Status review of Aquilegia brevistyla, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Region 1 ; Lewis & Clark National Forest, Montana

583.111
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Schasaberf^cr

Status review of
Aqui let»i a
brevistylat
U.S.D.A. Forest

STATUS REVIEW OF Aquileqia brevistvla

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

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST

MONTANA

Prepared by:

Lisa Schassberger Roe, Botanist

Montana Natural Heritage Program

State Library Building

1515 E. 6th Avenue

Helena, MT 59620

STAIt DOCUMENTS COLLECTION

JUL 01993

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59620

Challenge Cost-share Project
January 1992

1992 Montana Natural Heritage Program

This document should be cited as follows:

Roe, L.S. 1992. Status review of Aquileqia brevistyla , Lewis &
Clark National Forest. Montana Natural Heritage Program. Helena,
MT. 4 7 pp.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

I . SUMMARY 1

II. SPECIES INFORMATION 2

A. CLASSIFICATION 2

B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS 3

C. DESCRIPTION 3

D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 5

E . HABITAT 7

F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY AND BIOLOGY 9

G . POPULATION ECOLOGY 19

H. LAND OWNERSHIP 19

I . DOCUMENTATION 2 0

III. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 21

A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS 21

B. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE 2 2

C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS. 22

D. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT 2 2

VI. LITERATURE CITED 23

V. ELEMENT OCCURRENCE PRINT-OUTS AND MAPS 2 5

VI . PHOTOGRAPHS 4 2

1 the following report, numbers in parentheses after site names refer to the Montana Natural
;ritage Program occurrence numbers for those sites.

This is an abridged report

For the full report please contact:

The Montana Natural Heritage Program

1515 E Sixth Ave

Helena, Montana 59620

406-444-3009

I . SUMMARY

This report summarizes the findings of field surveys conducted
from 1-5 July 1991, by the Montana Natural Heritage Program, and
fieldwork completed by Lewis & Clark National Forest personnel,
for Aauilectia brevistvla (short-styled columbine) on the Lewis &
Clark National Forest in Montana.

This member of the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) is peripheral
in Montana, and is found more commonly to the north in Canada and
Alaska. Prior to the 1991 field season, this species was known
from only two verified locations within Montana; both were in the
Little Belt Mountains, on Lewis & Clark National Forest lands. A
third population on the Boulder River south of Big Timber, MT,
was unverified due to a questionable specimen. Field surveys
conducted during 1991 by Montana Natural Heritage Program and
Lewis & Clark National Forest personnel revealed seven new
populations, all in the Judith River watershed. The Boulder
River population remains unverified. Of the nine known
populations of A. brevistvla, two contain plants that exhibit
characteristics intermediate to A. brevistvla and A. flavescens.
Hybridization is extremely common among species in the genus
Aquileqia and may be occurring here. A chromosome count and an
electrophoretic study of the Montana populations might confirm
the presence of the suspected hybrids.

Fire swept through the Sage Creek (003) population in the fall of
1990. Field observations in 1991 indicate that in lightly burned
areas, where the duff remained intact, plants survived. Plants
did not survive in areas where the duff was eliminated by hot
fire. Observations of the Sage Creek (003) population should
continue for several years to determine long term fire effects,
especially with respect to the removal of shade and logging
activities.

Further survey work will be necessary to try to verify the
Boulder River (002) record. Additional surveys should also be
completed in the Judith River watershed to better detail the
range of this species.

II. SPECIES INFORMATION
A. CLASSIFICATION

1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aquileqia brevistvla Hook.

2. SYNONYMS: A. vulgaris var. brevistvla Gray, in
Amer. Journ. Sci. ser. 2, xxxiii, 243 (1862); A.
brevistvla var. vera Bruhl, in Journ. Asiatic Soc.
Bengal, Ixi, pt. 2, 319, (1893); A. brevistvla
var. altior Rapaics, in Hot. Kozlem. viii, 132
(1909) .

3. COMMON NAME: short-styled columbine.

4. FAMILY: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family).

5. GENUS: According to Hitchcock et al. (1964),
there are about 70 species of columbine in the
Northern Hemisphere, chiefly found in the
mountains. Munz (1946) recognized 67 species.
Dorn (1984) recognizes five species for Montana.
The genus shows high interfertility , with
polyploidy quite rare, and diploid interspecific
hybrids that show little sterility.
Interfertility is as common between species on
opposite sides of the earth as between
geographically related species (Munz 1946) . Munz
(1946) felt that in nature, species of Aquileqia
are likely to exist only where some degree of
isolation occurs, geographical or altitudinal, and
only where there are overlapping ranges is
intergradation to be expected. Indeed, Clausen et
al. (1945) state: "These results lead to the
conclusion that Aquileqia is one huge cenospecies
composed of only a few ecospecies. Probably most
of the recognized ^species' are merely
morphologically distinguishable ecotypes or
subspecies. This evolutionary status is of much
interest, because it possibly represents a
youthful stage experienced by many other, now
mature genera, before they developed a strong
barrier to interbreeding, with polyploidy
following. "

