Rapid ecological assessment of selected state lands in southcentral Montana for plant species of special concern

Vanderhors tt James
581.529 P

Nllreas Rapid ecological
1993 assessraent of

selected state

lands in

southcentral

7

^q^KjtM-^"^^^'

'FEB

<i^^-ce_;

RAPID ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT wr

SELECTED STATE LANDS IN SOUTHCENTRAL MONTANA

FOR PLANT SPECIES OF SPECL\L CONCERN

ST4TF DOCUMENTS COLLECTION

JUN 22 1994

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

1515 E. 6th AVE-
HELENA. MONTANA 59620

Prepared by:

James P. Vanderhorst

Montana Natural Heritage Program

State Library Building

1515 East Sixth Avenue

Helena, Montana 59620

Prepared for:

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
Parks Division - Region Five
2300 Lake Elmo Drive
Billings, Montana 59105

PI.

.-***%

?w ' tt

October 1993

^'i^

v.^;{;?

, V.-.- • ■:■ ^:^7y--- 'i*,

■ ■ -■ "^ '.-tK'V'.Vf --
■"<'■■•■ .-•'•; ■J; ''■'►■■»■-■,,',..< i

' r' ■■ :■'■-• ■' -■''.■ '-■■'-'-, ♦-■> ■'

• -■ '■' ■«■ VA' ■ '■ . ■■'• ' "'-■: •■1-- '• '''

■'■"."'A ''%,

".'i;'

■'C>.

. > , -.J

irs

581.529
Nllreas
19 93

1 1

'FEB 2 3

RAPID ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT wr

SELECTED STATE LANDS IN SOUTHCENTRAL MONTANA

FOR PLANT SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN

ST^TF nocumms collection
JUN22|99^

MONTANA STATE^UBRA«V
HELENA, MONTANA 59620

Prepared by:

James P. Vanderhorst

Montana Natural Heritage Program

State Library Building

1515 East Sixth Avenue

Helena, Montana 59 62 0

Prepared for:

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
Parks Division - Region Five
2300 Lake Elmo Drive
Billings, Montana 59105

October 1993

I

© 1993 Montana Natural Heritage Progreun

This document should be cited as follows: Vanderhorst, J. P.
1993. Rapid ecological assessment of selected state lands in
southcentral Montana for plant species of special concern.
Montana Natural Heritage Progreim. Helena, MT. iii + 3 0 pp.
plus slides

TABLE OF CONTENTS

page

TABLES AND FIGURES iii

INTRODUCTION 1

METHODS 2

RESULTS 4

CONCLUSION 24

LITERATURE CITED 27

APPENDIX 1. Element occurrence record for

Eupatorium maculatum 28

APPENDIX 2. Species list for Chief Plenty Coups State Park 29

APPENDIX 3. Species list for Deadman's Basin State Park . . 30

APPENDIX 4. Slides of Eupatorium maculatum attached

11

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1. Location of sites 3

TABLE 2 . MPSSC known from the area 5

TABLE 3. Working list of target species 6

TABLE 4. Summary of results and recommendations 2 5

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1. Map of Bluewater Springs Trout Hatchery 8

FIGURE 2. Map of Chief Plenty Coups State Park -. 13

FIGURE 3 . Map of Cooney State Park 14

Figure 4. Map of Natural Bridge State Park 20

Figure 5. Map of Water Birch Fishing Access Site 23

111

INTRODUCTION

This study was conducted by the Montana Natural Heritage
Program for the Parks Division of Region Five in the Montana
Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. The purpose was to
locate or assess the potential for occurrences of Montana Plant
Species of Special Concern (MPSSC) on selected lands in Region
Five. MPSSC are those plant taxa listed by the Montana Natural
Heritage Program which are "rare, endemic, disjunct,
threatened, or endangered throughout their range or in Montana,
vulnerable to extirpation from Montana, or in need of further
research" (Heidel and Poole 1993). The information yielded by
this project will be used by the Department of Fish, Wildlife,
and Parks to prepare a weed control management plan
Environmental Impact Statement in keeping with the Montana
Environmental Protection Act.

Lands administered by Region Five of Montana Fish,
Wildlife and Parks Department consist of Fishing Access Sites,
Fish Hatcheries, State Parks, and Wildlife Management Areas,
spanning six southcentral Montana counties: Big Horn, Carbon,
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and Yellowstone. Most sites
are located at relatively low elevations in bottomlands along
the Big Horn, Boulder, Musselshell, Stillwater, and Yellowstone
rivers and along Rock Creek.

The surface geology at most sites is generally of alluvial
origin. Plants occupying alluvial substrates tend to be
generalist, as Welsh et al. (1987) have noted for the Utah
flora. Thus, the plant species of concern expected at these
sites are those which are peripheral in Montana with broader
ranges outside the state (e.g. Eupatorium maculatum and
Viburnum lentago) . These low elevation settings are
historically areas of settlement, extensive habitat conversion
and heavy use. The successional nature of the habitat and
historic patterns of use make these sites prone to weed
invasion.

A few sites are located in foothills adjacent to the
major drainages or otherwise include upland habitat. The Pryor
Mountains and Big Horn Canyon areas are near some of these
Region Five lands and harbor some of the highest known
concentrations of endemic MPSSC in the state. Endemic species
have distribution ranges restricted within state boundaries or
within a small area that crosses state boundaries. Thus,
endemic plant species of special concern may also be expected
at some state sites that have intact upland habitat and
proximity to the Big Horn / Pryor Mountain areas.

METHODS

State lands of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and
Parks, Region Five were assessed for the potential occurrence
of MPSSC as listed by Heidel and Poole (1993) . A total of
twenty-two sites were visited by Jim Vanderhorst (twenty sites)
on August 30-September 3, 1993 and by Bonnie Heidel (two sites,
Deadman Basin State Park and Selkirk Fishing Access Site) on
September 8, 1993. They included thirteen Fishing Access
Sites, two Trout Hatcheries, and seven State Parks (Table 1) .
Region Five lands which were not included in this study include
two Wildlife Management Areas and an additional twenty-five
Fishing Access Sites.

Before fieldwork, the Montana Natural Heritage Program
Biological Conservation Database (BCD) was queried for all
occurrences of MPSSC in the six counties included in Region
Five, producing almost two hundred element occurrence records
for sixty-eight MPSSC in the six-county area (Table 2) . None
of the records had been documented on Montana Fish, Wildlife,
and Parks lands though some were based on collections in
proximity to state lands, with vague locality information.
Many of the sixty-eight MPSCC are alpine species, and the
potential for them to occur at the low elevations covered by
this project is remote, so the working target list excluded
alpine species (Table 3) . Most project area target species are
known only from Carbon and/or Big Horn Counties, a reflection
of the high degree of endemism centered in the Pryor Mountains
and Big Horn Canyon areas. Lesica and Shelley (1991) and other
field guides were consulted to determine the ecological niches
of these species to further narrow the list of targets.

Due to the late season dates and paucity of background
information on the sites, only preliminary surveys could be
conducted. The preliminary surveys, or "rapid ecological
assessment", involved subjective classification of a site's
habitat and dominant vegetation, and assessment of the its
suitability for hosting MPSSC. In addition, systematic
searches were conducted in appropriate habitats for those few
MPSSC which could be easily identified in late summer. In the
sole instance when a MPSSC was found at a site, a complete
survey of that population was conducted and data were taken on
population numbers and boundaries, dominant and associated
species, and edaphic site attributes.

This report presents a synopsis for each of the sites
visited which describes the dominant native and introduced
vegetation, assesses the potential for occurrences of MPSSC,
and makes recommendations of weed control strategies which
minimize the impacts on the native flora. Both common and
scientific plant names are used, in keeping with Dorn (1984) .
Other floras and guides consulted include Dorn (1988) ,
Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973), Welsh et. al. (1987), and
Whitson et. al. (1987).

TABLE 1. Location of Fishing Access Sites (FAS) , Trout

Hatcheries (TH) , and State Parks (SP) surveyed by
this project.

