Results of field surveys for Allotropa virgata in the Beaverhead and Deerlodge National Forests

RESULTS OF FIELD SURVEYS

FOR ALLOTROPA VIRGATA
IN THE BEAVERHEAD AND DEERLODGE
NATIONAL FORESTS

Prepared by:

Jackie M. Poole

Montana Natural Heritage Program
State Library Building
1515 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59620

Order Numbers: 43-0378-2-0131

® 1992 Montana Natural Heritage Program

This document should be cited as follows:

Poole, _J. M. 1992. Results of Field Surveys for Allotropa

yirgata on the Beaverhead and Deerlodge National Forests
Montana Natural Heritage Program. Helena, Montana. 11
plus appendix

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . 1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 2

INTRODUCTION . .

SPECIES REVIEW . 3

METHODS . .

RESULTS . .

DISCUSSION . .

CONCLUSION . .

LITERATURE CITED . .

FIGURE 1. Distribution of Allotropa viraata in Montana

APPENDIX 1: New or verified occurrences of Allotropa viraata
including maps and photographs

APPENDIX 2: Areas surveyed with negative results

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this study was to search for and study new
populations of Allotropa virgata on the Beaverhead and Deerlodge
National Forests. During 11 days of surveying almost 3400 acres,
four new populations (184 plants with 632 stems) were found on
the Beaverhead National Forest, and two populations (176 plants
with 560 stems) not seen since 1976 were relocated on the
Deerlodge National Forest.

Allotropa virgata is listed as Sensitive by U.S. Forest Service
Regions 1 and 4._ It is the only species within the genus, and
has a disjunct distribution with the main range being in the
Cascades and Sierra Nevadas of the western U.S. while an
isolated, much smaller group of populations occurs in Montana and
Idaho. Such disjuncts often contain substantial genetic
differences as compared to the main part of the range. In
Montana and Idaho the species occupies harsh sites, within
subalpine f ir/beargrass or subalpine fir/grouse whortleberry
habitat types dominated by lodgepole pine, occasionally with
Douglas fir as a co-dominant. Stand age ranges from 80->300
years, and averages about 200. The species prefers well-drained,
acidic, granitic-derived soils on southerly gentle slopes at
moderate (5000-7800 feet) elevations.

Allotropa virgata is quite distinctive with its red and white
striped stems, resembling a candy cane. The species lacks
chlopphyll, and is a mycotroph, a plant which obtains its
nutrition from a photosynthetic host via a fungus associated with
the roots. Any action which destroys the host (in the case of A.
Y.i..tqata, probably lodgepole pine and/or Douglas fir) will also
kill A. virgata .

Allotropa virgata may not surface above ground every year. An
underground network of rhizomes with adventitious buds may use
energy one year working on below ground strength to allow for the
more energy-intensive production of sexual reproductive features
the next. The species surfaces as early as June and as late as
September, with peak _ flowering in July and August. Bumblebees
are the primary pollinators. Deer, elk, and moose occasionally
graze on A. virgata, but without serious damage.

Allotropa virgata is threatened by timber harvest. Single-year
clearance surveys are not always accurate as the plant may be in
a subsurface phase. A Conservation Strategy needs to be written
on a regional level to address species conservation and
management concerns. Several large, healthy meta-populations
should be permanently protected, and monitoring should continue
to further elucidate the species reaction to various land use
practices as well as critical factors in the long-term viability
of the species.

1

AC KNOWLED6EMENTS

I would like to thank John Joy for pointing me in the right
direction for locating All otropa habitat. I would also like to
thank Dan Svoboda for taking time out of his busy schedule to
accompany me into the field for a day to observe and discuss
All otropa , and for agreeing to let me do field surveys when he
really wanted management guidelines. Jeff Jones was kind enough
to provide me a place to work and sleep at the Wisdom District.
My greatest scpurce of inspiration during this study was Quinn
Carver. His in-depth studies and general knowledge of the
habitat and the area were invaluable to me, and his boundless
enthusiasm encouraged me to continue despite the monotony of the
habitat. Finally I would like to thank my fellow botanist,
Bonnie Heidel, for putting up with my endless rantings about
Allotropa.

2

INTRODUCTION

Allotropa virqata was added to the U.S. Forest Service Region 1
list of Sensitive species in early 1991. At that time the
relatively few known localities consisted primarily of small
populations. Surveys were conducted in Montana and Idaho in the
late 1980s and early 1990s (Roe 1992; Carver 1991; Kratz 1989;
Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991) revealing the existence of many more
populations (Figure 1. Distribution of Allotropa virqata in
Montana) . Monitoring plots were established in 1990 in Idaho on
the site of a proposed timber sale to investigate the effects of
harvest on the species, and although the sale had not taken
place, preliminary monitoring results were reported in 1991
(Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991). On the Beaverhead National Forest
in Montana in 1991, numbers of stems per site were compared to
1990 data, and monitoring plots were set up to more accurately
track population demography (Carver 1991) . Data from the 1992
season was not available at the time of this report. Monitoring
plots have also been established on the Bitterroot National
Forest in Montana . A Conservation Strategy for the species for
all of Region 1 was proposed as a 1992 Challenge Cost-Share
project to be funded by several of the national forests involved;
however funding was not available from all forests and the
project was postponed.