6. SPECIES: Aquileqia brevistvla is characterized by
blue and white pendulous flowers, hooked spurs
which are shorter than the laminae, included
stamens, and short styles. This combination of
characters positions it closer to Asiatic species
than other American species except A. saximontana
and A. laramiensis, both of which have shorter

stems with flowers in among the leaves (Munz
1946) .

B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS

1. FEDERAL STATUS

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

b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Aquilecfia brevistvla is
currently included on the list of sensitive
plant species for Region 1 (Northern Region)
of the U.S. Forest Service. Agency-
objectives and policy in the 1984 Forest
Service Manual provide for the management and
protection of sensitive species (Section
2670.32). Under these guidelines, the U.S.
Forest Service is to "(a) void or minimize
impacts to species whose viability has been
identified as a concern" (2670.32.2).

2. STATE: Prior to the 1991 field season, Aguilegia
brevistyla was listed by the Montana Natural
Heritage Program (Achuff 1991) as "critically
imperiled in the state" (state rank = SI) . With
the addition of seven new locations from 1991
field surveys by U.S. Forest Service and Montana
Natural Heritage Program personnel, the state rank
will be changed to S2, "imperiled because of
rarity. "

It is recommended as "sensitive" (any species,
that is known from a limited number of populations
in Montana) by Lesica and Shelly (1991) .

3. OTHER STATUS: Aquileaia brevistvla is listed as
"rare and threatened in Wyoming" by the Wyoming
Natural Diversity Data Base (Marriott 1991) .
Although restricted to the Black Hills region of
South Dakota, this species is locally common there
(Dave Ode 1991) .

C. DESCRIPTION

1. GENERAL NONTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: The short-

styled columbine grows from 8-32 inches in height.
The branched stems are fuzzy-hairy, and bear
short-stemmed, compound leaves, each composed of
three maple leaf-shaped leaflets. Flowers droop
on short stems at the upper nodes, each composed
of five petals and five sepals. The petal blades
are white and rounded at the tip, while the

backward extension, the spur, is short, hooked,
and blue in color. Five pointed, blue sepals,
flare out behind the petals. The styles are
short, usually near 1/8 inch long. When ripe, the
dry tubular elongate fruits contain numerous
black, shining, narrow arcuate seeds (adapted from
Munz 1946) .

2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Stems 2-8 dm high, 1.5-3.5
mm thick, glabrous to pilose below, pilose and
more or less glandular above, simple to branched
above; basal leaves few, biternate, rather thin,
green and glabrous above, glaucous and glabrous to
pilose beneath; petioles 3-18 cm long, slender,
subglabrous to pilose; primary petiolules 1-5 cm
long, usually pilose, secondary up to 1 cm long;
leaflets round-obovate to wider, 1-4 cm long,
cleft to about the middle, each division with few
round-oblong often slightly emarginate lobes;
cauline leaves gradually reduced up the stem, the
leaflets narrower, about 1 dm long; flowers
nodding, pilose; sepals blue, slightly spreading,
lanceolate, acuminate to acute, 13-16 mm long;
laminae yellowish-white, oblong, rounded-truncate,
8-10 mm long; spurs blue, hooked, 6-7 mm long,
about 3 mm wide at base; stamens scarcely
equalling laminae, anthers yellow, about 1 mm
long; staminodia 6-7 mm long, plane, abruptly
acute; follicles 5-6, glandular and pilose, 15-25
mm long, often divergent above, the styles 3-4 mm
long; seeds about 1.5 mm long (Munz 1946).

3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: In Montana, A. brevistvla
is differentiated from other blue-flowered
columbines by a combination of characteristics
including: the length of the style, length of the
spurs, the size of the plant, and the presence and
size of leaves along the stem. Aquilegia
brevistyla differs from A. coerulea by having
short spurs (versus long spurs) , and from A.
ionesii by having leaves along the stem, and leaf
blades mostly over 15 mm long (versus only basal
leaves with blades that are less than 15 mm long) .

Munz (1946) reported hybridization between A.
brevistvla and A. f lavescens , citing the specimens
Macoun (95889, 95890) from Goat Mountain, Jasper
Park, Alberta, with "sepals spreading, blue,
16-20 mm. long; laminae whitish or pale, 6-8 mm.
long; spurs not hooked, 5-14 mm. long."
Information presented under Reproduction and
Taxonomy, Section F.3.a., p. 11, indicates that A.

brevistyla may be hybridizing with A. flavescens
in Montana. It is imperative that specimen
collections be made for determination, noting
color while still fresh, and making morphologic
measurements of style length and spur length.