Site Name

Big Horn FAS
Bluewater Springs TH
Boulder Forks FAS
Bratten FAS
Buffalo Jump FAS
Buffalo Mirage FAS
Captain Clark FAS
Chief Plenty Coups SP
Cooney SP

Deadman's Basin SP
Fireman's Point FAS
Grant Marsh FAS
Grey Bear FAS

Greycliff Prairie Dog Town
Lake Elmo State Park
Manuel Lisa FAS
Natural Bridge SP
Pictograph Caves SP
Selkirk FAS
Water Birch FAS
White Bird FAS
Yellowstone River TH

County

Big Horn
Carbon
Sweet Grass
Sweet Grass
Stillwater
Yellowstone
Yellowstone
Big Horn
Carbon

Wheatland
Stillwater
Big Horn
Sweet Grass
SP Sweet Grass
Yellowstone
Yellowstone
Sweet Grass
Yellowstone
Wheatland
Carbon
Stillwater
Sweet Grass
3

Legal Description

T5S R32E S8,9

T6S R24E S8,9

T2S R13E S21

TIS R17E S28

T4S R16E S31

T2S R23E S36

T4N R19E S27

T5S R26E S5,6

T4S R20E
S25,26,34,35,36

T7N RISE S34,35

T2S R20E S32

TIN R33E S

TIN R13E S35

TIS R16E S7

TIN R26E SIO, 15

T5N R34E S34

T3S R12E S26

TIS R27E S19

T8n R12E S9

T6S R20E S7,18

T3S R19E S14

TIN R14E S15

RESULTS

Six sites among the twenty-two sites surveyed were found
to have significant floristic values or potential for such.
These areas are characterized as having known or potential
plant species of special concern, or intact plant communities
of noteworthy condition or composition. One target species,
Eupatorium maculatum, was found at Bluewater Springs Trout
Hatchery, with potential habitat for other target species at
the same site. Three other sites have potential habitat for
target species (Chief Plenty Coups State Park, Cooney State
Park, Natural Bridges State Park) that also warrant survey work
earlier in the growing season. Two more sites have intact
natural vegetation of potential state significance (Pictograph
Caves State Park, Water Birch Fishing Access Site) though they
have low probability of harboring target species. It is
recommended that each of these six sites be revisited and
surveyed in greater detail at appropriate dates before weed
control treatments are applied in places where their vegetation
is native.

The remainder of this section, beginning on the page 7, is
devoted to synopses of each of the sites visited. These
include descriptions of the dominant vegetation, assessment of
the potential for occurrences of MPSSC, and recommendations for
weed control. The most common vegetation at these sites are
bottomland types, including woodlands, wetlands, and managed or
weedy meadows. There are only a few MPSSC from Table 3 which
occur in these habitats. The most obvious two are Eupatorium
maculatum and Viburnum lentago, species which could be readily
identified at a late season date. Habitats which are more
likely to host MPSSC are the dryer uplands which are found at a
few sites, especially those close to the Pryor Mountains (e.g.
Chief Plenty Coups State Park and Bluewater Springs Trout
Hatchery) . The plants in these habitats were mostly senescent
at the late season date of these surveys, thus intensive
searching for MPSSC was inappropriate.

Site specific results are summarized in Table 4, noting
significant floristic values, also characterizing the habitats,
degree of weediness, and overall recommendations.

Table 2. Montana Plant Species of Special Concern (MPSSC)
known from Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet
Grass, Yellowstone, and Wheatland Counties and the
habitats where they are found.

Adoxa moschalellina
Agoseris lackschewUzii
AquUegia brevistyla
Astragalus aretoides
Astragalus barrii
Astragalus chameleuce
Astragalus geyeri
Astragalus gray!
Astragalus oreganus
Bulbostylis capiUaris
Camissonia andina
Carex gravida
Carex valUcola
Castilleja longispica
Claytonia lanceolata jlava
Cleome lutea
Conioselinum scopulorum
Cryptanxha Jlavoculaia
Cryptanlha scoparia
Cypripedium calceolus
Delphinium andersonii
Delphinium geyeri
Draba Jladnizensis
Draba porsildii
Epipaclus gigantea
Erigeron allocalus
Erigeron eaionii
Erigeron Jlabellifolius
Erigeron formosissimus
Eriogonum lagopus
Eriogonum saluginosum
Eriophorum caUitrix
EupaXorium maculatum
Gentiana prostrata
Gentianella lenella
CeiUianopsis simplex
Crayia spinosa
Hemicarpha drummondii
Juncus covillei
Juncus triglumis
Kobresia macrocarpa
Koenigia islandica
Leptodactylon caespilosum
Lesquerella sp. novum
Malacothrix torreyi
Mentzelia pumila
Mimutus suksdorfii
Noma densum
Papaver kluanensis
Penstemon caryi
Phippsia algida
Poteniilla plaitensis
Ranunculus cardiophyllus
Ranunculus gelidus
Sagina nivalis
Salix barrattiana

Stillwater

Sweet Grass

Sweet Grass

Big Horn

Big Horn

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn, Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn

Carbon

Carbon

Sweet Grass

Big Horn, Carbon

Big Horn, Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Stillwater

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn, Carbon

Sweet Grass

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn, Carbon

Stillwater

Carbon, Stillwater

Carbon

Big horn, Carbon

Carbon

Sweet Grass

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon, Stillwater

Big Horn, Carbon

Sweet Grass

Stillwater

Stillwater

Carbon

moist woods and rocks, 4,400-5,400'

subalpine wet meadows, 8,500-9,500'

open woods, streambanks, 5,000-6,000'

barrens and guUics, 6,700-7,800'

barrens and gullies, 3,100-3,800'

sandy desert shrublands, 4,400'

sandy hills and plains, 2,000'?

sagebrush grasslands, 3,700-4,200'

desert shrub and sagebrush, 5,000'

sandy benches, adventive ?

grasslands, sagebrush, 3,100-5,400"

swales and shores, 3,900-4,000'

moist-mcsic slopes, 5,760-7,080'

sagebrush, meadows, 4,000-8,000'

meadows

sandy, disturbed valleys, 4,000'

moist woods and meadows, 3,600'

dry, gravelly slopes, 4,400-5,400'

desert hills

wet areas, moist woods, 3,000-6,200'

sagebrush grasslands, limestone

open slopes, 4,500-6,500'

alpine, 11,000'

alpine, 9,000-11,800'

wet area, esp. thermal, 2,900-5,750'

stony, limey soil, 4,400-5,600'

open places, 8,825'

alpine talus, 9,200-11,000'

meadows in mountains, 4,760-8,200'

sagebrush grasslands, 4,000-4,400'

bcntonitc soil, 4,700'

alpine

wet areas, 3,700^,000"

alpine

alpine, 9,500-10,000"

wet areas in mountains, 4,400-8,400"

alkaline basins, 4,500-5,000'

wet, sandy areas

moist areas

alpine, 9,800-10,500'

alpine, 9,800"

alpine, 9,800-10,800'

dry. barren hills, 4,800"

limestone, 6,800"

dry plains and hilb, 5,140"

desert shrub and woods, 4,300-5,000'

rocky slopes, 4,800-7,100'

sandy desert

alpine, 10,800-11,600"

grasslands in mountains, 5,900-8,080'

alpine, 9,800-11,500"

grasslands, 6,000-8,000"

moist meadows, 5,000-5,900'

alpine, 7,200-11,800'

alpine

alpine, 6,800-10,500"

Table 2. (com.)

