
OCCUR ALONG ROADSIDE.

General site description:

SANDY TO GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS, ON ALLUVIAL FAN AND ALONG
ROAD; ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/POA SECUNDA, WITH BROMUS
TECTORUM, SITANION HYSTRIX, CHRYSOTHAMNUS NAUSEOSUS AND
ERIOGONUM OVALIFOLIUM VAR NEVADENSE.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments:

VOUCHERS-WATSON, T.J. (1279), 1976, MONTU; STICKNEY, P.F.
(2107), 1970, MONT; SCHASSBERGER, L.A. (299), 1989.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
18-22 JUNE; SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEY OF
SOUTHWEST MONTANA, 26-30 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Hontana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.003

Survey site name: LEMHI PASS

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: MODERATE-SIZED POPULATIONS, IN NATIVE

HABITAT & ALONG ROAD.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: LEMHI PASS

Township-range: 010S015W Section: 15
Township-range comments: SE4NW4 ,NE4SE4 , 14SW4

Survey date: 1986-06-22 Elevation: 6960
First observation: 1983 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 15

Location:

NORTH SIDE OF LEMHI PASS ROAD (BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD. 3909.2),
1.0-1.6 AIR MILES SE. OF LEMHI PASS, CA. 1.4-2.0 MILES WEST
OF SELWAY RANCH.

Element occurrence data:

164 PLANTS COUNTED, 3 SUBPOPULATIONS ; CA. 90% OF THE PLANTS
OCCUR ON NATIVE SAGEBRUSH SLOPES ABOVE THE ROAD; SPECIES
OCCURS IN MORE OPEN, GRAVELLY AREAS.

General site description:

GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS, ON SW. TO SE. -FACING SLOPES; ARTEMISIA
TRIDENTATA/FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, WITH PHACELIA HETEROPHYLLA,
BROMUS TECTORUM, LUPINUS, PHLOX, POA, ACHILLEA, ROSA,
MAHONIA REPENS, GERANIUM VISCOSISSIMUM, HELIANTHELLA
UNIFLORA, ERIOGONUM UMBELLATUM VAR INTECTUM AND VAR
SUBALPINUM.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1155) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU;
SCHASSBERGER, L.A. (302), 1989.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA,
26-30 JUNE (PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS) .

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 004

Survey site name: NORTH FORK RYE CREEK

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: FAIRLY SMALL POPULATION, IN WEEDY

HABITAT.

County: RAVALLI

USGS quadrangle: ROBBINS GULCH

Township-range: 003N020W Section: 25
Township-range comments: NW4SW4 ,SW4NW4

Survey date: 1989-06-26 Elevation: 4320
First observation: 1952 Slope/aspect: 35% / WEST

Last observation: 1989-06-26 Size (acres) : 3

Location:

WESTERN FOOTHILLS OF THE SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, NORTH FORK RYE
CREEK DRAINAGE, EAST SIDE OF BITTERROOT N.F. RD. #321, 0.2
AND 0.35 MILES NORTH OF RYE CREEK RD. (#75), CA. 7.5 AIR
MILES ESE OF DARBY.

Element occurrence data:

TWO SUBPOPULATIONS ; 72 PLANTS (SOUTH), WITH 65 ON SLOPE
ABOVE ROADCUT; 11 PLANTS (NORTH), ALL ON ROADCUT; HABITAT
HEAVILY INFESTED WITH WEEDS; LARGEST POPULATION KNOWN IN
RAVALLI COUNTY.

General site description:

SANDY TO GRAVELLY GRANITIC SOILS, ON STEEP WEST-FACING
SLOPES; PINUS PONDEROSA/PURSHIA TRIDENTATA HABITAT, WITH
AGROPYRON SPICATUM, KOELERIA CRISTATA, PENSTEMON ALBERTINUS,
BALSAMORHIZA SAGITTATA, PHACELIA LINEARIS, GERANIUM
VISCOSISSIMUM, CENTAUREA MACULOSA, BROMUS TECTORUM,
LITHOSPERMUM RUDERALE, MELILOTUS OFFICINALIS.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments :

VOUCHER - SHELLY, J.S. (1565) AND A. KRATZ, 1989; PROBABLE
RELOCATION OF HISTORICAL RECORD: WRIGHT, J.C. (S.N.), 1952,
MONT: "10 MILES E. OF DARBY, SAPPHIRE MTS . FOOTHILLS, SANDY
GRANITIC SOIL, PONDEROSA PINE ZONE."

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS IN RAVALLI COUNTY, 26-29 JUNE,

E lenient Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 005

Survey site name: BADGER PASS

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION, MOSTLY NATIVE HABITAT,

FENCE EXCLOSURE.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: BANNACK

Township-range: 007S011W Section: 22
Township-range comments: N2NW4

Survey date: 1986-06-20 Elevation: 7260
First observation: 1972 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1989-06-14 Size (acres) : 10

Location:

1.4 5 AIR MILES SSE. OF BADGER PASS, ADJACENT TO MICROWAVE
TOWER ON GRAVEL ROAD 1.3 AIR MI. S. OF BIG HOLE ROAD (ST.
HWY. 278), CA. 4.5 AIR MI. NNE. OF BANNACK.

Element occurrence data:

1986: 190 PLANTS COUNTED; CA. 75 PLANTS ARE WITHIN A FENCE
EXCLOSURE, WHICH WAS CONSTRUCTED TO PROTECT PART OF THE
POPULATION. 1989: VERY FEW PLANTS OBSERVED, AND NONE FOUND
INSIDE EXCLOSURE.