Apparent hybrids between A. ionesii and A.
flavescens (Aauilegia x elatior (Strickler 1991))
have been observed in Glacier National Park that
are superficially similar to A. brevistyla
(DeSanto 1991, Lesica and Shelly 1991).

D. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

1. RANGE: Aquileqia brevistyla ranges from Alaska
and the Yukon, south to British Columbia where it
is common; and to Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario,
Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming,
where it is known peripherally (Hitchcock et al-
1964, Scoggan 1978). It is found locally in the
Black Hills of South Dakota (Ode 1991) . This
species is currently known from the mountainous
region of the Little Belt Mountains of central
Montana, with an unverified location in the
Absaroka Range along the Boulder River in south-
central Montana.

2. CURRENT SITES: There are currently seven
populations that contain A. brevistyla in Montana,
and two populations that contain A. brevistyla and
what appear to be intermediates between A.
flavescens and A. brevistyla, as determined from
morphologic evidence. All of these sites occur in
the Judith River watershed in the northeast corner
of the Little Belt Mountains.

The locations of these nine currently known, and
the one unverified site for A. brevistyla in
Montana are shown on a map. Figure 1, p. 6. The
legal descriptions, latitudes and longitudes,
elevations, USGS topographic map names, and
locations of the occurrences in Montana are found
in the Element Occurrence records, pp. 25-35.
Exact locations for nine of the sites are shown on
U.S.G.S. topographic maps pp. 36-41.

3. HISTORICAL SITES: None known.

4. UNVERIFIED/UNDOCUMENTED REPORTS: A specimen
collected in July of 1967, from 20 miles above the
town of McLeod (Sweetwater County) along the
Boulder River is unverified. The identity of the

specimen remains uncertain (Lesica and Shelly
1991) , and brief surveys for this population in
1989 by Sarah Mathews for the Montana Natural
Heritage Program were unsuccessful. Aquileqia
f lavescens was observed in flower by this author
at Aspen Campground, on the Boulder River, on 5
June 1991. Further survey work will be necessary
to locate and try to verify this record.

As stated above, this site is included on the
state map (p. 6) and information on the site can
be found in the Element Occurrence records.
Section V, p. 25. However, since an exact
location of this occurrence is not known, a
U.S.G.S. topographic is not included. Also, this
site will not be referenced in much of the
discussion that follows.

AREAS SURVEYED BUT SPECIES NOT LOCATED: The
following areas were surveyed by the author for A,
brevistyla because the habitat appeared to be
suitable on the topographic maps, but the species
was not located within them. The actual areas
surveyed may be smaller than the portions of the
sections indicated.

T09N ROSE SEC 16, NW^jSW^

T09N ROSE SEC 17, NE^,NW^

* TION R12E SEC 01, SE^,, N^^7^

* TUN R12E SEC 35, SE^

* TUN RISE SEC 05, SE^SE^s

* TUN RISE SEC 08, NE^,NE^
T14N RIOE SEC 12, NE^^NE^
T14N RUE SEC 06, SW^,SW^
T15N RIOE SEC 29, NW^SE^
T15N RIOE SEC 31, SE^SW^

Areas marked by a star contained A. f lavescens.

In addition, Wayne Phillips (Ecologist, Lewis &
Clark National Forest) surveyed for A. brevistyla
in drainages of Little Snowy Mountains and in the
Crystal Lake area of the Big Snowy Mountains in
1991 without result.

E. HABITAT

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND ASSOCIATED VEGETATION:

Aquileqia brevistyla occurs in open woods and on
stream terraces at mid-elevation in the mountains.
Populations in Montana occur at elevations from
5000-6000 feet (1525-1830 m) (Lesica and Shelly

1991) , in the ecotone between Picea
enqelmannii/Pseudotsuga menziesii (Engelmann
spruce/Douglas fir) forest and Festuca
scabrella/Poa pratensis (rough fescue/common
timothy) meadows. Moss cover was often high.
Species present included, Hylocomium splendens
Pleurozium schreberi . Drepanocladus uncinatus,
Timmia austriaca , and Thuidium abietinum.