Salix cascadcnsis
Saxifraga apetala
Senecio amplectens
Shoshonea pulvinata
Solidago sparsijlora
Sphaeromeria capitala
Stellaria crassifotia
Stipa lettermanii
Sullivantia hapemanii
Thlaspi parvijlorwn
Townsendia spalhulata
Viburnum lentago

Swectgrass

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Stillwater

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn

Big Horn, Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn

alpine, 9,000-10,000'

subalpinc and alpine, 6,000-10,100'

alpine talus, 10,000'

limestone outcrops, 6,800-7,800'

rocky or sandy hills and canyons

limestone outcrops, 4,500-5,700'

meadows, 6,600-10,000'

open slopes and woods

wet, calcareous cliffs, 3,700-4,500'

meadows, 7,500-10,000'

limestone, 4,500-6,500'

riparian forest openings

Table 3. Working list of target species for this project
(Table 2 with alpine taxa removed)

Adoxa moschateUina
Aquilegia brevistyta
Astragalus aretoides
Astragalus barrii
Astragalus chameleuce
Astragalus geyeri
Astragalus grayi
Astragalus oreganus
Bulbostylis capillaris
Cainissonia andina
Carex gravida
Carex vaUicola
Castilleja longispica
Claytonia lanceolata Jlava
Cleome lute a
Conioselinum scopulorum
Cryptantha Jla voculata
Cryptantha scoparia
Cypripedium calceolus
Delphinium andersonii
Delphinium geyeri
Epipaclus gigantea
Erigeron allocatus
Erigeron eatonii
Erigeron formosissimus
Eriogonum lagopus
Eupatorium maculatum
Centianopsis simplex
Crayia spinosa
Hemicarpha drummondii
J uncus covillei
Leptodacrylon caespilosum
Malacothrix lorreyi
Mentzelia pumila
Mimulus suksdorfii
Nama densum
Penstemon caryi
Polenlilla plaltensis
Ranunculus cardiophyllus
Shoshonea pulvinata
Solidago sparsijlora
Sphaeromeria capitata
Stellaria crassifolia
Slipa lettermanii
Sullivantia hapemanii
Vilaspi parvijlorum
Townsendia spathulala
Viburnum lentago

Stillwater

Sweet Grass

Big Horn

Big Horn

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn, Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn

Carbon

Carbon

Sweet Grass

Big Horn, Carbon

Big Horn, Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Stillwater

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn, Carbon

Sweet Grass

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn, Carbon

Carbon

Big horn. Carbon

Carbon

Sweet Grass

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Caibon

Carbon

Big Horn, Carbon

Sweet Grass

Carbon

Stillwater

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn

Big Horn, Carbon

Carbon

Carbon

Big Horn

moist woods and rocks, 4,400-5,400'

open woods, streambanks, 5,000-6,000'

barrens and gullies, 6,700-7,800'

barrens and gullies, 3,100-3,800'

sandy desert shrublands, 4,400'

sandy hills and plains, 2,000'?

sagebrush grasslands, 3,700-4,200"

desert shrub and sagebrush, 5,000'

sandy benches, adventivc ?

grasslands, sagebrush, 3,100-5,400'

swales and shores, 3,900-4,000'

moist-mesic slopes, 5,760-7,080'

sagebrush, meadows, 4,000-8,000'

meadows

sandy, disturbed valleys, 4,000'

moist woods and meadows, 3,600'

dry, gravelly slopes, 4,400-5,400'

desert hills

wet areas, moist woods, 3,000-6,200'

sagebrush grasslands, limestone

open slopes, thickets, 4,500-6,500'

wet areas, esp. thermal, 2,900-5,750'

stony, limey soil, 4,400-5,600'

open places, 8,825'

meadows in mountains, 4,760-8,200'

sagebrush grasslands, 4,000-4,400'

wet areas, 3,700-4,000'

wet areas in mountains, 4,400-8,400'

alkaline basins, 4,500-5,000'

wet, sandy areas

moist areas

dry, barren hills, 4,800"

dry plains and hills, 5,140"

desert shrub, woodlands, 4,300-5,000'

rocky slopes, 4,800-7,100'

sandy desert

grasslands in mountains, 5,900-8,080'

grasslands, 6,000-8,000'

moist meadows, 5,000-5,900'

limestone outcrops, 6,800-7,800"

rocky or sandy hills and canyons

limestone outcrops, 4,500-5,700'

meadows, 6.600-10,000"

open slopes and woods

wet, calcareous cliffs, 3,700^,500'

meadows. 7,500-10,000"

limestone, 4,500-6,500"

riparian forest openings

Big Horn Fishing Access Site

This site occupies bottomlands along the Big Horn River.
Although it is in the vicinity of Big Horn Canyon and the
Pryor Mountains, areas known for their many endemic and other
rare plant species, the site has low potential for hosting
MPSSC. The native vegetation, most notably sagebrush
grasslands {Artemesia cana/Bouteloua gracilis ?) , has been
mostly replaced by weedy hayfields. Cultivated species in
these fields include Agropyron cristatum (crested wheat) ,
Bromus inermis (smooth brome) , Medicago sativa (alfalfa) , and
Melilotus officinale (sweet clover) . Weedy adventive taxa
include Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) , Bromus tectorum
(downy brome) , Lactuca serriola (prickly lettuce) , and
Sisymbrium altissimum (tumble mustard) . The understories of
the floodplain woodlands are either mowed or weedy.
Floodplain thickets along the river are dominated by a mixture
of woody natives (Salix spp. , Eleagnus commutatus and Rhus
trilobata) and exotics (Eleagnus angustifolia and Tamarisk
chinensis) . A small swampy area is dominated by Typha
latifolia (cattails) . It was thought that this wetland might
be potential habitat for Eupatorium maculatum or other
sensitive species, but none were found.

As with many of the lowland fishing access sites, native
plant taxa, especially in the open and understory habitats,
have been almost entirely replaced by adventives. Precluding
expensive and perhaps impossible efforts to reestablish the
native communities, the best alternative at many of these
sites may be to manage the open areas as mowed turf or
hayfields. Weed control at these sites, provided it is aimed
at introduced weedy taxa, is not likely to have adverse impact
on MPSSC or the native flora in general.

Bluewater Springs Trout Hatchery

Located along Bluewater Creek in the foothills of the
Pryor Mountains, this site hosts several native plant
communities, along with aggressive weeds and at least one
MPSSC, Eupatorium maculatum. For this reason it is strongly
recommended that further sensitive plant surveys be conducted
before weed control measures are taken and that weed
management plans be designed which minimize impacts on species
of concern and native communities.

The species of concern, commonly called Joe Pye Weed, is
found in the wetland thickets around Big Bluewater Spring and
along the creek (Figure 1) . Woody dominants in these thickets
include Betula occidentalis (water birch) , Salix drummondiana
and other Salix spp. (willows) , Ribes spp. (currants) , Cornus
stolonifera (dogwood) , Eleagnus angustifolia (Russian olive) ,
and Tamarisk chinensis (salt cedar) . Herbaceous associates
include Solidago canadensis , Scirpus acutus , and Thalictrum
dasycarpum. Introduced weeds directly associated with the
species of concern are Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) ,

Figure 1. Portion of the USGS Bluewater Quadrangle (7.5 minute
series) showing Bluewater Springs Trout Hatchery.
The diagonal hatches indicate the location of a
population of Eupatorium maculatum.

Euphorbia esula (leafy spurge) , and Conium maculatum (poison
hemlock) . An Element Occurrence Record which includes
additional data for this population is included as Appendix 1
of this report. In addition, slides of the plants and habitat
are attached as Appendix 4. Another MPSSC previously known
nearby from wetlands along the North Fork of Bluewater Creek,
Epipactus gigantea (giant helleborine) , should be searched for
at this site.

In addition to these wetlands, other native plant
communities are found within the boundaries of the hatchery.
Dryer thickets and woodlands are dominated by Populus sp.

(cottonwoods) , Prunus virginiana (chokecherry) and Juniperus
scopulorum (Rocky Mountain Juniper) . Sagebrush grasslands
with Artemesia tridentata and Elymus spicatus as codominants,
alkaline gullies and barrens, and rock outcrops are habitats
here which may potentially host other MPSSC, especially
considering the proximity of the Pryor Mountains.

Other weedy species found at the hatchery include Kochia
scoparia, Cyanoglossum officinale (houndstongue) , Lactuca
serriola (prickly lettuce) , and Glycyrrhiza lepidota

(licorice). This last species was reported by hatchery
personnel to be increasing at the site in recent years.

Boulder Forks Fishing Access Site

Habitat types at this site along the Boulder River
consist of floodplain woodlands, thickets, mudflats and gravel
bars, and hay meadows. The woodlands are dominated by Populus
balsamifera (Balsam Poplar) with an understory of Crateagus
sp. (hawthorn) and Alnus incana (alder) and many native
herbaceous elements. The thickets are dominated by Salix
lutea and Salix exigua (willows) , and the mudflats by Phalaris
arundinacea (canary reedgrass) . Weeds in these habitats are
not a great problem, however, Arctium minus (burdock) and
Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) were observed. Most of the
open ground at this site was historically managed for hay.
Cultivated species found in these meadows include Bromus
inerwis (smooth brome) , Dactylis glomerata (orchardgrass) ,
Phleum pratense (timothy) , and Trifolium pratense (red
clover) . Weedy species include Bromus tectorum (downy brome) ,
Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) , Cyanoglossum officinale
(houndstongue) , Lychnis alba (white campion) , and Tragopogon
dubius (salsify) . The weed problem at this site is not great
at this time; leasing the open areas for hay seems an
appropriate means of retaining this status and is compatible
with recreation. If weed control measures are taken in the
woody habitats (although this is not recommended) care should
be taken not to disturb the diverse native flora. The
potential for MPSSC in these habitats is low.