The purpose of this study was to search for additional localities
of the Forest Service Sensitive species, Allotropa virqata . on
the Beaverhead and Deerlodge National Forests. Areas were
selected which appeared to be suitable habitat either according
to Forest Service staff, or from topographic maps and/or aerial
photographs .

SPECIES REVIEW

Allotropa virqata is the only species within the genus. The
species is primarily found in the Cascades and Sierra Nevadas,
from southeastern British Columbia to California (Lichthardt and
Mancuso 1991). The species was discovered in Montana in 1965,
and in 1972 in Idaho (Steele and Stickney 1974) . These
populations are disjunct from the main portion of the range by
some 300 miles (Lichthardt and Mancuso 1992) . Little interest
was paid to the species until the late 1980s. Shortly after this
the species was listed by the U.S. Forest Service as Sensitive.
There are now 35 populations documented in southwestern Montana
through 1992 (Figure 1) and about 40 in adjacent Idaho
(Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991) . The species is found in
Beaverhead, Granite and Ravalli Counties in Montana on the
Beaverhead, Bitterroot, Deerlodge, and Lolo National Forest, and
in Idaho in Idaho County on the Nez Perce and Payette National
Forests .

3

In the disjunct portion of its range, Allotropa vircfata occurs in
harsh, low productivity sites. It grows on dry, acidic, sandy to
gravelly, granitic soils which are shallow and well-drained. The
plant also seems to require decaying logs or at least a two inch
layerof humus (Carver 1991). Charred wood, fire scars, and a
relatively low amount of downed wood indicate fire history, but
the frequency and intensity, with the exception of stand-
destroying and thus A. virgata destroying blazes, necessary for
the health of A. virgata . are not known. Understory vegetation
is sparse (canopy cover 0-50%, Carver 1991), repetitive, and of
low diversity. The overstory is fairly closed (40-80% canopy
cover. Carver 1991) and dominated by lodgepole pine, with Douglas
fir as an occasional co-dominant. Stand age varies from around
80 years to over 300 years, with an average age of about 200
(Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991; Roe 1992). However A. virgata has
been observed growing in a "doghair" stand of lodgepole pine in
Idaho (Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991) . Allotropa virgata is a
component of the subalpine fir/grouse whortleberry or subalpine
f ir/beargrass habitat types, and subalpine firs when present are
usually in the seedling or sapling stage. During the course of
this study, two previously unreported species for A. virgata

were discovered. Alnus sinua ta (Sitka alder) was found
at the Gory Creek site on the Beaverhead National Forest, and
Juniperus communis (common juniper) was located at the Meyers
Creek site on the Deerlodge National Forest.

The disjunct Northern Rocky Mountain populations of Allotropa
yij^qata are found primarily between elevations of 5000-7800 feet.
However one population in Idaho was found near 2300 feet, and at
least one plant was seen in Montana around 8000 feet (Carver,
pers. comm., 1992). In the species' main range, the plants are
commonly found at lower elevations. Although the species can be
found on all aspects, it is generally prefers southerly exposures
on lower slopes up to ridgetops. It occurs on almost level
ground to moderately steep slopes, although it is perhaps most
common on gentle slopes.

In the past Allotropa virgata has been referred to as a
saprophyte. However it is actually a mycotroph, a plant which
obtains its sustenance from a fungus associated with its roots.
The fungus is attached to a photosynthetic plant which indirectly
provides nutrition to the mycotroph via the fungal intermediary.
In Oregon the mycorrhizal fungus associated with A. virgata is
Bh i z opoqon y ini color (Castellano and Trappe 1985) . Whether the
same fungus occurs with A. virgata in Montana and Idaho is not
known. The _ photosynthetic species in the chain are most likely
lodgepole pine and/or Douglas fir. Because of this co— dependency
y if is quite sensitive to loss of these trees whether
through timber harvest or stand— replacing fire. However as long
as a certain amount of live trees remain, populations of A.

Y..if gflta can survive. A vigorous A. virgata has been observed
within three meters of a clearcut (Carver 1991), and at least one

4

pcppulation occurs in a stand which was thinned. Allotropa
Yltgata due to its underground perennating buds withstands ground
fires which do not affect the overstory (Lichthardt and Mancuso
1991) .