Other associated species include:

Abies lasiocarpa (subalpine fir)
Picea enqelmannii (Engelmann spruce)
Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine)
Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine
Pseudotsuqa menziesii (Douglas fir)

Acer qlabrum (Rocky Mountain maple)
Antennaria racemosa (raceme pussytoes)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
Arnica cordifolia (heart-leaf arnica)
Aster conspicuus (showy aster)
Athyrium f ilix-femina (lady-fern)
Calamaqrostis rubescens (pinegrass)
Calypso bulbosa (fairy-slipper)
Clematis columbiana (Columbia clematis)
Cypripedium montanum (mountain lady ' s-slipper)
Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue)
Festuca scabrella (rough fescue)
Fraqaria virqiniana (Virginia strawberry)
Galium boreale (northern bedstraw)
Galium trif lorum (sweetscented bedstraw)
Geranium richardsonii (white geranium)
Goodyera repens (northern rattlesnake-plantain)
Habenaria viridis (frog orchis)
Juniperus communis (common juniper)
Linnaea borealis (twinflower)
Phleum pratense (common timothy)
Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass)
Potentilla f ruticosa (shrubby cinquefoil)
Pyrola secunda (one-sided wintergreen)
Ribes lacustre (swamp currant)
Schizachne purpurascens (false melic)
Shepherdia canadensis (Canada buf f aloberry)
Smilacina stellata (starry Solomon-plume)
Spiraea betulifolia (shiny-leaf spiraea)
Thalictrum occidentale (western meadowrue)
Viola canadensis (Canada violet)

2. TOPOGRAPHY: In Montana, A. brevistyla is known to
occur in the Little Belt Mountains, in the Judith

River watershed. Populations occur at mid-
elevations (5000-6000 ft, (1525-1830 m) ) , on
slopes that range from 0-40 percent. Most of the
populations occur on toeslopes and along valley
bottoms.

3. SOIL RELATIONSHIPS: In Montana, A. brevistvla has
been found on alluvial and colluvial limestone
substrates. Populations occur on soils derived
from Madison Limestone, the Monarch Formation
(brown & black granular limestone capped by-
shale) , and the Barker Formation (limestone and
micaceous shale, containing beds of limestone
conglomerate and quartzite at the base) (Weed
1899) .

4. REGIONAL CLIMATE: The regional climate of central
Montana is characterized by warm summers and cold,
snowy winters. The precipitation peak in central
Montana is generally as rain or wet snow in May
and June (U.S. Department of Commerce 1982).

The climatic station closest to the central
Montana sites is at Stanford (elevation 4308 ft.
(1315 m) ) , which is approximately 18 miles
northeast, and about 1500 feet (460 m) lower than
most of the sites in the Little Belt Mountains.
For the period 1951-1980 (U.S. Department of
Commerce 1982) , the January mean temperature was
20.5°F (2.6°C), the July mean temperature was
65.2°F (18.6°C), and the annual mean temperature
was 43.2°F (6.3°C). The mean annual precipitation
was 15.34 inches (38.4 cm), with May (3.01 inches)
(7.5 cm) and June (3.07 inches) (7.7 cm) being the
wettest months.

F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY AND BIOLOGY

1. PHENOLOGY: Plants begin flowering in Montana in
late May and early June, and often continue to
flower through early July. June of 1991 was a
very wet and cold month across most of the state,
including the Little Belt Mountains. Several
populations of A. brevistvla were at the height of
bloom on July 1, nearly two weeks later than the
previous year. Fruit and seed set usually occur
in July and August.

2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: The following
population sizes are underestimated, since
flowering plants are usually the most visible and
are easily counted. It was not practical to try

10

to count plants in the vegetative state for entire
populations, since the leaf morphology and
architecture of Thalictrum occidentale and A.
brevistvla are nearly indistinguishable in a
forest setting.

Dry Pole (001)

Population size: ca. 45 plants in 2 main

subpopulations .

Population condition: several plants show

characteristics intermediate to A. brevistyla

and A_^ f lavescens .

Acreage covered by population: 1

Last observation date: 1991

Boulder River (002)

Population size: 0

Population condition: unknown.

Acreage covered by population: unknown.

Last observation date: 1967

Sage Creek (003)

Population size: ca . 2000 plants (1990), ca .
770 - 1000 in 1991.

Population condition: site burned in fall of
1990, population size was difficult to
estimate in 1991 as a number of plants were
only in a vegetative state.
Acreage covered by population: 15
Last observation date: 1991

Burris Trail (004)

Population size: ca. 100 plants.
Population condition: good.
Acreage covered by population: 1
Last observation date: 1991.

Burley Creek (005)

Population size: ca. 2000 plants.
Population condition: good.
Acreage covered by population: ca. 300.
Last observation date: 1991

High Spring Creek (006)

Population size: 100-200 plants.
Population condition: good.
Acreage covered by population: ca. 30.
Last observation date: 1991

11

Hay Canyon (007)

Population size: ca . 800-1000 plants.
Population condition: good condition, many
plants in disturbed roadside berms .
Acreage covered by population: ca. 40.
Last observation date: 1991

South Fork Judith River (008)

Population size: ca . 10-15 plants.
Population condition: good, could be easily
disturbed by roadside activities.
Acreage covered by population: 1
Last observation date: 1991

South Fork Judith River (009)

Population size: ca . 25 plants.