Bratten Fishing Access Site

This area occupies bottomlands along the Yellowstone
River. The presence of an old homestead is evidenced by

several introduced tree species including Populus alba (white
poplar) and species of Ulmus (elm) and Salix (willow) which
accompany the native cottonwoods (Populus deltoides and P.
angustifolia) . The open areas beneath and surrounding the
trees have been mowed or leased for hay. Introduced
cultivated species which dominate these meadows include Bromus
inermis (smooth brome) , Elymus repens (quackgrass) , Phleum
pratense (timothy) , Medicago sativa (alfalfa) , Melilotus
officinale (sweetclover) , and Trifolium pratense (red clover) .
Weedy species in the meadows include Arctium minus (burdock) ,
Bromus tectorum (downy brome) Capsella bursa-pastoris
(shepherd's purse), Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle),
Euphorbia esula (leafy spurge), and Lychnis alba (white
campion) . Native vegetation at this site is limited to the
riverside bars which are dominated by Salix exigua , Equisetum
laevigatum, and Phalaris arundinacea. No MFSSC are likely to
be found at this site.

Buffalo Jxunp Fishing Access Site

Vegetation at this site along the Stillwater River
consists of a small floodplain woodland, riverside reeds, and
meadows which are mostly mowed and maintained as picnic and
camp areas. The woods are dominated by Populus balsamifera
(balsam poplar) , with an understory dominated by Prunus
virginiana (chokecherry) , Rosa woodsii (rose) , and Clematis
ligusticifolia (virgin's bower). Phalaris arundinacea (canary
reedgrass) occupies moist ground adjacent to the river.
Cultivated species in the meadow include Medicago sativa
(alfalfa) , Melilotus officinale (sweetclover) , Phleum pratense
(timothy) , and Trifolium pratense (red clover) . A diversity
of weeds are found in the woods and mowed area including
Arctium minus (burdock), Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd's
purse) , Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) , Cyanoglossum
officinale ( hounds tongue ) , Glycyrrhiza lepidota (licorice),
Lepidium virginicum (peppergrass) , Matricaria matricarioides
(pineapple weed) , and Plantago major (plantain) . Surrounding
the mowed area is a narrow (and weedy) vestige of the native
plant community which presumably once occupied the site. On
the flat this is represented by Elymus cinereus (wild rye)
dominated grassland (rarely seen during this project) , and
above by dry slopes with Artemesia campestris (common
sagewort) , A. frigida (fringed sage) , Opuntia polycantha
(prickly pear) and Rhus trilobata (skunkbrush) . It is unlikely
that any MPSSC occur in these habitats.

Buffalo Mirage Fishing Access Site

This area along the Yellowstone River is occupied by
floodplain woodlands, mudflats, and gravel bars and weedy
roadsides. The woods are dominated by Populus deltoides and
P. angustifolia (cottonwoods) with a unique (for this project
at least) understory dominant shrub, Rhus trilobata
(skunkbrush) . Eleagnus angustifolia (Russian olive) , E.

10

commutatus (silverberry) , and Rosa woodsii (rose) are
additional understory shrubs. Also alarmingly dominant in the
understory is Euphorbia esula (leafy spurge) , a bad, difficult
to control weed; special care should be taken so that control
measures do not harm the native woody vegetation. The gravel
bars and flats are dominated by Salix exigua (willow) ,
Phalaris arundinaceae (canary reedgrass) , Rumex crispus (curly
dock) , and Polygonum amphibium (water smartweed) . The weedy
roadsides are dominated by introduced grasses, including
Bromus inermis (smooth brome) , B. tectorum (downy brome) ,
Elymus repens (quackgrass) , Poa pratensis (Kentucky
bluegrass) , and Setaria viridis (foxtail) . Verbascum thapsus
(mullein) and Melilotus officinale (sweetclover) are two more
introduced species common along the road. The possibility of
MPSSC occurring at this site is remote.

Captain Clark Fishing Access Site

This is a very weedy bottomland site along the
Yellowstone River. The area is divided by fences and by a
slough into three sections. The area across the slough was
not accessed for this project, but from a distance seems to be
mostly cottonwoods and willow thickets. The two sections on
the road side of the slough are mostly meadows with some
cottonwoods and thickets. One section was heavily trampled
and grazed by cattle (illicitly ?) with little vegetation •
surviving except the dominant introduced forage Elymus
hispidus (intermediate wheatgrass) , which oddly was not
touched by livestock (perhaps it was over-mature for
palatability) , a native species of Symphoricarpos (snowberry) ,
and the weeds Sisymbrium loeselii (tumble mustard) and Hordeum
jubatum (foxtail barley) . The heavily impacted thickets in
this grazed section are dominated by Salix exigua (willow)
with a vine understory of Vitis riparia (wild grape) and
introduced Solanum dulcamara (blue bindweed) . The ungrazed
meadows are dominated by a rank growth of weedy natives and
exotics including Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) , Iva
xanthifolia (marsh elder) , Medicago sativa (alfalfa) ,
Melilotus alba and M . officinale (sweetclovers) , and Verbascum
thapsus (mullein) . Except for the woodlands across the
slough, the native flora at this site is very limited and
there is little potential for occurrences of MPSSC (none have
been reported in Yellowstone county) . A weed management plan
is badly needed. Grazing does not seem compatible with
recreation, however, leasing the meadows for hay would be
acceptable, and may help reduce the weed problem.

Chief Plenty Coups State Park

The vegetation of this park includes native habitats, hay
fields, and areas managed as mowed turf. The native habitat
consists of wet bottomlands and dry, rocky uplands. The
bottomlands are dominated by cottonwoods {Populus deltoides
and P. balsamifera) , box elder {Acer negundo) , and shrubs

11

including water birch (Betula occidentalis) , currants {Ribes
spp.), dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) , and chokecherry (Prunus
virginiana) . These wetlands have a diverse understory of
native grasses, sedges, rushes, and forbs with scattered
exotic weeds including Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) ,
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) , houndstongue {Cyanoglossum
officinale) , licorice {Glycyrrhiza lepidota) , prickly lettuce
{Lactuca serriola) and sow thistle {Sonchus uliginosus) . The
dry uplands consist of shrublands dominated by sagebrush
(Artemesia cana) , snakeweed {Gutierrezia sarothrae) , hawthorn
{Crataegus sp.)/ wild plum {Pxrunus americana) , and skunkbrush
(Rhus glabra) , grasslands dominated by blue bunchgrass {Elymus
spicatus) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) with Spanish
bayonet (yucca glauca) and prickly pear {Opuntia polycantha) ,
and rock pavement with common sagewort {Artemesia campestris) ,
fringed sage (Artemesia frigida) , and creeping juniper
{Junipejrus horizontalis) growing in the cracks. Weeds are not
well established in these uplands, however, some species were
observed including downy brome {Bromus tectorum) and the
noxious spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) .

Considering the park's diverse native flora, a high
potential for occurrences of MPSSC (partly due to the
proximity of the Pryor Mountains) , and the presence of a
spring and gravesites which Native Americans consider
spiritual sites, it is recommended that weed control be
carefully implemented. The park would benefit from a complete
botanical survey of its natural areas both for determining the
presence or absence of MPSSC and for its interpretive value;
as a beginning, a list of plant taxa identified at the park by
this project is provided in Appendix 2 of this report. A few
small tree and brush "islands" within the area maintained as
turf have severe infestations of Canada thistle and poison
hemlock; these spots should be treated. However, it is
recommended that the natural and spiritual areas of the park
not be treated with chemicals, at least until a more detailed
botanical survey can be conducted at an earlier point in the
growing season and input from the Crow people is considered.
Figure 2 is a map of the park which delineates the areas of
concern.