A large, live specimen of Allotropa virgata is an eye-catching
plant. Undoubtedly one of the showiest members of the Ericaceae
(Heath Family) , the common name for this plant, candystick or
sugarstick, gives an instant picture. When alive the stem is red
(sometimes pink to reddish-brown) and white (to off-white)
striped like a candy cane. The species is achlorophyllous
(lacking in chlorophyll) so there is not a hint of green in any
part of the plant. Even though A. virgata is quite distinctive,
there are at least two other species and one genus which can be
confusedwith A. virgata, at least from a distance. Allotropa
is 2-18 inches tall, with small upward-pointed leaves
held close to the stem, running from the base to under each
flower. The flowers lack petals, are composed of five sepals,
and stick straight out from the stem. Two other achlorophyllous
members of the Ericaceae, pinesap (Hvpopitvs mpngtrgpa) and
pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea) are frequently found in the
same habitat as A. virgata . Hvpopitvs monotropa is usually
yellowish overall , but can sometimes have a pinkish or brownish
cast particularly late in the season. The flowers of H.
monotropa are four-parted and have petals. The entire
inflorescence is bent over during flowering but becomes erect
during fruit development. Pterospora andromedea is often much
taller (up to 40 inches) and has a deep reddish-brown, glossy,
fuzzy appearance due to a covering of sticky, glandular hairs.

The five-lobed corolla is pendulous from a short, slender stem.
One other group of plants which from a distance resemble A.
yirgata ^ is the genus Corallorhiza . These orchids are immediately
identifiable on closer inspection, but the purplish to reddish-
brown color of the entire plant often lures an investigator
closer.

Allotropa virgata begins surfacing as early as June, and
continues into September. Plants may bear both new and old
stems, or be composed entirely of either new or old stems. July
and August are the peak flowering months, although plants may not
flower (i.e. surface) every year (Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991) .
Theoretically this would allow the plant to partition resources
to flowering and seed production one year and underground
perennating buds the next (Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991) . The
main pollinators are bumblebees (Psithvrus insularis and Bombus
mixtus) (Roe 1992) . After fruit set, the plant eventually fades
to an overall dark reddish-brown. Old stems may last over one or
two (or perhaps more) winters, and appear dark reddish-brown to
black and crumbly in comparison to the latest season's crop. The
seeds are minute (perhaps less than 20 cells), numerous, and
wind-dispersed. Due to their small size, they lack nutrient
reserves, and probably must establish their mycorrhizal

5

association immediately upon germination (Lichthardt and Mancuso
1991) .

Although grazing does not present a serious threat, a few stems
in most large _ populations are eaten. Moose were observed close
to a plant which had four live stems grazed. Carver (1991)
reported that elk and deer tracks were seen in stem groups which
were heavily grazed.

Population size in Allotrooa virgata is quite variable. Of the
31 known sites in Montana, 29 have some population data. If an
arbitrary population size category (small = <25 plants and/or 50
stems; medium = <100 plants and/or 300 stems; large = >100 plants
and 300 stems) is used with some flexibility, about one-half (14)
of the populations are small, one-third (10) are of medium size,
and one-fifth (5) are large.

A major problem in estimating populations of A. virgata is what
to count: plants or stems. Much of A. virgata ' s growth goes on
beneath the ground. The species is clonal, and spreads by
rhizomes, bearing adventitious buds on its far-reaching root
system (Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991) . When a bud develops into a
new root crown, the connection with the old root crown is severed
and a new "plant" although genetically identical to the "old"
plant is formed (Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991) . Such ramets
(independent individuals formed vegetatively from the same
genetic individual) may be up to one meter apart (Lichthardt and
Mancuso 1991) . Thus the problem of counting unique genetic
individuals becomes realistically impractical. Usually stems or
groups of stems are more or less separated in space, and can be
considered "plants" for the purpose of tallying individuals.
Probably for demographic studies, live stem counts are the most
reliable with number of plants estimated as additional
information, thus lessening investigator bias concerning the
concept of what constitutes a "plant" .

METHODS

The purpose of this study was to conduct field searches for
additional populations of Allotropa virgata on the Beaverhead and
Deerlodge National Forests. Areas of potential habitat were
selected either by knowledgeable individuals (John Joy on the
Deerlodge NF) or using a combination of aerial photographs, 7.5'
uses topographic maps, and staff expertise (Quinn Carver and Jeff
Jones on the Beaverhead NF) . Lodgepole pine-grouse whortleberry
plant associations appear light and coarse-grained in aerial
photographs, and are easy to discern from the other forest
habitats (Carver 1991) . Also A. virgata occurs on more gently
sloping, rounded topographic features rather than on features
with steep and sharp edges, at least in the Bitterroot Mountains
of the Beaverhead National Forest.