General site description:

GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS, E. TO NE. ASPECT; ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS/AGROPYRON SPICATUM,
LUPINUS LEUCOPHYLLUS , ANTENNARIA MICROPHYLLA, GEUM, SEDUM.

Land owner/manager:

BLM: DILLON RESOURCE AREA, BUTTE DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHERS-SHELLY, J.S. (1147) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU;
KOVALCHICK, B.L., 1972, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
18-22 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 006

Survey site name: BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION; PORTION OF HABITAT

RECENTLY BURNED.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: BIG HOLE BATTLEFIELD

Township-range: 002S017W Section: 24
Township-range comments: W2SE4 , 13SW4 , 23SE4

Survey date: 1983-07-26 Elevation: 6320
First observation: 1976 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-07-08 Size (acres) : 50

Location:

BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD, 9 MILES WEST OF WISDOM ON ST.
HWY. 43.

Element occurrence data:

THREE SUBPOPULATIONS , WITH 447 PLANTS (S. OF "SIEGE AREA" &
ROADCUT ALONG SLOPE), "HUNDREDS" (N. OF "SIEGE AREA"), AND
CA. 40 BELOW VISITOR'S CENTER; NO PLANTS FOUND OUTSIDE
BATTLEFIELD BOUNDARIES.

General site description:

SAGEBRUSH STEPPE PORTION OF SE. FACE OF BATTLE MTN. , AND ON
NW. -FACING BENCHLAND BELOW VISITOR'S CENTER; ARTEMISIA
TRIDENTATA/AGROPYRON SPICATUM/FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS.

Land owner/manager:

BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD

Comments :

VOUCHERS: HITCHCOCK (19189), NO DATE, WTU; WATSON, T. J . ( 1271) ,
1976, MONTU (093357); PIERCE, J. (798), 1980, MONTU (86884).

Information source:

PIERCE, JOHN. 737 LOCUST STREET, MISSOULA, MT 59802.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHI ENS IS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

■

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 007

Survey site name: MEDICINE TREE CREEK

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: VERY SMALL POPULATION, MOSTLY ON

ROADSIDE, WEEDY AREA.

County: RAVALLI

USGS quadrangle: ROBBINS GULCH

Township-range: 002N020W Section: 21
Township-range comments: NE4SE4,SW4NE4

Survey date: 1989-06-29 Elevation: 4150
First observation: 1950 Slope/aspect: 8-35% / S,SW

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 2

Location:

EAST FORK BITTERROOT RIVER DRAINAGE, NORTH SIDE OF U.S. HWY.
93, 0.1 MI. WEST OF MEDICINE TREE CREEK, AND 0.3 AIR MI.
NORTHWEST OF HWY. BRIDGE OVER CREEK, CA. 2.5 MILES SOUTHEAST
OF CONNER.

Element occurrence data:

10 PLANTS OBSERVED, 7 ON ROADCUT, 3 ON SLOPES ABOVE.

General site description:

GRANITIC, GRAVELLY TO SANDY LOAM SOILS, ON ROADCUT AND WEEDY
SLOPES; PINUS PONDEROSA/PURSHIA TRIDENTATA HABITAT, WITH
CENTAUREA MACULOSA, BROMUS TECTORUM, KOELERIA CRISTATA,
BALSAMORHIZA SAGITTATA, PHACELIA LINEARIS, P. HETEROPHYLLA,
PHYSARIA GEYERI, ALYSSUM ALYSSOIDES, AGROPYRON SPICATUM,
VERBASCUM THAPSUS, ARABIS HOLBOELLII.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments :

VOUCHER - SHELLY, J.S. (1568) AND A. KRATZ , 1989; POSSIBLE
RELOCATION OF HISTORICAL RECORD: MCCALL, T.G. & V.C. (352),
1950, MONTU (49394): "BETWEEN CONNER AND SULA, ON ROCKY
HILLSIDE ABOVE RIVER."

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS IN RAVALLI COUNTY, 26-29
JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.008

Survey site name: JOHNSON GULCH

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: DEER CANYON

Township-range: 011S011W Section: 18
Township-range comments: SE4

Survey date: 1984-07-06 Elevation: 6500
First observation: 1984 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1984-07-06 Size (acres) : 0

Location:

NORTH SIDE OF JOHNSON GULCH, ALONG THE ROAD CA. 10 MI. SE,
OF GRANT.

Element occurrence data:

ONE PLANT (SPECIMEN IS ONE TOPSNATCHED STEM) .

General site description:

SILTY SOIL OF A BENCH; WITH ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA AND
AGROPYRON SPICATUM.

Land owner/manager:

BLM: DILLON RESOURCE AREA, BUTTE DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER- LES I CA, P. (3110), 1984, MONTU (06215).

Information source:

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

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 009

Survey site name: FRENCH CREEK

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION; NATIVE HABITAT, BUT

NEAR ROAD AND MINES.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: ERMONT

Township-range: 006S011W Section: 11
Township-range comments: E2, 14NE4NW4, 2SE4SE4 , 1W2SW4

Survey date: 1986-06-19 Elevation: 7000
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1989-07-27 Size (acres) : 40

Location:

PIONEER MOUNTAINS, SLOPES ALONG WEST SIDE OF FRENCH CREEK,
ALONG THE FRENCH CREEK-THIEF CREEK ROAD (BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD.
#606) 4 AIR MILES NW. OF ARGENTA; ALSO, MOUTH OF RED GULCH.