Cooney State Park

Although it is one of the largest sites visited during
this project, Cooney has relatively little native habitat.
This is confined to the sagebrush (Artemesia cana, A.
tridentata) /grassland (Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus spicatus,
Oryzopsis hymenoides, Stipa comata) slopes on the unroaded
north side of the reservoir, and to the narrow corridor of
willow (mostly Salix exigua) thickets surrounding the inlet on
the south side (see Figure 3) . No MPSSC were located or are
suspected in the willow thickets, but the sagebrush grasslands
were not thoroughly searched and may have some potential for
hosting species of concern; a survey at an earlier date in the

12

Figure 2. Map of Chief Plenty Coups State Park. Diagonal

hatches designate the areas of concern discussed in
the text warranting survey or other consideration.

/_ Smi— i. ^— ■

f rr ' ^T>

.1? JX

13

Figure 3. Map of Cooney State Park. Diagonal hatches
designate areas with native vegetation.

14

growing season is recommended before herbicides are applied in
these natural areas. However, weed control efforts will,
undoubtedly, be concentrated in the developed areas of park.
The vegetation of these areas consists of shoreline dominated
by cottonwoods {Populus deltoides) , willows {Salix exigua and
others) , sedges (including Carex lanuginosa) , and cattails
(Typha latifolia) , meadows dominated by introduced grasses
(Agropyron cristatum, Bromus inermis, Elymus hispidus) and
legumes {Medicago sativa, Melilotus officinale) , and mowed
picnic and camp areas. Weeds in the developed areas include
downy brome {Bromus tectorum) , spotted knapweed (Centaurea
maculosa) , Canada thistle {Cirsium airvense) , bull thistle
(Cirsium vulgaris) , licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) , erect
cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) , and salsify (Tragopogon
dubius) .

Deadman's Basin State Park

This developed water recreation site centered around an
impoundment fed by diversion is located in an open,
intermontane setting. No MPSSC are known from these settings
in Wheatland County, but there have been almost no botanical
studies in the county except in the Little Belt Mountains to
the north. Records of MPSSC known from the Little Belts and
of sand loving MPSSC with highly sporadic distributions
statewide were considered, but none of these species were .
found and the probability of them occurring here is low to
none; the site is too low and dry for the Little Belt species
and has little development of a sand loving flora. Native
habitat in the park in good condition includes ungrazed mixed
grass prairie dominated by Carex filifolia (thread leaved
sedge) and Stipa comata (needle and thread) and sparsely
vegetated sandstone outcrops. In addition, the artificial
wetland habitat created below the impoundment has low plant
diversity but appears to benefit wildlife. Noxious weed
infestations including patches of Centaurea maculosa (spotted
knapweed) and Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) are mostly
limited to developed areas (picnic areas, boat launches, and
roadsides) but have potential to spread over much of the park.
Control efforts for knapweed need to involve local landowners
because there are very severe infestations in surrounding
private tracts (e.g. west of the Highway 12 exit to the park) .
A list of plant species identified at the park is included as
Appendix 3 to this report.

Fireman's Point Fishing Access Site

This site along the Stillwater River near its confluence
with the Yellowstone contains both bottomland and upland
habitats. The dominant trees in the bottoms are Populus
halsamifera (cottonwood) and Acer negundo (boxelder) . The
understory is dominated by shrubs including Eleagnus
commutatus (silverberry) , Prunus virginiana (chokecherry) , and
species of Rosa (rose) and Symphoricarpos (snowberry) . Wet

15

areas directly adjacent to the river and ditch are inhabited
by Phalarls arundinacea (canary reedgrass) and Salix exigua
(willow) . The uplands are steep, dry, rocky slopes with
scattered Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine) and shrubs
including Artemesia cana (silver sagebrush) , Chrysothamnus
nauseosus (rabbitbrush) , Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain
juniper) , and Yucca glauca (Spanish bayonet) . Although weeds
are not presently a great problem at this site the following
were seen (mostly around the parking lot) : Arctium minus
(burdock) , Bromus inermis (smooth brome) , Centaurea maculosa
(spotted knapweed) , Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) ,
Cyanoglossum officinale (houndstoungue) , Euphorbia esula
(leafy spurge) , Glycyrrhiza lepidota (licorice) , Melilotus
alba and M. officinale (sweetclovers) , and Sonchus uliginosus
(sowthistle) . At least two of these, knapweed and spurge, are
extremely aggressive; steps should be taken to control them
before they get out of hand. Although this site contains a
large area of relatively pristine native habitat, the
likelihood of finding MPSSC is low; the only ones known from
Stillwater County are found in the alpine or in moist woods.

Grant Marsh Fishing Access Site

This is another very weedy site in bottomlands along the
Bighorn River. The vegetation consists of floodplain
woodlands, rank weedy meadows, and wetlands around sloughs.
The woodlands are dominated by cottonwoods {Populus deltoides)
and have a disturbed understory dominated by ragweed {Ambrosia
artemesifolia) , Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) , licorice
{Glycyrrhiza lepidota) , and white sweetclover {Melilotus
alba) . The meadows are dominated by exotics and weedy natives
including goosefoot {Chenopodium sp.), field bindweed
(Convulvus airvensis) , intermediate wheatgrass {Elymus
hispidus) , foxtail barley {Uordeum jubatum) , marsh elder {Iva
xanthifolia) , kochia {Kochia scoparia) , prickly lettuce
{Lactuca seriola) , alfalfa {Medicago sativa) , sweetclover
{Melilotus alba) , tumble mustard {Sisymbrium loeselii) , and
mullein {Verbascum thapsus) . The wetlands are somewhat less
weedy (although sowthistle, Sonchus uliginosus , is well
established) and are dominated by Russian olive {Eleagnus
angustifolia) , rushes {Juncus spp.), curley dock {Rumex
crispus) , bull rushes {Scirpus spp.), goldenrod {Solidago
canadensis) , salt cedar {Tamarisk chinensis) , and cattails
{Typha latifolia) . It was thought that this was potential
habitat for Eupatorium maculatum and sensitive Carex species
but none were found. It is unlikely that these or any other
MPSSC inhabit these wetlands. This site needs a comprehensive
weed control strategy and reclamation to less objectionable
types of vegetation, but this will not be easily achieved.

Grey Bear Fishing Access Site

Vegetation at this site along the Yellowstone River
consists of woodlands with openings, small meadows and

16

extensive wetlands. The dominant tree is Populus acuminata
(lance-leaved Cottonwood). The understory of the woods is
either shrubby, dominated in dryer areas by Eleagnus
commutatus (silverberry) , Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain
juniper) , and Symphoricarpos (snowberry) , and in wetter areas
by Cornus sericea (dogwood) and Salix lutea (willow) , or open,
dominated by introduced grasses and legumes. Species
represented in these open understories and in the small
meadows include Agropyron cristatum (crested wheatgrass) ,
Bromus inermis (smooth brome) , Elymus hispidus (intermediate
wheatgrass) , Elymus repens (quackgrass) , Medicago sativa
(alfalfa) , Melilotus alba and M. officinale (sweetclovers) .
Weeds in these habitats include Centaurea maculosa (spotted
knapweed) , Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) , Cyanoglossum
officinale (houndstoungue) , Glycyrrhiza lepidota (licorice),
Lactuca seriola (prickly lettuce) , Sisymbrium loeselii (tumble
mustard) , Sonchus uliginosus (sowthistle) , Tanacetum vulgare
(tansy) , Tragopogon dubius (salsify) , and Verbascum thapsus
(mullein) . The low wetlands are dominated by native plants
including shrubs, Cornus stolonifera (dogwood) and Salix
exigua (willow) , grasses, Phalaris arundinacea (canary
reedgrass) and Phragmites australis (common reed) , rushes,
Juncus balticus , and cattails, Typha latifolia. Conium
maculatum (poison hemlock) is the most common weed in the
wetlands. Although no MPSSC are suspected at this site, the
wetlands are a high quality native habitat which should not be
disturbed; however, weed control is appropriate in the
disturbed woods and meadow areas.

Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park

The habitat of this park is inherently weedy due to
constant rodent disturbance. Weed control is, therefor,
probably futile except for spot treatment around picnic tables
and along the road and trails. The prairie dogs themselves
keep the weeds down by using them as a food source. Chemicals
which might be poisonous to the wildlife (at all levels of the
food chain) at this site should be avoided. The dominant
native plant species around the dog diggings is Artemesia
frigida (fringed sage) . Weeds observed include Arctium minus
(burdock) , Bromus tectorum (downy brome) , Carduus nutans (musk
thistle) , Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) , Convulvulus
arvensis (field bindweed), Glycyrrhiza lepidota (licorice),
Hyoscyamos niger (henbane) , Verjbena bracteata (prostrate
vervain) , and VerJbascum thapsus (mullein) . On the hills to
the east of the prairie dog colony is relatively undisturbed
native vegetation dominated by shrubs including Artemesia
tridentata (big sagebrush) , Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky
Mountain juniper) , Prunus virginiana (chokecherry) , and Rhus
trilobata (skunkbrush) , and bluebunch wheatgrass, Elymus
spicatus. Although the potential for MPSSC in this habitat is
low, there is a high diversity of native plants and relatively

17

few weeds; thus weed control should be aimed only at carefully
chosen targets.

Lake Elmo State Park

The native flora at this park in the greater Billings
area has been almost entirely replaced by introduced and weedy
species, in fact it is difficult to determine what the
original vegetation was like. Much of the area has been
planted with pasture forbs and grasses including Agropyron
cristatum (crested wheatgrass) , Bromus inermis (smooth brome) ,
Medicago satlva (alfalfa) , Melilotus alba (sweetclover) and
Trifolium pratense (red clover) . Weeds in the park include
Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed) , Centaurea repens
(Russian knapweed) , Cirsium airvense (Canada thistle) ,
Convulvulus arvensis (field bindweed) , Glycyrrhiza lepidota
(licorice) , Kochia scoparia (kochia) and Salsola kali
(tumbleweed) . Native taxa are mostly isolated, not part of
intact systems. Native Acer negundo (boxelder) and Populus
deltoides (cottonwood) grow along the lakeshore along with
exotic woody species like Eleagnus angustifolia (Russian
olive) and Malus domestica (apple) . Wet alkaline flats are
occupied by a mixture of native and exotic species including
Aster falcatus (creeping white prairie aster) , Chenopodium
spp. (goosefoots) , Hordeum jubatum (foxtail barley) , Scirpus
spp. (bullrushes) , Tamarisk chinsnsis (salt cedar) , and Typha
latifolia (cattails) . The predominance of members of the
Chenopodiaceae (goosefoot family) and other salt tolerant
plants are evidence of alkaline soils. No MPSSC are likely to
inhabit the park.

Manuel Lisa Fishing Access Site

Vegetation at this small area along the Bighorn River at
its confluence with the Yellowstone consists of floodplain
woodlands and mudflats, and disturbed sagebrush grasslands.
The woods are dominated by cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) and
Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) , and have an understory
of weeds and disturbed sand. The mudflats are dominated by
canary reedgrass (Phalaris arundinaceae) , bullrushes (Scirpus
sp.), and blue vervain (Verbena hastata) . The sagebrush
grassland, dominated by big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata)
and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) has a diversity of native
herbs but is also very weedy. Exotic species at this site
include smooth brome (Bromus inermis) , Russian knapweed
Centaurea repens) , Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) , foxtail
barley (Hordeum jubatum) , kochia (Kochia scoparia) , alfalfa
(Medicago sativa) , sweetclovers (Melilotus alba and M.
officinale) , and salt cedar (Tamarisk chinensis) . There is
little potential here for occurrences of MPSSC.

Natural Bridge State Park

Vegetation at this park is quite diverse, relatively
pristine, and unlike that of any of the other sites visited

18

during this project. Habitats range from relatively dry
montane grasslands on the flats above the canyon walls to
wetter forests and shady canyon walls, and include ecotones
between these extremes. The flora of the upper rock walls and
canyon rim is characterized by limestone loving plants such as
Chielanthes feei (lipfern) , Happlopappus acaulis (cushion
goldenweed) , and Selaginella densa (selaginella) . The
woodlands range from moist Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir)
dominated forests with an understory of Physocarpus malvaceous
(ninebark) and mosses, to dryer more open woods with a mixture
of Pseudotsuga and Pinus flexilis with an understory of shrubs
and grasses. These dry woods grade into pristine grasslands,
(perhaps the most significant botanical feature of the park) ,
dominated by Elymus spicatus (bluebunch wheatgrass) , Festuca
idahoensis (Idaho fescue) , Oryzopsis hymenoides (Indian
ricegrass) , and Stipa comata (needle and thread) . These
grasslands host a large number of native plant species.
Wetter montane meadows in juxtaposition with the Pseudotsuga
forests are dominated by forbs such as Campanula rotundifolia
(harebell) , Geranium spp. (geraniums) , Monarda fistulosa (bee
balm) , Helianthella quinquenervis (little sunflower) , and
Perideridia gairdneri (yampah) . Weeds are not a big problem
at the park except around the parking area, trails, and picnic
tables where the following exotic species were seen (some of
them undoubtedly planted) : Alyssum desertoirum (alyssum) ,
Bromus inermis (smooth brome) , Bromus secalinus (cheat) ,
Bromus tectorum (downy brome) , Dactylis glomerata
(orchardgrass) , Glycyrrhiza lepidota (licorice), Lactuca
seriola (prickly lettuce) , Melilotus officinale (sweetclover) ,
Phleum pratense (timothy) , Sisymbrium altissimum (tumble
mustard) , Lychnis alba (white campion) , and Verbascum thapsus
(mullein) . Although no MPSSC were located there may be some
potential of the wetter forests hosting Cypripedium calceolus
or Adoxa moschatellina , species found in these habitats
elsewhere in Stillwater County. Due to the high quality
native habitats in the park it is suggested that weed control
be confined to the weedy developed areas (Figure 4) where a
carefully implemented program (including seeding with native
species) could help enhance the native flora. A complete
floristic inventory of the park would be useful for
determining the status of the above mentioned MPSSC and as a
tool for public interpretation of this scenic area.

Pictograph Caves State Par)c

This is another example of a park with a significant (if
not pristine) native plant community. Located along sandstone
rimrock, the site has a spectrum of microhabitats ranging from
shady and cool to open and hot. The cliffs host tree species
including Acer negundo (boxelder) , Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa
pine) , and Populus deltoides (cottonwood) with a somewhat
troublesome understory of Clematis ligusticifolia (virgin's
bower) , Hummulus lupulus (hops) , and Toxicodendron rydbergii

19

Figure 4. Map of Natural Bridge State Park showing developed

areas (map does not show the entire park) . Diagonal
hatching indicates area with significant levels of
exotic plants (weeds and seeded species) . Chemical
weed control should be limited to carefully
identified targets within this area.

20

(poison ivy) . The more open areas are sagebrush (Artemesia
cana) grasslands (Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus cinereus,
Oryzopsis hymenoides, Stipa comata) with a diversity of native
herbs and shrubs. Weeds, besides the viney Clematis and
Humulus , are concentrated around the parking and picnic areas
and around the archeological digs and include Arctium minus
(burdock) , Alyssum desertorum (alyssum) , Ambrosia
artemesifolia (ragweed) , Bromus tectorum (downy brome) ,
Cirsium arvensis (Canada thistle) , Marrubium vulgare
(horehound) , and Melilotus alba (sweetclover) . No MPSSC were
found or are known from elsewhere in Yellowstone County.

Selkirk Fishing Access Site

Habitat at this unusually large fishing access site along
the Musselshell River includes oxbow wetlands and adjoining
uplands. Vegetation consists of three more or less natural
types but none of these are pristine; these are 1) mixed grass
prairie uplands dominated by Elymus smithii (western
wheatgrass) and Stipa comata (needle and thread) and invaded
by Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass) which are idle and
productive but recovering from overgrazing and depauperate in
forbs, including a portion with a high component of Ceratoides
lanata which may represent an uncommon plant association, 2)
unstable, sparsely vegetated silt slopes with a diverse
pioneer community which has, however, been disturbed by
construction of an irrigation channel and invaded by Centaiirea
maculosa (spotted knapweed), and 3) floodplains with oxbow
wetlands choked by Typha latifolia (cattails) and open forests
and thickets dominated by Populus angustuifolia (cottonwood)
and Salix bebbiana (willow) respectively, with understories
dominated by exotic species. In addition to knapweed two
other noxious weeds seen were Cyanoglossum officinale
(houndstongue) and Hyoscyamus niger (henbane) . No MPSSC are
known from Wheatland County, none were found at the site, and
none are suspected.