6

Selected sites were surveyed during 13, 15-18 July 1992 on the
Deerlodge National Forest, and 11-13, 31 August - 2 September
1992 on the Beaverhead National Forest. Random meander through
such sites was used to reach areas of high quality habitat more
rapidly. When Allotropa viraata was located, the area was
searched until no more individuals were located, or the time
constraints prevented further survey.

all Allotropa virgata populations, an exact tally of number
of stems, both live and dead, as well as estimated number of
plants, was obtained. For the purposes of the survey, a "plant"
was considered to be any cluster of one or more live and/or dead
stems within at least one foot of each other. For each plant,
numbers of live and/or dead stems were recorded with the
exception of the first population encountered on the Deerlodge
National Forest before the methodology had solidified.

RESULTS

Four new sites for Allotropa virgata were discovered on the
Beaverhead National Forest, and two populations not seen since
1976 were relocated on the Deerlodge National Forest (see
Appendix for detailed population information, maps, and
photographs). This brings total number of sites on the
Beaverhead National Forest to eight (this does not include
Carver’s 1992 data) , while the total on the Deerlodge National
Forest remains at three. A total of 184 plants with 632 stems
(299 live and 333 dead) were observed on the Beaverhead National
Forest during this study. The following table provides a more
detailed explanation. For site specific data, refer to Appendix

# of plants

# of live stems

# of dead stems

79

163

61

162

44

136

171

299 total live
stems

333 total dead
stems

184 total plants

632 total stems

The two relocated populations on the Deerlodge National Forest
had a total of 176 plants with 560 stems (200 live and 360 dead) .
Of these 176 plants, 65 had only live stems, 93 had only dead
stems, and 18 had both live and dead stems on the same plant.

For the first population surveyed on the Deerlodge National
Forest, a count was not made of number and type of stems per

7

plant. For more detailed information concerning each site, refer
to Appendix 1.

A total of 3355 acres were surveyed. Allotrooa viraata was found
on 205 acres, or slightly over 6% of the area surveyed. However
of the acreage where A. vlrgata was not found, the species may
occur there. As has been previously mentioned, A. viraata does
not surface every year. Thus areas surveyed with negative
results may require an additional survey before actions are
undertaken which could harm the species. See Appendix 2 for
areas which were surveyed with negative results.

DISCUSSION

Although Allotropa viraata often occurs in harsh, low
productivity sites, these sites still provide stands of
harvestable timber. Removal of canopy trees upon which A.
virqata depends through its mycorrhizal fungal associate for
survival, extirpates A. virqata from that site. The same is true
of a stand-destroying fire. Although a few trees may be
selectively removed from a stand (such as the aforementioned
thinning on the Beaverhead National Forest) without apparent
impact on the population, the exact number of trees which may be
extracted is not known.

Due to Allotropa virqata 's more or less biennial flowering
schedule and its rhizomatous root system with perennating buds,
the above ground stems may be few or none in number. Although
this may permit the plant to partition energy resources to
vegetative reproduction one year and sexual the next as well as
allow the plant to escape ground fires, it does not help field
staff in determining whether or not the plant is present at a
particular site.

CONCLUSION

Allotropa virqata should continue to be categorized as Sensitive
by the U.S. Forest Service in Regions 1 and 4. Although the
plant is now known from many localities in Montana and Idaho, the
total area covered by this disjunct group of populations is still
small. It is possible also that this disjunct group represents a
different genotype as compared to those plants in the main part
of the range. The Montana Natural Heritage Program will rerank
this species as G4S2S3. This intermediate rank represents the
high population numbers (S3 — found locally in a restricted
range) , but is moderated by the threat of timber harvest to these
populations (S2 - vulnerable to extinction within the state due
to threat) .

8

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spatially and'to™^ size and df^^ Population

abundance and distrfh^-^^' extremely important ^oth

changes in their habi?JJ!“^ '’°" P°P“lhbions wiJl^l^^t to

9

LITERATURE CITED

Carver, Q. 1991. Sensitive Plants Final Report 1991. Beaverhead
National Forest, Wisdom Ranger District, Wisdom, Montana.

5+ pp.

Castellano, M. A. and J. M. Trappe. 1985. Mycorrhizal

associations of five species of Monotropoideae in Oregon.
Mycologia 77:499-502.

Kratz, A. 1989. Allotropa virgata: Summary of 1989 Fieldwork.
Lolo National Forest, Missoula, Montana. 2 pp.

Lichthardt, J. and M. Mancuso. 1991. Report of the Conservation
Status of Allotropa virgata (candystick) on the Nez Perce
National Forest. I. Field Survey and First- and Second-year
Monitoring Results. Idaho Department of Fish and Game,

Boise. 16 pp. plus 10 appendices.

Roe, L. S. 1992. Status Review of Allotropa virgata on the

Bitterroot and Deerlodge National Forests, Montana. Montana
Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 46 pp.

Steele, R. and P. F. Stickney. 1974. Allotropa virgata

(Ericaceae) , First Records for Montana and Idaho. Madrono
22:27.

10

Figure 1.