Element occurrence data:

138 PLANTS COUNTED (CA. 150 TOTAL) IN MAIN POPULATION, WITH
22 PLANTS COUNTED IN SUBPOPULATION AT THE MOUTH OF RED GULCH
(1986); 1845 PLANTS, IN 13 SUBPOPULATIONS , COUNTED IN 1988
(K. SCOW); AREA SUBJECT TO MINING DISTURBANCE; TWO
MONITORING TRANSECTS ESTABLISHED IN 1989.

General site description:

STEEP, E. & SE. -FACING SLOPES, IN GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS;
ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS/AGROPYRON SPICATUM,
WITH JUNIPERUS SCOPULORUM, PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, ARTEMISIA
FRIGIDA.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, DILLON RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1130) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
18-22 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.010

Survey site name: QUARTZ HILL GULCH

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: GOOD POPULATION, MOSTLY IN NATIVE

HABITAT; SOME ALONG ROAD.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: VIPOND PARK

Township-range: 001S011W Section: 26
Township-range comments: E2SE4

Survey date: 1986-07-08 Elevation: 8000
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-07-08 Size (acres) : 15

Location:

HEAD OF QUARTZ HILL GULCH, ALONG BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD. 187;
0.7 AIR MILES ENE. OF GRAY JOCKEY PEAK, CA. 5 AIR MI. SSE.
OF WISE RIVER, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

Element occurrence data:

203 PLANTS COUNTED, IN FLOWER; NEARBY AREAS SUBJECT TO
MINING DISTURBANCE.

General site description:

EAST-FACING SLOPE, ON CLAY LOAM SOILS; OPENINGS IN PINUS
CONTORTA/PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII FOREST, WITH JUNIPERUS
COMMUNIS, TOWNSENDIA PARRYI, PEDICULARIS CONTORTA.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, WISE RIVER RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1192), 1986, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF 8-9
JULY.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. Oil

Survey site name: ECHO GULCH

EO rank: AB
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION, MOSTLY IN UNDISTURBED

HABITAT .

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: VIPOND PARK

Township-range: 001S011W Section: 36
Township-range comments: W2,35E2SE4

Survey date: 1986-07-08 Elevation: 8100
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-07-08 Size (acres) : 45

Location:

NEAR HEAD OF ECHO GULCH, SLOPES 0-0.5 AIR MI. N. OF VIPOND
PARK, ALONG BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD. 187; 0.5-0.75 AIR MI. W. AND
SW. OF QUARTZ HILL, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

Element occurrence data:

252 PLANTS COUNTED IN SOUTH SUBPOPULATION, 100-150 PLANTS IN
NORTH SUBPOPULATION; IN FLOWER; MINING TEST PITS OBSERVED
NEAR NORTH SUBPOPULATION.

General site description:

SOUTH AND EAST-FACING SLOPES, ON GRAVELLY SILT LOAM SOILS;
PINUS CONTORTA/GRASSLAND, WITH PEDICULARIS CONTORTA, TOWN-
SENDIA PARRYI, ANTENNARIA MICROPHYLLA, FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, WISE RIVER RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1199), 1986, MONTU ; AREA NEEDS
ADDITIONAL SURVEY.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF 8-9

JULY.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 012

Survey site name: RED BUTTE

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: MODERATE-SIZED POPULATION; HABITAT IN

GOOD CONDITION.

County : BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: ERMONT

Township-range: 006S011W Section: 15
Township-range comments: NE4,10S2

Survey date: 1986-06-19 Elevation: 6800
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1989-07-27 Size (acres) : 20

Location:

CA. 4.5 AIR MI. NW. OF ARGENTA, CENTERED 0.5 AIR MI. ESE. OF
RED BUTTE, RATTLESNAKE CREEK DRAINAGE CA. 1 MI . SE. OF KELLY
RESERVOIR, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

Element occurrence data:

142 PLANTS COUNTED IN MAIN SUBPOPULATION (CENTRUM) , 169
TOTAL, 3 SUBPOPULATIONS (1986); NO PLANTS OBSERVED IN MAIN
SUBPOPULATION IN 1988 (K. SCOW) , AND ONLY CA. 12 IN 1989
(SHELLY) ; MAIN POPULATION NEAR, BUT NOT RIGHT ALONG, A
LIGHTLY-USED GRAVEL ROAD.

General site description:

S. AND SW. -FACING SLOPES, LOAMY SOILS; ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/

FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS/AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH SENECIO CANUS ,

PHACELIA LINEARIS, KOELERIA MACRANTHA, PSME .

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, DILLON RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1133) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
18-22 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 013

Survey site name: BLACK MOUNTAIN ROAD

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: SMALLER POPULATION, MANY PLANTS ON

ROADSIDE.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: ERMONT

Township-range: 006S011W Section: 21
Township-range comments: W2SE4NE4, 20SE4SE4

Survey date: 1986-06-20 Elevation: 7200
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-06-20 Size (acres) : 20

Location:

CA. 5 AIR MI WNW. OF ARGENTA, ALONG BLACK MOUNTAIN ROAD
(BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD. #2400) CA. 3 AIR MI. SSE. OF BLACK
MOUNTAIN, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

Element occurrence data:

CA. 100-125 PLANTS TOTAL, MAINLY IN TWO SUBPOPULATIONS AND
SCATTERED ALONG ROADSIDE; IN FLOWER.