Water Birch Fishing Access Site

The floodplain woodlands which occupy most of this area
along Rock Creek are among the most extensive and most
pristine visited during this project. However, no MPSSC are
known from this kind of habitat, at least in Carbon County.
The woodlands are dominated by Populus balsamifera
(cottonwood) with a few Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen)
and have a brushy understory with Alnus incana (alder) , Cornus
stolonifera (dogwood) , Prunus virginiana (chokecherry) , and
species of Crataegus (hawthorn) , Rosa (rose) and
Symphoricarpos (snowberry) . Oddly, no water birch {Betula
occidentalis) was seen. A few exotic species are scattered in
the woods but are nowhere aggressively weedy; these include
Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed) , Chrysanthemum
leucanthemum (ox-eye daisy) , Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) ,
Dactylis glomerata (orchardgrass) , Glycyrrhiza lepidota

21

(licorice) , Melilotus spp. (sweetclovers) , Sonchus uliginosus
(sowthistle) , and Trifolium pratense (red clover) . Additional
floodplain habitat includes gravel bars characterized by
Ranunculus gmelinii (buttercup) and the exotic Myosotis
scirpoides (forget-me-not) and mudflats dominated by Carex
urtriculata (sedge) and species of Juncus (rushes) and Scirpus
(bullrushes) . Weeds are a problem in the open camping, picnic
and parking areas adjacent to the highway and railroad tracks
where heavy infestations of Berteroa incana (berteroa) , Bromus
tectorum (downy brome) , and Centaurea maculosa (spotted
knapweed) are found along with lesser weeds such as Lactuca
serriola (prickly lettuce) , Tragopogon dubius (salsify) , and
Verbascum thapsus (mullein) . It is recommended that broad
treatment of weeds be confined to these developed areas
(Figure 5) .

White Bird Fishing Access Site

Vegetation at this site along the Stillwater River
consists of relatively pristine floodplain woodlands and
wetlands and meadows in small openings managed for camping and
picnicking. The woods are dominated by Acer negundo (box
elder) and Populus balsamifera (cottonwood) , with an
understory of shrubs including Cornus stolonifera (dogwood) ,
Eleagnus commutatus (silverberry) , Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky
Mountain juniper) , and Symphoricarpos sp. (snowberry) , Swampy
areas are dominated by Phalaris arundinacea (canary reedgrass)
and Salix exigua (willow) . The meadows are dominated by
introduced pasture species including Bromus inermis (smooth
brome) , Dactylis glomerata (orchardgrass) , Medicago spp.
(alfalfas) , Melilotus spp. (sweetclovers) , Phleum pratense
(timothy) , and Trifolium pratense (red clover) . Weeds include
Berteroa incana (berteroa) , Centaurea maculosa (spotted
knapweed) , Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) , Euphorbia esula
(leafy spurge), Glycyrrhiza lepidota (licorice), and Verbascum
thapsus (mullein) . No MPS8C were found or are expected at
this site.

Yellowstone River Trout Hatchery

This site in Big Timber is almost entirely a managed
landscape. Most of the area is mowed turf, however, there is
a small plantation of Picea (spruce) , and a small swampy area
with aquatic plants such as Epilobium ciliatum (willow-herb) ,
Lemna minor (duckweed) , and Typha latifolia (cattail) . Weeds
at the site include Arctium minus (burdock) , Cirsium arvense
(Canada thistle), Malva neglecta (mallow) and Solanum dulcamara
(nightshade) . The potential for MPSSC is low. Precautions
should be taken so that the wetlands are not polluted with
toxic herbicides.

22

Figure 5, Map of Water Birch Fishing Access Site. Diagonal
Hatching indicates area with heavy infestations of
weeds. Broad weed control measures should be
confined to this area.

23

CONCLUSION

Although an attempt was made by this project to assess
Region Five lands for MPSSC, the results should not be
considered definitive or complete. Even when intense plant
searches are conducted at appropriate times of the year, some
targets are probably inevitably overlooked. In this case the
searches were neither intense nor, in most cases, conducted at
an appropriate time. Because of this, some precautions should
be taken.

Certain areas should be revisited for more intense
surveys earlier in the growing season before weed control
measures are taken. The areas where this has been recommended
were chosen based on the presence of significant native plant
communities and geographical proximity to known occurrences of
MPSSC. At most sites, however, the areas with severe weed
problems (where control should be focused first) are not
native communities. Bluewater Springs Trout Hatchery is an
exception which will require development of a special weed
control strategy.

Weed control should be aimed at carefully chosen targets
and based on positive weed identification. Too often weed
crews have sprayed populations of sensitive species. This has
not been limited to small or inconspicuous species; during the
summer of 1993 populations of Penstemon lemhiensis and
Veratrum calif ornicum , two large, showy, sensitive species
which cannot be mistaken for any weeds, were sprayed on public
lands in Montana. Besides MPSSC, the general native flora
should also be spared from weed control measures; if native
plants are killed openings are left for weeds. Members of
weed crews need to be familiar with their targets.

Despite these potential dangers, it is acknowledged that
weed infestations are generally more detrimental to native
plant species and communities than appropriate weed control
measures. Many, if not most, of the sites visited during this
project host severe infestations of weeds which warrant
immediate control actions. A summary of the results and
recommendations of this report is presented in Table 4 which
follows.

24

Table 4. Summary of site specific results and
recommendations .

SITE

DEGREE OF
WEEDINESS

NATIVE
COMMUNITIES

CONFLICTS,
INCLUDING MPSSC

RECOMMENDATION

S

Big Horn

high

wetlands and thickets

none, low probability for
species of concern

proceed with weed
control

Blucwatcr
Springs

high

sagebrush grassland,

desert shrub, alkaline

barrens, rock outcrops,

and wetlands

weeds in association with

Eupalorium maculalum,

potential for other

species of concern

delay weed control until

conflicts are resolved,

return for detailed

survey

Boulder Forks

low-moderate

floodplaln woodlands

none, low probability for
species of concern

continue haying, weed

control OK in developed

areas

B ratten

moderate

(loodplain woodlands,
thickets and bars

none, low probability for
species of concern

continue haying, weed

control OK in developed

areas

Buffalo Jump

moderate

small woodlot, remnant

grasslands and

shrublands

none, low probability for
species of concern

continue mowing or

hay, weed control OK

in developed area

Buffalo Mirage

high Ocafy
spurge)

floodplain woodlands,
thickets, and bars

none, low probability for
species of concern

develop weed control

strategy for spurge

which minimizes impact

on woody natives

Captiin Clark

high, overgrazing

by trespassing

cattle?

floodplain woodlands
and bars

none, low probability for
species of concern

remove cattle from site,

lease for hay, proceed

with weed control.

Chief Plenty
Coups

high in spots

within developed

areas

floodplain woodlands

and thickets, sagebrush,

desert shrub, grasslands,

rock outcrop

spiritual spring and

grave sites, native plant

communities, potential

for species of concern

weed control OK in

developed area, needs

further survey work in

native areas

Cooncy

high

sagebrush grasslands,

strcamsidc willow

thickets

none in developed areas

(most of the site),

potential for species of

concern in native

sagebrush grasslands

proceed with weed

control in developed

areas, further survey

needed in native areas

Dcadman's
Basin

high in developed
areas

mixed grass prairie,
sandstone outcrops

none, probability low for
species of concern

proceed with weed

control, coordinate with

adjacent landowners

Fireman's Point

low

floodplain woodlands,
Ponderosa pine slopes

none in developed area,

native communities on

slopes

weed control OK in
parking area

Grant Marsh

high

floodplain woodlands,
wedands

chemical effects on
wetlands, f)otcntial low
for species of concern

mow or lease for hay,

proceed with weed

control except in

wetlands

25

SITE

DEGREE OF
WEEDINESS

NATIVE
COMMUNITIES

CONFLICTS,
INCLUDING MPSSC

RECOMMENDATION

S

Grey Bear

moderate

floodplain woodlands

and thickets, extensive

wetlands

chemical effects on

wetland wildlife and

flora

weed control OK in

developed areas, stay

out of wetlands

Greycliff Prairie
Dog Town

high

naturally disturbed area,
sagebrush grasslands

chemical effects on
wildlife

weed control probably

futile except along road

and around picnic tables

due to constant rodent

activity

Lake Elmo

high

minimal, alkaline
thickets and meadows

none, probability low for
species of concern

proceed with weed
control

Manuel Lisa

high

floodplain woodlands,

mudflats, sagebrush

grasslands

none, probability low for
species of concern

proceed with weed
control

Natural Bridge

low-inoderate

conifer forest,

grasslands, meadows,

limestone outcrops

pristine native plant
communities, potential
for species of concern

weed control OK in
developed area, further
survey for species of
concern and of plant
communities may be
warranted

Pictograph
Caves

moderate,

confined to

developed area

and archcological

digs

grasslands, sagebrush

grasslands, woodland,

sandstone outcrops

native plant communities

weed control OK in
developed area

Selkirk

high

mixed grass prairie,

unstable slopes,

wetlands, thickets,

woodlands

none, probability low for
species of concern

proceed with weed
control

Water Birch

moderate

(-high in

developed area)

extensive floodplain
woodlands

high quality native

vegetation but low

probability for species

of concern

proceed with weed

control in developed

area

White Bird

moderate

floodplain woodlands,
wetlands

none, probability low for
species of concern

proceed with weed

control in developed

area, mow?