Population condition: several plants show

characteristics intermediate to A. brevistyla

and A^ f lavescens.

Acreage covered by population: 1

Last observation date: 1991

Smith Creek (010)

Population size: ca . 2 plants, more survey
needs to be completed in this drainage.
Population condition: unknown.
Acreage covered by population: 1
Last observation date: 1991

REPRODUCTION AND TAXONOMY

Most members of the genus Aquilegia are
outcrossers and are known to easily hybridize.
For 56 out of 58 taxa in the genus Aquilegia ,
2n=14 (Dawe and Murray 1981) . Dawe and Murray
(1981) report 2n=16 for A. brevistyla. If A.
brevistyla is an aneuploid, it is less likely that
it would produce fertile hybrids. However,
collections made in the Little Belt Mountains by
this author during the 1991 field season are
problematic, and Munz (1946) reports putative
hybridization between A. brevistyla and A.
f lavescens in Alberta, Canada.

At Dry Pole (001) , initial collections and
photographs were taken of a small cluster of A.
brevistyla . Upon continuing up the canyon,
Aquilegia plants with long blue spurs and sepals
were observed in shaded locations, but completely
yellow Aquilegias were observed in more open
locations. Further exploration up the canyon
yielded observations of only A. f lavescens.

12

Subsequently, five more specimen collections were
made to include the observed variation of this
site, and additional Aquileqia collections were
made from surveyed locations across the Lewis &
Clark National Forest.

Morphologic measurements were completed on pressed
specimens, and sepal color observations were made
before collection and after pressing and drying.
Only one measurement was taken for each character
on each specimen. This information is presented
in Table 1, p. 13. Similar information was
obtained for Aquileqia specimens collected from
other locations on the Forest. Utilizing the keys
and descriptions presented by Scoggan (1978), Moss
(1983) and Munz (1946), a matrix of characters
that are associated with A. brevistyla and A.
f lavescens was organized in table form. Table 2,
p. 14. Individual characters of each specimen
were then scored with respect to the matrix (Table
3, p. 15). Thus, the character of sepal color for
a specimen was scored as either falling into the
description for A. brevistyla or A. f lavescens , or
if it did not clearly fit into either, (such as
yellow when collected, blue when pressed) as
intermediate. Finally, a composite score was
given to each specimen (bottom of Table 3, p. 15).
Collection sites for these specimens are marked on
portions of a reduced reproduction of a USDA
Forest Service map of the Lewis & Clark National
Forest, Figure 2 (p. 16), and 3 (p. 17).
Specimens are deposited as detailed under
Documentation, Section I.I., p. 20.

Only at Dry Pole (001) was the distribution of A.
f lavescens actually observed to overlap with A.
brevistyla. Six specimens (442 1-6) were
collected from this site. Of these, specimens
442-2, and 6 best fit the description of A.
brevistyla according to the matrix (Table 2) ,
while specimens 442-3 and -4 fit the description
of A. f lavescens. Specimens 442-1, and -5 each
were given composite scores of intermediate (to A.
brevistyla and A. f lavescens) . Specimen 442-1 had
blue sepals, a short style, and stamens that were
barely exserted; all characters representative of
A brevistyla . However, this specimen also had
long and wide sepals, and petals that were less
than half the length of the sepals, characters
that better fit the description for A. f lavescens.
Specimen 442-5 was collected yellow but dried

13

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Figure 2. USDA Lewis & Clark National Forest map showing the locations Jp^
of the Aquilegia collections on which measurements (Table 1) were
made in 1991. Specimen collection numbers occur next to the stars
above , and in Table 1 .

Figure 3. USDA Lewis & Clark National Forest map showing the location H
of an Aquilegia collection on which measurements (Table 1) were
made in 199l7 A specimen collection number occurs next to the star
above , and in Table 1 .

blue, and had barely exserted stamens. All other
characters for this specimen fit the description
for A. f lavescens. A photograph of a putative
hybrid plant is included in Section VI, p. 47.

Although A. f lavescens was not observed near the
South Fork Judith River (Oil) population, specimen
446-1 had blue sepals and barely exserted stamens,
characters that best fit the description of A.
brevistyla. However, it also had long and wide
sepals, and a long style, characters associated
with A, f lavescens. Due to the mix of characters,
this specimen was also scored as an intermediate.