Occurrences of Allotropa virgata in Montana

APPENDIX 1

ELEMENT OCCURRENCE RECORDS
LOCATIONS ON 7 . 5 • USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
PHOTOGRAPHS OF SPECIES 2^D HABITAT

MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
Element Occurrence Record
Allotropa virgata

Occurrence # 001

Survey site name:

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

HELM CREEK
B

MODERATELY LARGE POPULATION WITH MORE
THAN A THIRD OF THE STEMS LIVE; ADJACENT
TO CLEARCUT WHICH MAY AFFECT THE PLANTS
IN THE FUTURE, BUT PROTECTS IT FROM
FURTHER CUTTING.

County: GRA.NITE

uses quadrangle: MAUKEY GULCH

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:
005N 016W 21 NE4

Survey date:
First observation:
Last observation:

1992-07-18

1976

1992-07-18

Elevation: 6640 -6800

Slope/aspect: 30% / EAST

Size (acres) : 20

Location:

EAST FLANK OF SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, ON THE EAST SLOPE OF AND 1.8 AIR
MILES SOUTHEAST OF MOUNT EMERINE PEAK. FROM THE JUNCTION OF FS RDs
#5060 AND 5070, GO NORTH CA. 3 MILES. SITE IS ON WEST SIDE OF ROAD,
ABOVE CLEARCUT .

Element occurrence data:

1992: 83 PLANTS TOTAL: 11 WITH LIVE AND DEAD STEMS; 33 WITH LIVE STEMS
ONLY; AND 39 WITH DEAD STEMS ONLY (274 TOTAL STEMS, 99 LIVE AND 175
DEAD) . 90% IN FLOWER, 5% IN FRUIT, 5% IN BUD. 4 DEAD STEMS HAD BEEN
GRAZED. 1976: SINGLE PLANT.

General site description:

OPEN PINUS PONDEROSA-VACCINIUM SCOPARIUM COMMUNITY, CA. 25% BARE
GROUND; SILTY, GRAVELLY, GRANITE-DERIVED SOIL, WITH XEROPHYLLUM TENAX,
CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA, HYPOPITHYS MONOTROPA.

Land owner/manager:

DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST, PHILIPSBURG RANGER DISTRICT
Comments :

Information source:

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [FIELD SURVEYS TO SAPPHIRE AND ANACONDA RANGES,
DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST, OF JULY 13, 15-18.]

Allotropa virgata ool
Site name: Helm Creek

Maukey Gulch 7.5' Quad

MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
Element Occurrence Record
Allotropa viraata

Occurrence # 002

Survey site name: MEYERS CREEK
EO rank: AB

- EO rank comments: MODERATELY LARGE POPULATION IN FAIRLY

NATURAL HABITAT, BUT WITH MORE DEAD
PLANTS AND STEMS THAN LIVE.

i County: GRANITE

USGS quadrangle: MOOSE LAKE

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

003N 016W 02 NW4

35 S2SW4

Survey date: 1992-07-16 Elevation: 6280 -6680

First observation: 1976 Slope/aspect: 0-30% / N-S, WEST

Last observation: 1992-07-16 Size (acres) : 50

Location :

NORTHWEST FLANK OF ANACONDA RANGE, NORTHWEST OF MEYERS CREEK, CA. 1,4
MILES WSW OF MOOSE LAKE, CA. 2. 5-3.0 AIR MILES FROM COPPER CREEK
CAMPGROUND ON FS RD #5057.

Element occurrence data:

1992: 93 PLANTS: 32 WITH 89 LIVE STEMS; 54 WITH 165 DEAD STEMS; 7 WITH
12 LIVE AND 20 DEAD STEMS (286 STEMS, 101 LIVE AND 185 DEAD). 93% IN
FLOWER, 7% IN FRUIT. 7 STEMS IN SUBPOPULATION, 3 GRAZED. 1976: SINGLE
PLANT.

General site description:

OPEN PINUS PONDEROSA-VACCINIUM SCOPARIUM ASSOCIATION, MUCH BARE GROUND
AND DOWNED WOOD, FIRE SCARS PRESENT. ASSOCIATED SPECIES: XEROPHYLLUM
TENAX, ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI, HIERACIUM ALBIFLORUM, JUNIPERUS
COMMUNIS, APOCYNUM ANDROS AEMI FOLIUM.

Land owner/manager:

DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST, PHILIPS BURG RANGER DISTRICT
Comments :

POPULATION NOT RELOCATED IN 1991 SURVEY (JONES AND TOUBMAN) .

Information source:

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [FIELD SURVEYS TO SAPPHIRE AND ANACONDA RANGES,
DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST, OF JULY 13, 15-18.]