Yellowstone
River Hatchery

low

small swamp, area
mostly developed

chemical effects on
wetland

continue management as
developed landscape

26

LITERATURE CITED

Dorn, R. D. 1984. Vascular plants of Montana. Mountain West
Publishing, Cheyenne, WY. 276 pp.

. 1988. Vascular plants of Wyoming. Mountain West

Publishing, Cheyenne, WY. 340 pp.

Heidel, B. L. and J. M. Poole. 1993. Montana plant species
of special concern. Unpublished list. Montana Natural
Heritage Program, Helena, MT.

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

Lesica, P. and J. S. Shelly. 1991. Sensitive, threatened,
and endangered vascular plants of Montana. Montana
Natural Heritage Program, Occasional Publication no. 1.
Helena, MT. 88 pp.

Welsh, S. L. , N. D. Atwood, L. C. Higgins, and S. Goodrich.

1987. A Utah Flora. Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs no.
9. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. 894 pp.

Whitson, T. D. , R. Reichenbach, M. A. Ferrell, S. D. Miller,
S. A. Dewey, J. O. Evans, and R. J. Shaw. 1987. Weeds
and poisonous plants of Wyoming and Utah. Cooperative
Extension Service, College of Agriculture, University of
Wyoming, Laramie, WY. 281 pp.

27

APPENDIX 1

October 20, 1993

MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
Element Occurrence Record

)

Scientific Name: EUPATORIUM MACULATUM VAR BRUNERI
Common Name: JOE-PYE WEED

Global rank: G5TU Forest Service status:
State rank: SI Federal Status:

Element occurrence code: PDAST3P141 . 003
Element occurrence type:

Survey site name: BLUEWATER HATCHERY

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: WEEDS PLENTIFUL BUT POPULATION SEEMS COMPETITIVE.

County: CARBON

USGS quadrangle: BLUEWATER

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
006S 024E 09 W2

Precision: S

Survey date: 1993-08-31 Elevation: 3980 - 4000

First observation: 1993-08-31 Slope/aspect: LEVEL

Last observation: 1993-08-31 Size (acres) : 10

)

Location:

FROM FROMBERG ON US HWY 310, TRAVEL 9 MILES SOUTHEAST ON COUNTY ROAD
FOLLOWING SIGNS TO BLUEWATER HATCHERY AND FISHING ACESS. POPULATION IS
AROUND BIG BLUEWATER SPRING AND ALONG CREEK.

Element occurrence data:

1000+ AERIAL STEMS, 100% LATE FLOWERING AND EARLY FRUIT. HIGH-DENSITY
POPULATION; LARGE PLANTS.

General site description:

SATURATED BOTTOM, PARTIAL SHADE, CLAY SOILS. WETLAND THICKET, WITH
BETULA OCCIDENTALIS, SALIX DRUMMONDIANA, SALIX SPP., CORNUS
STOLONIFERA, SCIRPUS SP., EUPHORBIA ESULA, THALICTRUM DASYCARPUM,
SOLIDAGO SP., CIRSIUM ARVENSE, CONIUM MACULATUM, TAMARISK CHINENSIS,
TYPHA LATIFOLIA, ELEAGNUS ANGUSTIFOLIA.

Land owner/manager:

BLUEWATER SPRINGS TROUT HATCHERY

PRIVATELY OWNED LAND (INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE)

Comments :

EIS FOR WEED CONTROL ON MT DEPT. OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS LANDS IS
BEING PREPARED (FALL, 1993). POPULATION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN
PLANNING WEED CONTROL IN VICINITY.

^ Information source: VANDERHORST, J. 1993. [MTNHP SENSITIVE SPECIES

SURVEY OF REGION 5, CONDUCTED FOR MONTANA
DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS.]

Specimens: VANDERHORST, J. (5155). 1993.

APPENDIX 2

List of vascular plant species identified at Chief Plenty
Coups State Park on August 31, 1993, their common names, and
habitats where thev occur.

Acer negundo
Artemesia campestris
Art ernes ia cana
Artemesia frigida
Astragalus adsurgens
Astragalus drummundii
Beckniannia syzigacbne
Betula occidentalis
Bouteloua gracilis
Bromus tectorum
Centaurea maculosa
Cirsium arvense
Corpus stolonifera
Conium maculatum
Cyanoglossum officinale
Elymus spicatus
Epilobium paniculatum
Glycyrrbiza lepidota
Gutierrezia sarothrae
He] ianthus rigidus
Juniperus horizontal is
Lactuca serriola
Liatris punctata
Mel i lotus officinale
Phleum pra tense
Populus balsam if era
Popu lus del toides
Prunus americana
Prunus virginiana
Psora lea tenuiflorum
Rlnis trilobata
Selaginella densa
Solidago nemoralis
Soli da go rigida
Sonchus ul iginosus
Yucca glauca

hoxelder

common sagewort

siver sagebrush

fringed sage

locoweed

locoweed

sloughgrass

water birch

blue grama

downy brome

spotted knapweed

Canada thistle

dogwood

poison hemlock

houndstongue

hluebunch wheat grass

willow herb

licorice

snakeweed

sunf lov;er

creeping juniper

prickly lettuce

blazing star

sweetclover

timothy

balsam poplar

plains Cottonwood

wild plum

chokecherry

scurf-pea

skunkbrush

spike moss

goldenrod

goldenrod

sow thistle

Spanish bayonet

riparian woodlands
rocks

sagebrush grasslands
rocks and sagebrush
sagebrush grasslands
sagebrush grasslands
riparian grasslands
riparian thickets
dry grasslands
disturbed grasslands
disturbed areas
disturbed areas
riparian thickets
wet, disturbed areas
disturbed areas
sagebrush grasslands
dry hills
disturbed areas,
sagebrush grassland
rocks and sagebrush
rocks

disturbed areas
sagebrush grasslands
disturbed areas
hayf ields

riparian woodlands
riparian woodlands
dry shrublands
thickets

sagebrush grasslands
dry shrublands
rocks and sagebrush
rocks
rocks

wet, disturbed areas
dry grasslands

APPENDIX 3

List of vascular plant species identified at Deadnians Basin
State Park on September 8, 19^1

Agropyron crista turn

Artemisia cana

Artemisia frigida

Artemis ia t ridentata

Aster er icoides

Astragalus gilvi floras

Astragalus missouriensis

Astragalus spathulatus

Bidens cernua

B ramus inermis

Bromus tec tor urn

Cares filifolia

Centaurea macula t a

Ceratoides lanata

Chaenact is douglasi i

Ch ryso tha mn us nauseas us

Cirsium arvense

Elymus hispidus (Agropyron intermedium )

Elymus sp i ca t us ( Agropyron sp i ca t um )

Gr indel ia squarrosa

Gut i erre.y ia sarothrae

He ] i an thus annua

Hymenopappus a ca ul is

Koeleria crista ta
I.iatris punctata

Lygode sm i a j un caea
Mel ilotus officinalis
.^luhlenbergia cuspidata
Oryzops i s hymena ides
Pet lostemum purpureum
Phlox hoodii
Psoralea lanceolata
S i syrh inch i um mon tan um
Si tan ion hystrix
Stipa coma t a
Stipa viridula

30