Other puzzling collections include those from
Haymaker Canyon on the southeast side of the
Little Belt Mountains. When these two specimens
were collected, both were yellow in color. One of
the two (449-2) dried to blue, and the stamens on
this specimen were also barely exserted;
characters associated with A. brevistyla. All the
other characters for both specimens however better
fit the matrix for A. f lavescens. No blue
Aquileqia were observed nearby.

In light of this situation, a chromosome count and
electrophoretic analysis would be of use in
discerning the status of these questionable
populations.

Asexual reproduction is virtually non-existent in
the wild, but in cultivation, root division is
possible (Munz 1946) .

b. POLLINATION BIOLOGY: Not known.

c. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: Under
cultivation, species in the genus Aquileqia
do well in light sandy soil, and may be
seeded in early spring or summer. Most
species in the genus appear to live only 3-4
years under cultivation, although this time
period may be further prolonged by prevention
of seed production (Munz 1946) .

Seed appears to disperse by wind in August or
September when the follicles dry and dehisce.

d. FIRE ECOLOGY: A fire swept through the Sage
Creek drainage in the fall of 1990. A
portion of the A. brevistyla population (Sage
Creek (003)) was in an area that burned.

This area was resurveyed for A. brevistyla by
Wayne Phillips (Lewis & Clark National
Forest) during the summer of 1991. Where the
fire burned away the duff layer, A.
brevistyla plants did not survive. However,
if the duff layer was still intact, the root
crown was apparently protected, and basal
leaves appeared in 1991. Plants in very
lightly burned areas not only survived, but
many flowered in 1991 (Phillips 1991) .
Although precautions were made, a salvage
timber sale may eliminate portions of what is
left of the surviving plants. It is also not
known how the loss of shade will affect the
population. Several stakes were set in 1991
by Lewis & Clark National Forest personnel.
These marked the location of groups of
suspected vegetative A. brevistyla plants.
These stake areas should be resurveyed in
1992, and the entire area reviewed for
several years to make general observations on
this species response to fire.

G. POPULATION ECOLOGY

1. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS

a. COMPETITION: Aguilegia brevistyla plants
were observed to occur where total understory
vegetation cover may reach 90 percent; they
appear to compete very well. Partial
overstory shade was common, and only a few
plants were observed in more open locations
at the edges of meadows. Often these more
open sites would receive shade from the
adjacent forest and steep ridges.

b. HERBIVORY: None observed.
H. LAND OWNERSHIP

1. Lewis & Clark National Forest
Judith Ranger District

Dry Pole (001)

Sage Creek (003)

Burris Trail (004)

Burley Creek (005)

High Spring Creek (006)

Hay Canyon (007)

South Fork Judith River (008)

South Fork Judith River (009)

Smith Creek (010)

2. Gallatin National Forest

Big Timber Ranger District

Boulder River (002)

I. DOCUMENTATION

1. SPECIMENS: Specimens documenting populations are
deposited at the University of Montana Herbarium
(MONTU) , Montana State University (MONT) , and at
the U.S. Forest Service, Region 1 Herbarium (MRC) ,
Locations of specimens of A. f lavescens collected
and used for reference material are included
below.

Aquileqia brevistyla

Dry Pole (001)

Lovaas. A. (s.n. ) . 1956, Specimen #51788 (MONT).

Dry Pole (001)

Roe. L.S. (442-1,2,3,4,5.6). 1991, (MONT).
Specimen 442-2, and -5 showed characters
intermediate to A. brevistyla and A. f lavescens.

Boulder River (002)

Thornton. L. fs.n. ) . 1967, (MONT). R. Dorn,
"specimen questionable probably A. coerulea
James." S. Shelly, "measurements unsure."

Sage Creek (003)

Phillips, H.W. (900629-1) . 1990, (MONTU).

Burris Trail (004)

Field, D. (070490-2) . 1990.

Roe, L.S. (444-1.2). 1991, (MONTU).

High Spring Creek (006)

Roe. L.S. (445) . 1991, (MONT).

Hay Canyon (007)

Roe. L.S. (447) . 1991, (MONT).

South Fork Judith River (008)

Roe. L.S. (446-1.2) . 1991, (MONT). Specimen 446-
1, and -2 showed characters intermediate to A.
brevistyla and A. f lavescens.

21
Aquileqia flavescens

Logging Creek

Roe, L.S. (448) ■ 1991, (MONT) .

Haymaker Canyon

Roe, L.S. (449-1,2), 1991, (MONT). Specimen 449-2
showed characters intermediate to A. brevistvla
and A. flavescens.

2. SLIDES: Color slides of individuals, populations,
and the habitat of A. brevistvla are deposited at'
the Montana Natural Heritage Program, 1515 E. 6th
Ave. , Helena, MT.

III. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS:

1. GRAZING: The Sage Creek (003) and Dry Pole (001)
populations are in grazing allotments. Grazing
impacts should be evaluated, especially for the
Sage Creek area where much of the forage burned.
This site was rested during 1991, but will be
grazed at the previous level in 1992. The effects
of grazing should be noted where possible.

2. TIMBER HARVESTING: As stated above, although
precautions may be taken, timber harvest is likely
to affect a portion of the remaining plants at
Sage Creek (003). Aquileqia brevistvla also
occurs in several areas proposed for timber sale
along the South Fork of the Judith River, and
these activities should be reviewed for their
effect on these populations.

3. WEED CONTROL ACTIVITIES: Many of the A.
brevistyla populations would be susceptible to
weed control activities due to their proximity to
roadways. Weed control management teams should be
aware of the presence of A. brevistvla populations
on the Lewis & Clark National Forest.

4. ROAD BUILDING: Aquileqia brevistvla plants have
been found to invade old road cuts in both Hay
Canyon (007) and Burley Creek (005). Although
disturbance does not appear to be necessary for
this species' survival, A. brevistvla does appear
able to invade and establish itself in disturbed
areas. if this species is able to invade
disturbed areas, skid trails and roads used in

logging operations in Sage Creek should be
observed in the future.

B. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE: None known.

C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS:

Little is known of the habitat requirements of this
species. Until further information is gained, all
populations should receive protection from management
actions that might degrade the habitat and affect the
populations.

D. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: An
electrophoretic analysis of populations of A.
brevistyla and A. f lavescens could prove useful in
discerning whether or not hybridization is occurring.
Also, a chromosome count on several populations would
be useful in verifying the work done by Dawe and Murray

(1981) .

Post-fire observations should be continued at Sage
Creek (003) to determine this species' long term
response to fire. Further survey work in the Judith
River watershed would better define the boundaries of
this meta-population. Finally, another attempt should
be made to verify the location on the Boulder
River (002) , Gallatin National Forest.

23

VI. LITERATURE CITED

Achuff, P.L. 1991. Plant species of special concern in Montana.
Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana. 20 pp.,

mimeo.

Clausen, J., D. Keck, and W. Heisey. 1945. Experimental studies
on the nature of species. Carnegie Inst. Publ . 564: 77-79.

Dawe, J.C., and D.F. Murray. 1981, Chromosome numbers of
selected Alaskan vascular plants. Canadian Journal of
Botany 59:1373-1381.

DeSanto, J. 1991. Variations in Aquilegia jonesii . Bulletin of
the American Rock Garden Society 49(l):60-65.

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

Hitchcock, C.L., Cronquist A., Ownbey, M. and J.W. Thompson.
1964. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest, Part 2:
Salicaceae to Saxif ragaceae . University of Washington
Press, Seattle. 597 pp.

Lesica, P., and J.S. Shelly. 1991. Sensitive, Threatened and
Endangered Plants of Montana. Montana Natural Heritage
Program, Occasional Publication No, 1. Helena, Montana,
8 8 pp.

Marriott, H. 1991. Plant species of special concern in Wyoming.
Wyoming Natural Diversity Data Base, Laramie, Wyoming. 7
pp. , mimeo.

Moss, E.H. 1983. Flora of Alberta. 2nd edition revised by J.G.
Packer. University of Toronto Press, Canada. 687 pp.

Munz, P. A. 1946. Aquilegia, the cultivated and wild columbines.
Gentes Herbarium 7:1-150,

Ode, D. 1991. South Dakota Natural Heritage Program Botanist,

Pierre, South Dakota, Phone conversation (September) on the
distribution of Aquilegia brevistvla in South Dakota,

Phillips, H.W. 1991. Lewis & Clark National Forest Ecologist,

Great Falls, Montana. Phone conversations of December 4 and
5, on fire ecology and distribution of A, brevistyla.

Scoggan, H.J. 1978. The flora of Canada. Part 3, National
Museums of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. pp. 547-1115,

Strickler, D. 1991. A native columbine hybrid: Aquileqia X

elatior . Kelseya, Newsletter of the Montana Native Plant
Society 4 (3) :5.

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

temperature, precipitation, and heating and cooling degree
days 1951-80, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Climatography of the United States No. 81.
23 pp.

Weed, W.H. 1899. Description of the Little Belt Mountains,
Montana. USGS Geology Atlas. Folio 56, map 1:250,000.

ELEMENT OCCURRENCE PRINT-OUTS AND MAPS

Note: On maps, dark lines outline population boundaries,
the dot is used only as a locator for the site occurrence
numbers .