General site description:

EAST AND SE. -FACING SLOPES, RED-COLORED LOAM SOILS;
ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, WITH PHACELIA
LINEARIS, ERIOGONUM, ASTER, BERBERIS.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, DILLON RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1142) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
18-22 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 014

Survey site name: ERMONT GULCH

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION, NATIVE HABITAT

IMPACTED BY GRAZING.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: ERMONT

Township-range: 006S011W Section: 33
Township-range comments: NE4SE4,34W2

Survey date: 1986-06-20 Elevation: 6740
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1989-07-27 Size (acres) : 5

Location:

CA 4.3 AIR MI. WSW. OF ARGENTA, ALONG BEAVERHEAD N.F. RD.
#7467 AT HEAD OF ERMONT GULCH, CA. 2.2 AIR MI. N. OF BADGER
PASS, PIONEER MOUNTAINS.

Element occurrence data:

76 PLANTS COUNTED (1986); ONLY ONE PLANT SEEN IN 1989; AREA
SUBJECT TO MODERATE TO HEAVY GRAZING.

General site description:

SE. -FACING SLOPE, LOAM SOILS; ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/FESTUCA
IDAHOENSIS, ANTENNARIA MICROPHYLLA, KOELERIA MACRANTHA,
COMANDRA UMBELLATA, ERIOGONUM.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, DILLON RANGER DISTRICT
BLM: DILLON RESOURCE AREA, BUTTE DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (114 6) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF OF
18-22 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.015

Survey site name: ROBERTS GULCH

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION, NATIVE HABITAT IN GOOD

CONDITION.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: COYOTE CREEK

Township-range: 009S014W Section: 33
Township-range comments: N2SE4

Survey date: 1986-06-22 Elevation: 6520
First observation: 1986 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1986-06-22 Size (acres) : 5

Location:

MOUTH OF ROBERTS GULCH, CA. 1 AIR MI. NW. OF BLOODY DICK
CREEK, CA. 12.5 AIR MI. WEST OF GRANT AND 6.5 AIR MI. ENE,
OF LEMHI PASS.

Element occurrence data:

54 PLANTS COUNTED; IN FLOWER; HABITAT RELATIVELY
UNDISTURBED, SOME GRAZING USE.

General site description:

EAST-FACING SLOPE ALONG SMALL DRAINAGE, LOAM SOILS;
ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/AGROPYRON SPICATUM, CHRYSOTHAMNUS
VISCIDIFLORUS, ARTEMISIA FRIGIDA, LUPINUS, ANTENNARIA.

Land owner/manager:

BLM: DILLON RESOURCE AREA, BUTTE DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER- SHELLY, J.S. (1156) AND G.V. KING, 1986, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1986. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
18-22 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 016

Survey site name: TRAPPER CREEK

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: SMALL, VULNERABLE ROADSIDE POPULATION.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: CATTLE GULCH

Township-range: 002S010W Section: 20
Township-range comments: W2SE4

Survey date: 1987-06-16 Elevation: 6800
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1987-06-16 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

PIONEER MOUNTAINS, TRAPPER CREEK DRAINAGE, ALONG BEAVERHEAD
N.F. RD. #188; ABOUT 10 MILES WEST OF MELROSE; ABOUT 1 AIR
MILE SSE. OF ORE CAMP HILL.

Element occurrence data:

18 PLANTS COUNTED; FLOWERING; POPULATION OCCURS RIGHT ALONG
ROADSIDE.

General site description:

GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS, ON ROADSIDE; ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/
AGROPYRON SPICATUM/FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, GERANIUM
VISCOSISSIMUM, ERIOGONUM UMBELLATUM.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, WISE RIVER RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1335), 1987, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
16-19 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 017

Survey site name: BROWNES LAKE

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION; PARTIALLY ALONG

ROADSIDE.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: STORM PEAK

Township-range: 003S010W Section: 34
Township-range comments: S2SW4

Survey date: 1987-06-17 Elevation: 6650
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1987-06-17 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

PIONEER MOUNTAINS, ROCK CREEK DRAINAGE, ALONG ROCK CREEK
ROAD ABOUT 6 MILES WEST OF 1-15, NEAR WEST END OF BROWNES
LAKE.

Element occurrence data:

ONLY 4 PLANTS SEEN, 2 ON ROADSIDE AND 2 ON NATURAL SLOPE
ABOVE ROAD.

General site description:

GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS, ON ROADSIDE AND SLOPE ABOVE ROAD;
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/AGROPYRON SPICATUM, WITH CERCOCARPUS
MONTANUS, SENECIO CANUS, PENSTEMON ARIDUS.

Land owner/manager:

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

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1339), 1987, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
16-19 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 018

Survey site name: KEARNS CREEK

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: SMALLER POPULATION; SOME MINING AND

GRAZING NEARBY.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: ERMONT

Township-range: 006S011W Section: 16
Township-range comments: NE4 , 15N2SW4 ,S2NW4

Survey date: 1987-06-17 Elevation: 6900
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1988 Size (acres) : 5

Location:

PIONEER MOUNTAINS, KEARNS CREEK, ADJACENT TO SILVER RULE
MINE; ABOUT 0.5 AIR MILE SOUTHWEST OF RED BUTTE; ABOUT 0.75
AIR MILE WEST OF RATTLESNAKE CREEK.

Element occurrence data:

52 PLANTS COUNTED, 4 SUBPOPULATIONS (1987); MOST ABUNDANT ON
EAST-FACING SLOPE ALONG CREEK, ON GRAVELLY OPEN SLOPE; SOME
GRAZING AND MINING ACTIVITY IN THE AREA; FIFTH
SUBPOPULATION, CONTAINING 40 PLANTS, LOCATED IN 1988 BY K.
SCOW.

General site description:

GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS; ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/FESTUCA
IDAHOENSIS, WITH SENECIO CANUS, BALSAMORHIZA SAGITTATA,
HELIANTHELLA QUINQUENERVIS, LUPINUS SERICEUS, PSEUDOTSUGA
MENZIESII, PINUS CONTORTA.