Allotropa virgata 002
Site name: Meyers Creek

Moose Lake 7.5' Quad

MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
Element Occurrence Record
Allotropa viraata

Occurrence # 028

Survey site name: MAY CREEK RIDGE
EO rank: BC

EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION WITH WIDELY SCATTERED

INDIVIDUALS, SOME HUMAN DISTURBANCE.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: ELK CREEK

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

002S 018W 23 NW4NE4,NE4NW4

Survey date: 1992-08-11 Elevation: 6480 -6720

First observation: 1992-08-11 Slope/aspect: 0-20% /E AND

PREDOMINANTLY S

Last observation: 1992-08-11 Size (acres) : 35

Location :

BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS, RIDGE NORTH OF MAY CREEK AND WEST OF MAY CREEK
CAMPGROUND (CA. 18 MILES WEST OF WISDOM ON HIGHWAY 43.) FROM
CAMPGROUND, TAKE TRAIL ACROSS CREEK AND HEAD UP RIDGE.

Element occurrence data:

IN 1992, THERE WERE 28 PLANTS (12 WITH 22 LIVE STEMS, 7 WITH 15 DEAD
STEMS, AND 9 WITH 33 LIVE AND 38 DEAD STEMS), 108 TOTAL STEMS (55 LIVE
AND 53 DEAD STEMS) ; 99% IN FRUIT, 1% IN FLOWER, 4 OF THE DEAD STEMS
HAD BEEN GRAZED.

General site description:

PONDEROSA PINE - GROUSE WHORTLEBERRY PLANT ASSOCIATION; DRY, GRAVELLY,
SANDY SOIL ON MIDSLOPE OF ROLLING UPLANDS; PARTIAL SHADE EXPOSURE.

MANY DOWNED TREES, SOME BARE GROUND, CANOPY SOMEWHAT OPEN;

FIRE-SCARRED AND BLACKENED TRUNKS . WITH CAREX GEYERI , ARCTOSTAPHYLOS
UVA-URSI, CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA, LUPINUS SERICEUS, BERBERIS REPENS,
HYPOPITYS MONOTROPA, CORALLORHIZA MACULATA, ARNICA CORDIFOLIA,
EPILOBIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM, PINUS ALBA, PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, VACCINIUM
SCOPARIUM, PINUS CONTORTA.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, WISDOM RANGER DISTRICT
Comments :

MYCORHIZAL SYMBIOSIS, EVIDENCE OF GRAZING BY MAMMALIAN HERBIVORES.
Information source:

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [MTNHP FIELD SURVEY TO BITTERROOT AND PIONEER
MOUNTAINS OF AUG. 11-13, 31 AND SEPT. 2.]

Allotropa virgata 028
Site name: May Creek (4)

MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
Element Occurrence Record
Allotropa virgata

Occurrence # 029

Survey site name: GORY CREEK
EO rank: C

EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION ABOVE THINNED PINUS

PONDEROSA STAND, SURROUNDED BY
CLEARCUTS .

County : BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: ISAAC MEADOWS

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

003S 017W 09 SE4SE4, 16NW4SE4SE4

Survey date: 1992-08-12 Elevation: 6800 -6900

First observation: 1992-08-12 Slope/aspect: 30% / SOUTHEAST

Last observation: 1992-08-12 Size (acres) : 10

Location :

BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS, NORTH OF ISAAC MEADOWS, WEST OF RUBY CREEK AND
SOUTH OF GORY CREEK, CA. 2.1 AIR MILES NORTHWEST OF 1120 RANCH. FROM
FS RD #9451 BELOW GORY CREEK, HEAD THROUGH THINNED PINUS PONDEROSA
STAND NORTHWEST UP SLOPE.

Element occurrence data:

34 PLANTS (15 LIVE PLANTS WITH 34 STEMS, 13 DEAD PLANTS WITH 23 STEMS
AND 6 PLANTS WITH 21 LIVE AND 13 DEAD STEMS) ; 91 TOTAL STEMS (55 LIVE
AND 36 DEAD) , ALL IN FRUIT. 1 LIVE STEM GRAZED.

General site description:

PINUS PONDEROSA-VACCINIUM SCOPARIUM ASSOCIATION; DRY, GRAVELLY, SILTY
SANDY SLOPES, OPEN TO FAIRLY DENSE CANOPY, LITTLE BARE GROUND. SOME
DOWNED TREES AND EVIDENCE OF PAST FIRE, WITH CALAMAGROSTIS. RUBESCENS,
LUPINUS SERICEUS, SPIRAEA BETULIFOLIA, PTEROSPORA ANDROMEDA, ALNUS
VIRIDIS, HYPOPITYS MONOTROPA, CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA, HIERACIUM
ALBIFLORUM, PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, EPILOBIUM ANGUSTI FOLIUM, PYROLA
ASARIFOLIA, ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, WISDOM RANGER DISTRICT
Comments :

Information source:

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [FIELD SURVEYS TO SAPPHIRE AND ANACONDA RANGES,
DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST, OF JULY 13, 15-18.]