Land owner/manager:

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

Comments:

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1342), 1987, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
16-19 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.019

Survey site name: BADGER PASS NORTH

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: MODERATE-SIZED POPULATION; FAIR TO GOOD

CONDITION RANGELAND.

County : BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: BANNACK

Township-range: 007S011W Section: 09
Township-range comments : NE4NE4 , 10NW4 , 3SW4

Survey date: 1987-06-18 Elevation: 6980
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1989-07-28 Size (acres) : 4

Location:

SOUTHERN PIONEER MOUNTAINS, 0.7-1.2 AIR MILES NNE. OF BADGER
PASS; ABOUT 15 AIR MILES WEST OF DILLON.

Element occurrence data:

ABOUT 200 PLANTS COUNTED, POPULATION = EST. 300+ PLANTS, 3
SUBPOPULATIONS OBSERVED; FLOWERING; NUMEROUS PLANTS GROWING
THROUGH BRANCHES OF SAGEBRUSH SHRUBS; AREA IS LIGHTLY TO
MODERATELY GRAZED; PERMANENT MONITORING TRANSECT ESTABLISHED
IN 1989.

General site description:

BROWN LOAM SOILS; ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA/FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS,
WITH PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, BALSAMORHIZA SAGITTATA, LUPINUS
SERICEUS, ANTENNARIA MICRO PHYLLA, ASTER STENOMERES.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, DILLON RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1343), 1987, MONTU.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1987. FIELD SURVEYS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF
16-19 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 02 0

Survey site name: SELWAY CREEK

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: VERY SMALL POPULATION; NATIVE HABITAT,

SOME GRAZING IMPACTS.

County : BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: KITTY CREEK

Township-range: 008S015W Section: 27
Township-range comments: SW4NE4

Survey date: 1989-06-29 Elevation: 7200
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect: 20-30% / EAST

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

BLOODY DICK CREEK DRAINAGE, SLOPES ABOVE SELWAY CREEK, ABOUT
2 MILES SOUTHEAST OF RESERVOIR LAKE; ABOUT 4 MILES EAST OF
MONTANA-IDAHO STATE LINE.

Element occurrence data:

SIX PLANTS OBSERVED, IN 2 CLUMPS (19 JUNE 1987); FLOWERING;
PLANTS ASSOCIATED WITH STEEP ROCK OUTCROP AREAS, AND NOT
OBSERVED IN DENSER SURROUNDING VEGETATION. 10 PLANTS
OBSERVED IN 1989.

General site description:

ROCK OUTCROPS; ARTEMISIA TRIDENT AT A/ FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, WITH
ERIOGONUM UMBELLATUM, PHACELIA FRANKLINII, SEDUM
LANCEOLATUM, LUPINUS SERICEUS, PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, PICO.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, DILLON RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

VOUCHER-SHELLY, J.S. (1344), 1987, MONTU. SHELLY, J.S. 1987.
FIELD SURVEYS OF BEAVERHEAD COUNTY OF 16-19 JUNE.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA
26-30 JUNE (Penstemon lemhiensis) .

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritaae Proaram

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 021

Survey site name: WEST OF BIG HOLE BATTLEFIELD

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: UNMAPPABLE

Township-range: Section:
Township-range comments:

Survey date: 1947-07-23 Elevation: 5000
First observation: 1947 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1947-07-23 Size (acres) : 0

Location:

WEST OF BIG HOLE BATTLEFIELD (HISTORICAL COLLECTION) .

Element occurrence data:

UNKNOWN; MAY POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN FROM JUST OUTSIDE WESTERN
BOUNDARY OF BIG HOLE BATTLEFIELD, IN AREA THAT IS NOW
DISTURBED BY GRAZING (1986); ELEVATION GIVEN IS LOWER THAN
PRESENT IN AREA.

General site description:
SAGEBRUSH AREA.

Land owner/manager:

Comments :

SPECIMEN DETERMINED BY D. KECK; FIRST MONTANA RECORD.

Information source:

ROSE, FRANK H. (3502). 1947. SPECIMEN #092520 UM.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 022

Survey site name: MEDICINE LODGE CREEK

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: TEPEE MOUNTAIN

Township-range: 013S012W Section: 03
Township-range comments: SE4NE4 ,NE4SE4

Survey date: 1987- - Elevation: 6970
First observation: 1987 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1987- - Size (acres) : 20

Location:

MEDICINE LODGE CREEK DRAINAGE, 0.15 AIR MILES WNW OF
CONFLUENCE OF MEDICINE LODGE AND HILDRETH CREEKS, CA. 19 AIR
MILES SOUTH OF GRANT.

Element occurrence data:

UNKNOWN; POPULATION REPORTED TO BE LARGE BY J. CHRISTENSEN.

General site description:

UNKNOWN; SPECIES OFTEN OCCURS IN SAGEBRUSH/BUNCHGRASS
HABITATS AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments :

SITE REPORTED BY J. CHRISTENSEN, BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST;
STATUS UNCERTAIN - DURING SURVEYS IN 1989, THIS SITE WAS
INACCESSIBLE OWING TO PRESENCE OF POSTED PRIVATE LAND (L.
SCHASSBERGER) .

Information source:

CHRISTENSEN, JIM. BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, DILLON RANGER
DISTRICT, 610 N. MONTANA ST., DILLON, MT 59725.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHI ENS IS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 023

Survey site name: MINER CREEK

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: HEAVILY GRAZED, INVASIVE WEEDS.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: MINER LAKE

Township-range: 006S016W Section: 02
Township-range comments: SE4

Survey date: 1989-06-30 Elevation: 7080
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 3-15% / ESE

Last observation: 1989-06-30 Size (acres) : 10

Location:

BIGHOLE VALLEY, CA. 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF JACKSON, NORTH OF
F.S. ROAD 182.

Element occurrence data:

UNCOMMON, 17 PLANTS IN 1989.

General site description:

SAGEBRUSH GRASSLAND WITH SPERGULA ARVENSIS, ERIOGONUM
UMBELLATUM, CAREX FILIFOLIA, LUPINUS SERICEUS.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, WISDOM RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER - SCHASSBERGER, L.S. (311), 1989, (MONTU) .

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.S. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA
OF 26-30 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 024

Survey site name: FROG CREEK

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: COYOTE CREEK

Township-range: 009S014W Section: 21
Township-range comments: SW4

Survey date: 1989-06-29 Elevation: 7280
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 8-15% / EAST

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

HORSE PRAIRIE, CA. 1 MILE NORTHWEST OF HORSE PRAIRIE GUARD
STATION.

Element occurrence data:
26 PLANTS IN 1989.

General site description:

ON ROADSIDE EMBANKMENT WITH BALSAMORHIZA SAGITTATA,
ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA, CASTILLEJA PALLESCENS, FESTUCA
IDAHOENSIS AND FRAGARIA VESCA.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)
BLM: DILLON RESOURCE AREA, BUTTE DISTRICT

Comments :

POPULATION COULD BE ELIMINATED THROUGH ROAD MAINTENANCE.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA,
26-30 JUNE (PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS) .

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.025

Survey site name: BRISTON LANE

EO rank: A
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: HIGHLAND RANCH

Township-range: 003S016W Section: 35
Township-range comments: NE4,S2

Survey date: 1989-06-30 Elevation: 6260
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 8-15% / EAST

Last observation: 1989-06-30 Size (acres) : 10

Location:

CA. 5.5 MILES SSW OF WISDOM. CA. 3.5 MILES ALONG BRISTON
LANE, JUST WEST OF THE ROAD.

Element occurrence data:
110 PLANTS IN 1989.

General site description:

SITE WAS BURNED (SAGEBRUSH GONE) AND IS GRAZED. ASSOCIATED
SPECIES INCLUDE AGROPYRON SPICATUM, STIPA COMATA, ERIOGONUM
UMBELLATUM VAR SUBALPINUM, SEDUM LANCEOLATUM, GERANIUM
VISCOSISSIMUM AND SPERGULA ARVENSIS.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments :

BURNING AND GRAZING APPEARS TO HAVE IMPROVED THE HABITAT FOR
P. LEMHIENSIS.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA,
26-3 0 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.026

Survey site name: SWAMP CREEK

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: AROUND CATTLE SALT LICK.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: HIGHLAND RANCH

Township-range: 003S016W Section: 04
Township-range comments: E2

Survey date: 1989-06-30 Elevation: 6260
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 0-3% / SE

Last observation: 1989-06-30 Size (acres) : 3

Location:

BIGHOLE VALLEY, CA. 5.2 MILES WEST OF WISDOM, ALONG SWAMP
CREEK RD., SOUTH OF ROAD.

Element occurrence data:
23 PLANTS IN 1989.

General site description:

IN OPEN ROCKY GROUND, WITH ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA, SEDUM
LANCEOLATUM, ASTRAGALUS MISER, TARAXACUM OFFICINALE, STIPA
COMATA AND POA SECUNDA.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments :

CATTLE DISTURBANCE AROUND SALT LICK APPEARS TO HAVE ENHANCED
HABITAT FOR THIS SPECIES.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS IN SOUTHWESTERN
MONTANA OF 26-3 0 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 027

Survey site name: HORSE PRAIRIE GUARD STATION

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: VERY SMALL POPULATION.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: COYOTE CREEK

Township-range: 009S014W Section: 27
Township-range comments: NW4SW4

Survey date: 1989-06-29 Elevation: 6690
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 3-8% / SOUTH

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : l

Location:

HORSE PRAIRIE, CA. 0.5 MILES SE OF HORSE PRAIRIE GUARD
STATION .

Element occurrence data:

ONLY 3 PLANTS, ON A ROADCUT.

General site description:

ON ROADSIDE, WITH ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA, BALSAMORHIZA
SAGITTATA, CASTILLEJA PALLESCENS, FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, AND

FRAGARIA VESCA.

Land owner/manager:

BLM: DILLON RESOURCE AREA, BUTTE DISTRICT

Comments :
NONE.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEY OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA,
26-30 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 028

Survey site name: BLOODY DICK CREEK I

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: ROADCUT POPULATION.

County : BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: COYOTE CREEK

Township-range: 009S014W Section: 31
Township-range comments: W2 ,SE4 ;T10SR14W: 5NW4

Survey date: 1989-06-29 Elevation: 6600
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 0-3% / SW

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 2

Location:

HORSE PRAIRIE, ALONG BLOODY DICK CREEK, CA. 7.1 MILES WEST
OF RED BUTTE.