Allotropa virgata 029

Site name: Gory Creek

Isaac Meadows 7.5' Quad

MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
Element Occurrence Record
Allotropa virgata

Occurrence # 030

Survey site name:

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

BOBCAT LAKES TRAIL
C

SMALL POPULATION WITH WIDELY-SCATTERED
INDIVIDUALS; SOME PLANTS BESIDE TRAIL.

County: BEAVERHEAD

USGS quadrangle: ODELL LAKE

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

003S 013W 02 S2NE4, 3S2NE4

Survey date: 1992-08-31 Elevation: 7020 -7760

First observation: 1992-08-31 Slope/aspect: 5-45% / S-N, MOSTLY

EAST

Last observation: 1992-08-31 Size (acres) : 30

Location:

PIONEER MOUNTAINS, CA. 14 AIR MILES EAST OF WISDOM AND CA. 2.3 AIR
MILES NORTH OF LOWER SKULL CREEK MEADOW. GO UP THE BOBCAT LAKES TRAIL
FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE LACY CREEK TRAIL; SITE IS IN TRAIL VICINITY
CA. 0.2-1. 0 MILES FROM JUNCTION.

Element occurrence data:

20 PLANTS (3 WITH 11 LIVE AND 7 DEAD STEMS, 8 WITH 12 LIVE STEMS AND 9
WITH 27 DEAD STEMS) ; 57 STEMS (23 LIVE AND 34 DEAD) , 95% IN FRUIT, 5%
IN FLOWER, 4 LIVE STEMS GRAZED WITH MOOSE OBSERVED NEARBY.

General site description:

PARTIALLY TO VERY OPEN PINUS PONDEROSA-VACCINIUM SCOPULARUM
ASSOCIATION, MUCH DEAD WOOD AND LITTER IN SOME AREAS; DRY, SILTY OR
GRAVELLY-SILTY SOIL, WITH SHEPERDIA CANADENSIS, SPIRAEA BETULIFOLIA
CALAMAGROSTIS RUBESCENS , CAREX GEYERI , HIERACIUM ALBIFLORUM,
ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI, HYPOPITYS MONOTROPA, LUPINUS SERICEUS, AND
ABIES LASIOCARPA.

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, WISE RIVER RANGER DISTRICT
Comments :

Information source:

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [FIELD SURVEYS TO SAPPHIRE AND ANACONDA RANGES,
DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST, OF JULY 13, 15-18.]

Allotropa virgata 030 Odell Lake 7.5' Quad

Site name: Bobcat Lakes Trail

MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
Element Occurrence Record
Allotropa viraata

Occurrence # 031

Survey site name: STEVENSON CREEK TRAIL
EO rank: AB

EO rank comments: MODERATELY LARGE POPULATION ALONG

HEAVILY-USED ERODING TRAIL; CLEARCUTS
NEARBY .

County : BEAVERHEAD

uses quadrangle: ELK CREEK

Township: Range: Section: TRS comments:

002S 018W 24 S2NW4,NE4SW4,E2SE4

Survey date:
First observation:
Last observation:

1992-09-02

1992-09-02

1992-09-02

Elevation: 6600 -7400

Slope/aspect: 5-25% / W-N, MOSTLY NW

Size (acres) : 60

Location:

BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS, SOUTH OF MAY CREEK CAMPGROUND. FROM WISDOM GO
WEST CA. 18 MILES ON HIGHWAY 43 TO STEVENSON CREEK TRAIL; SITE IS FROM
CA. 0.2 TO 1.0 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CAMPGROUND.

Element occurrence data:

102 PLANTS (26 WITH 71 LIVE AND 113 DEAD STEMS, 44 WITH 95 LIVE STEMS
AND 32 WITH 107 DEAD STEMS), 376 STEMS TOTAL (166 LIVE AND 210 DEAD).'
6 LIVE STEMS AND 1 DEAD STEM GRAZED. 10% IN FLOWER, 90% IN FRUIT.

General site description:

OPEN TO VERY OPEN PINUS PONDEROSA-VACCINIUM SCOPARIUM ASSOCIATION WITH
A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII. MUCH OPEN GROUND,

LITTER AND DEAD WOOD; DRY SILTY SLOPING RIDGE, EVIDENCE OF PAST FIRE
WITH LICHENS, SPIRAEA BETULIFOLIA, CALAMAGROSTIS RUBESCENS, VACCINIUM
GLOBULARE, CAREX GEYERI , HYPOPITYS MONOTROPA, CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA
ANTENNARIA SP., XEROPHYLLUM TENAX AND EPILOBIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM .

Land owner/manager:

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST, WISDOM RANGER DISTRICT
Comments :

Information source;

POOLE, J. M. 1992. [FIELD SURVEYS TO SAPPHIRE AND ANACONDA RANGES,
DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST, OF JULY 13, 15-18.]