Element occurrence data:

34 PLANTS, FOUR SMALL SUBPOPULATIONS (1989).

General site description:

PLANTS ALONG ROADSIDE, WITH ARTEMISIA TRIPARTITA, FESTUCA
IDAHOENSIS, AGROPYRON SPICATUM AND CASTILLEJA PALLESCENS.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)
BLM: DILLON RESOURCE AREA, BUTTE DISTRICT

Comments:

AREAS WHICH HAD FEW OR NO PLANTS IN 1988, HAD AS MANY AS
10-15 PLANTS IN 1989.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEY OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA,
26-30 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.029

Survey site name: BLOODY DICK CREEK 2

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION, CLOSE TO ROADWAY.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: EVERSON CREEK

Township-range: 010S014W Section: 05
Township-range comments: NW4;4N2

Survey date: 1989-06-29 Elevation: 4440
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 0-8% / SW

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 2

Location:

HORSE PRAIRIE, CA. 5.1 MILES WEST OF RED BUTTE, ALONG BLOODY
DICK CREEK ROAD.

Element occurrence data:

22 PLANTS, FOUR SMALL SUBPOPULATIONS (1989).

General site description:

WITH ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA, CASTILLEJA PALLESCENS ,
ORTHOCARPUS LUTEUS AND AGROPYRON SPICATUM.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)
BLM: DILLON RESOURCE AREA, BUTTE DISTRICT

Comments :
NONE.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA,
26-30 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.03 0

Survey site name: SPRING GULCH

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

County: RAVALLI

USGS quadrangle: ROBBINS GULCH

Township-range: 003N020W Section: 24
Township-range comments: SE4SE4

Survey date: 1989-06-27 Elevation: 5200
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 35%+ / SE

Last observation: 1989-06-27 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

WESTERN FOOTHILLS OF SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, RYE CREEK DRAINAGE,
SPRING GULCH, 1.15 AIR MILES NORTHEAST OF CONFLUENCE OF RYE
CREEK AND NORTH FORK RYE CREEK, CA. 8 AIR MILES ESE OF
DARBY.

Element occurrence data:

FOUR PLANTS OBSERVED; ONE FLOWERING, 3 STERILE ROSETTES;
HABITAT SERIOUSLY IMPACTED BY KNAPWEED INVASION.

General site description:

GRANITIC GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS; PURSHIA TRIDENTATA/AGROPYRON
SPICATUM HABITAT, WITH CENTAUREA MACULOSA, BALSAMORHIZA
SAGITTATA, BROMUS TECTORUM, KOELERIA CRISTATA, POA SECUNDA,
ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM, DESCURAINIA RICHARDSONII , PHACELIA
LINEARIS, LOMATIUM DISSECTUM, TRAGOPOGON DUBIUS.

Land owner/manager:

BITTERROOT NATIONAL FOREST, DARBY RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

SIGHT RECORD, NO VOUCHER SPECIMEN COLLECTED; SITE SURVEYED
WITH A. KRATZ, BITTERROOT / LOLO N.F.S.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS IN RAVALLI COUNTY, 26-29
JUNE.

F I Pfiw*nt Orrtirrwir* P^rnrH - Mont Arm Natural H^n'tAQA PrnorAm

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.031

Survey site name: ROBBINS GULCH

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION, IN FAIRLY WEEDY AREA.

County: RAVALLI

USGS quadrangle: ROBBINS GULCH

Township-range: 002N020W Section: 16
Township-range comments: N2NW4,9SE4SW4

Survey date: 1989-06-29 Elevation: 4500
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 8-35%. / SE

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 5

Location:

WESTERN FOOTHILLS OF SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, EAST FORK
BITTERROOT RIVER DRAINAGE, ROBBINS GULCH, NORTH OF
BITTERROOT N.F. RD. #446, CA. 1 MILE NORTHEAST OF U.S. HWY.
93.

Element occurrence data:

14 PLANTS OBSERVED, IN 5 SMALL COLONIES; 8 FLOWERING, 6
ROSETTES, ONE PLANT ON ROADSIDE.

General site description:

GRANITIC, SANDY TO GRAVELLY LOAM SOILS; PINUS
PONDEROSA/PURSHIA TRIDENTATA HABITAT, WITH KOELERIA
CRISTATA, CENTAUREA MACULOSA, AGROPYRON SPICATUM,
BALSAMORHIZA SAGITTATA, PHACELIA LINEARIS, POA SECUNDA,
ALYSSUM ALYSSOIDES, LITHOSPERMUM RUDERALE, PENSTEMON
ALBERTINUS .

Land owner/manager:

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

Comments :

VOUCHER - SHELLY, J.S. (1569) AND A. KRATZ, 1989.

Information source:

SHELLY, J.S. 1989. FIELD SURVEYS IN RAVALLI COUNTY, 2 6-29
JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHI ENS IS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 032

Survey site name: POLARIS

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: POLARIS - 15'

Township-range: 005S012W Section: 30
Township-range comments: NE4NE4 ; 19SE4SE4

Survey date: Elevation: 6400

First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 35% / EAST

Last observation: 1989-06-28 Size (acres) : 0

Location:

GRASSHOPPER CREEK RD. , CA. 0.5 MILES NORTH OF POLARIS, CA.
0.1 MILE NORTH OF GRASSHOPPER CREEK CROSSING, IMMEDIATELY
NORTH OF GRAVEL PIT.

Element occurrence data:

POPULATION OF 50+ PLANTS IN 1989.

General site description:

GROWING ON EAST-FACING ROADCUT IN ALLUVIUM WITH 50 PERCENT
COARSE FRAGMENTS, WITH ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA, CHRYSOTHAMNUS
NAUSEOSUS, AGROPYRON SPICATUM, AND BROMUS TECTORUM.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments:

PLANTENBERG - "THE SITE WILL EVENTUALLY BE LOST TO KNAPWEED
CONTROL - ACTIVE ROADCUT."

Information source:

PLANTENBERG, PATRICK L. DEPT. OF STATE LANDS, HARD ROCK
BUREAU, RECLAMATION DIVISION, 1625 11TH AVE., HELENA, MT
59620.