Allotropa virgata 031

Site name: Stevenson Creek Trail \r5

APPENDIX 2

AREAS SURVEYED WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS

Deerlodge National Forest

George Lake area - 13
T4N R14W SECTION
T4N R14W SECTION
T4N R15W SECTION
T4N R15W SECTION

July 1992

18 NE^NW^i, EhSEhmh
1 NW^SW^SW^

13 N^^NW^SE^, SE^SW^NE^,
12 S^sSE^SE^, NE^SE^SE^

NW^SE^jNE

1

4 /

W^NE^NE^

Big Spring and Dexter
T4N R15W SECTION

T4N R15W SECTION
T4N R15W SECTION
T4N R15W SECTION
T4N R15W SECTION

Creek area - 15 July 1992

23 S^hSEhmii, NW^NE^SE^, E^sSW^NE^SE^ ,
SEJ^NE^SEJ^, NE^SE^SE^, E^sSE^SE^SE^

24 VlhSVIhSVI\

26 S^SW^SE^

25 W^jNW^NW^, NE^SW^^NW^

35 NW35NE^, N^SW^NE^, NE^SE^NW^, E^NE^NW^

Meyers Creek area - 16 July 1992
T3N R16W SECTION 3 E^jSE^NE^

T4N R16W SECTION 35 W^.SW^SW^, NW^SW^ , NW^NE^SW^, E^SE^NW^,

NW^?SW^NE^, NW^NE^, NW^NE^NE^

T4N R16W SECTION 26 SW^jNE^^

Whetstone Ridge area -
T3N R16W SECTION 6

T3N R16W SECTION 7
T3N R17W SECTION 1

17 July 1992

S^jSE^SE^, SW^SE^, SE^SW^5, N^SW^SW^?,
SJjNWl^SW^, NW^NW^SW^, W^^SW^NW^? ,
SW^NW^NW^, NW^NW^SE^

NE^NW^NE^

El.NE^SE^, E^SE^NE^

Creek area - 18 July 1992
T5N R16W SECTION 33 NW^NW^

TRN PI .QTJ’r'rrrnM oq

T5N R16W SECTION
T5N R16W SECTION

NW^NW^, NE^SE^NWi
28 W^^SE^, SE^SW^NE^
21 WJ
SE

^^SE^, SE^SW^NE^, NW^SE^NE^,
^jSE^^SEl,, W^^NE^SE^, SE^NE^ ,
E^NWJjNE^, S^NEi^NE^i

E^NE^NE^

SE^,

12

AREAS SURVEYED WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS (cont. )

BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST

Ridge north of Sawpit Ridge, Badger Ridge, and ridge between -

12 August 1992

T3S

R17W

SECTION

15

vihNVih

T3S

R17W

SECTION

16

SE^NE^, S

^NE^NE^, NE^NE

T3S

R17W

SECTION

9

SEJjSE^SE^

, N^SE^NE^

, SW

E^NW^NE^,

NW^NW^NE^

T3S

R17W

SECTION

10

NW^NW^

T3S

R17W

SECTION

4

SW^SW^SE^

, SE^SW^,

NE^Sl

NE^NW^SW^

SW^, SW^NW

hs\^h

NijSW^NE^,

S^NW^NE^,

NE^]

T3S

R17W

SECTION

5

W^NE^NE^,

E^NW^NE^,

NW^;

SijSW^NE^,

N^NE^SE^

T2S

R17W

SECTION

33

sviksvihsvih

T2S

R17W

SECTION

32

ShSEhSEh,

SE^SW^SE^

NW^SE^NE^, E^SW^NE^,

Ridge north of Butler Creek - 13 August 1992

T2S R17W SECTION 27 E^jNE^NE^, SE^NE^, SE^SE^SW^, W^jSW^SE^,

S^sNW^SE^, W^NEJ?SEii

T2S R17W SECTION 28 SE^SE^, N^SWijSE^, S^NW^SE^?, NE^SW^;,

E^jNW^SW^

T2S R17W SECTION 33 NE^^NE^^NE^NE^

T2S R17W SECTION 34 NW^NW^, NW^NE^NW^?

Bobcat Lakes trail - 31 August 1992

T3S R13W SECTION 2 NW^NW^SE^, NE^NE^SW^

T3S R13W SECTION 3 S^sSW^NE^, S^NW^

Swamp Creek road. Twin Lakes Campground and road. Big Lake Creek
pack trail i September 1992

T5S R17W SECTION 26 W^SE^, S^jNE^SW^, N^SE^SW^

T5S R17W SECTION 10 NW??

T5S R17W SECTION 9 N^sNE^, N^NW^

T5S R17W SECTION 8 NE^NE^

Stevenson Creek trail - 2 September 1992

T2S R18W SECTION 24 SE^SW^SE^, SW^SW^sSE^SE^ , NW3?SW^NWi^,

SW^NW^NW^

T2S R18W SECTION 25 NE^^NE^

13

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