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 03 3

Survey site name: SHALE CREEK

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: POLARIS - 15'

Township-range: 005S012W Section: 08
Township-range comments: SW4SW4

Survey date: Elevation: 6560

First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 3 5% / EAST

Last observation: 1989-06-28 Size (acres) : 0

Location:

GRASSHOPPER CREEK RD. , CA. 2.5 MILES NORTH OF POLARIS, ON
CREST OF HILL.

Element occurrence data:

POPULATION OF 2 PLANTS IN 1989.

General site description:

ON EAST FACING ROADCUT. IN DEEP LOAMY SOIL, WITH LESS THAN
5% COARSE FRAGMENTS, WITH ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA, GUTIERREZIA
SAROTHRAE, AGROPYRON SPICATUM, AND BROMUS TECTORUM.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments :

PLANTENBERG - "SITE WILL EVENTUALLY BE ELIMINATED BY
KNAPWEED CONTROL - ACTIVE ROADCUT."

Information source:

PLANTENBERG, PATRICK L. DEPT. OF STATE LANDS, HARD ROCK
BUREAU, RECLAMATION DIVISION, 1625 11TH AVE., HELENA, MT
59620.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 034

Survey site name: BLOODY DICK CREEK III

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: CLOSE TO ROADWAYS, BUT LARGE

POPULATIONS .

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: KITTY CREEK

Township-range: 009S015W Section: 25
Township-range comments: SW4

Survey date: 1989-06-29 Elevation: 6600
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 0-30% / SW

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 15

Location:

BLOODY DICK CREEK RD. , CA. 0.75 MILE SOUTH OF EAST PETERSON
CK.

Element occurrence data:

74 PLANTS IN 3 SUBPOPULATIONS IN 1989.

General site description:

SOUTHWEST SLOPE, WITH ARTEMISIA TRIPARTITA, FESTUCA
IDAHOENSIS, AGROPYRON SPICATUM, AND CASTILLEJA PALLESCENS.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments :

VOUCHER - SCHASSBERGER, L.A. (303), 1989.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989, FIELD SURVEY OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA,
26-30 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 035

Survey site name: DUTCH CREEK

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: SMALL ROADSIDE POPULATION.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: KITTY CREEK

Township-range: 009S015W Section: 14
Township-range comments: SW4,23NE4

Survey date: 1989-06-29 Elevation: 6760
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 0-35% / SW

Last observation: 1989-06-29 Size (acres) : 12

Location:

BLOODY DICK CREEK RD. , CA. 0.25 MILE NORTH AND 0.3 MILE
SOUTH OF DUTCH CREEK.

Element occurrence data:

CA. 30 PLANTS IN 2 SUBPOPULATIONS IN 1989.

General site description:

ROADSIDE POPULATIONS IN ROCKY LOAM SOILS, WITH ARTEMISIA
TRIDENTATA AND FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, DILLON RANGER DISTRICT
BLM: DILLON RESOURCE AREA, BUTTE DISTRICT

Comments:

VOUCHER - SCHASSBERGER, L.A. (302), 1989.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEY OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA,
26-30 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0. 03 6

Survey site name: BLANCHARD POND

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: POPULATION IN ROADCUT.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: JACKSON

Township-range: 006S015W Section: 33
Township-range comments: NE4SE4

Survey date: 1989-06-30 Elevation: 6880
First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: 3-8% / EAST

Last observation: 1989-06-30 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

BIG HOLE RIVER DRAINAGE, SKINNER MEADOWS RD. , CA. 6.5 MILES
SSW OF JACKSON.

Element occurrence data:
61 PLANTS COUNTED.

General site description:

ON (ALLUVIAL) ROAD EMBANKMENT, WITH ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA,
ERIOGONUM • UMBELLATUM VARIETIES SUBALPINUM AND INTECTUM, AND
ERIOPHYLLUM LANATUM.

Land owner/manager:

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments:

VOUCHER - SCHASSBERGER, L.A. (309), 1989. POPULATION MAY BE
DESTROYED THROUGH ROAD MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES.

Information source:

SCHASSBERGER, L.A. 1989. FIELD SURVEY OF SOUTHWEST MONTANA,
26-30 JUNE.

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

PENSTEMON LEMHIENSIS
LEMHI BEARDTONGUE

Global rank: G3 Forest Service status: SENSITIVE LIST
State rank: S2 Federal Status: C2

Element occurrence code: PDSCR1L3N0.037

Survey site name: WOODS CREEK

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: RAVALLI

USGS quadrangle: PAINTED ROCKS LAKE (15')

Township-range: 003S022W Section: 20
Township-range comments: 19,21

Survey date: Elevation: 54 4 0

First observation: 1989 Slope/aspect: - / SOUTH?

Last observation: 1989- Size (acres) : 0

Location:

WOODS CREEK, PAST PAINTED ROCKS RESERVOIR.

Element occurrence data:
7 PLANTS COUNTED.

General site description:
ROADBANK.

Land owner/manager:

BITTERROOT NATIONAL FOREST, WEST FORK RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

EXACT LOCATION UNKNOWN; SPECIES MAY OCCUR FARTHER UP WOODS
CREEK DRAINAGE.

Information source:

ALBERT, W. (INFORMATION FORWARDED BY K. McBRIDE, BITTERROOT
NATIONAL FOREST) .

Element Occurrence Record - Montana Natural Heritage Program

MONTANA

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Full text of "Report on the conservation status of Penstemon lemhiensis, a candidate threatened species : Montana"

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