Montana Natural Heritage Program 26

Element Occurrence Record: Aquileqia brevistyla

Occurrence number: 001

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

Survey site name: DRY POLE

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: POSSIBLE HYBRIDIZATION WITH AQUILEGIA
FLAVESCENS.

County: JUDITH BASIN

USGS quadrangle: INDIAN HILL

Tov;nship: 012N Range: OllE Section: 25 Precision: S
Tov;nship-range comments: SW4

Survey date: 1991-07-01 Elevation: 5520
First observation: 1956 Slope/aspect: LEVEL-5% / SW, NE

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

Location:

h LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS; TAKE THE SOUTH FORK JUDITH RIVER ROAD (DRY POLE

^ CANYON) CA. 16 MILES SOUTHWEST OF UTICA.

Element occurrence data:

CA. 4 5 PLANTS IN TWO MAIN SUBPOPULATIONS , AND SEVERAL SCATTERED
PLANTS. PLANTS FURTHER UP THE CANYON HAVE CHARACTERISTICS INTERMEDIATE
BETWEEN AQUILEGIA BREVISTYLA AND AQUILEGIA FLAVESCENS.

General site description:

ECOTONAL TO PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII (13-14" DBH) / PINUS CONTORTA
FOREST. ASSOCIATED WITH FRAGARIA VIRGINIANA, GALIUM BOREALE,
POTENTILLA FRUTICOSA, ANTENNARIA RACEMOSA, ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI,
SMILACINA STELLATA, HABENARIA VIRIDIS AND LINNAEA BOREALIS. SITE IS
PARTIALLY SHADED BY VEGETATION AND PARTIALLY BY ITS CANYON BOTTOM
POSITION. CALCAREOUS ROCKY SOILS WITH A THICK DUFF AND MOSS LAYER;
MOIST SITE.

Land owner/manager:

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, JUDITH RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

ORIGINAL DATA FROM SPECIMEN: LOVAAS , A. (S.N.) 1956, SPECIMEN # 51788,
MONT. SOUTH OF LAST MAPPED SUBPOPULATION PLANTS SHOWED CHARACTERISTICS
INTERMEDIATE BETWEEN AQUILEGIA BREVISTYLA AND AQUILEGIA FLAVESCENS.
CA. 0.5 MILE BEYOND THAT, ALL PLANTS SHOWED CHARACTERS OF AQUILEGIA
FLAVESCENS.

"nformation source:

ROE, LISA S. MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, 1515 EAST SIXTH AVE.,
HELENA, MT 59620 (442, 1-6) 1991. MONT.

Montana Natural Heritage Program 2

Element Occurrence Record: Aquileqia brevistyla

Occurrence number: 002

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

Survey site name: BOULDER RIVER

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: SWEET GRASS

USGS quadrangle: CHROME MOUNTAIN

Township: 005S Range: 012E Section: 01 Precision: G
Township-range comments:

Survey date: Elevation: 5560

First observation: 1967 Slope/aspect:

Last observation: 1967-07-04 Size (acres) :

Location:

BOULDER RIVER, 20 MILES ABOVE THE TOWN OF MCLEOD (GENERAL LOCATION) .

fclement occurrence data:
^ IN FRUIT.

General site description:

UNKNOWN .

Land owner/manager:

GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, BIG TIMBER RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

IDENTIFICATION IS QUESTIONABLE; R. DORN : "PROBABLY A. COERULEA JAMES'
A. PLANTENBERG, 1983: "NO"; S. SHELLY, "FLORAL MEASUREMENTS
INCONCLUSIVE." GENERAL LOCATION; S. MATHEWS, PLANT PRESSED SUCH THAT
FLOWERS CANNOT BE PROPERLY MEASURED; SURVEYS 28-30 JULY 1989, BY S.
MATHEWS, NO A. BREVISTYLA OR A. COERULEA FOUND.

Information source:

THORNTON, L. (S.N.). 1967. MONT.

Montana Natural Heritage Program 28

Element Occurrence Record: Aquilegia brevistyla

Occurrence number: 003

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

Survey site name: SAGE CREEK

EO rank: D
EO rank comments: GRAZING IN AREA, BURNED IN 1990, LOGGING
IN 1991.

County: JUDITH BASIN

USGS quadrangle: WOODHURST MOUNTAIN

Township: 014N Range: OllE Section: 21 Precision: S
Township-range comments : S2 , SW4NW4 , 22W2 , 29SE4NE4 , 20NW4NE4 , 17SW4SE4

Survey date: 1991-06-29 Elevation: 5600
First observation: 1990 Slope/aspect: 0-8% / NORTH, EAST

Last observation: 1991-06-29 Size (acres): 4

Location:

CA. 2.5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF WINDHAM, ALONG SAGE CREEK (FS ROAD ^265).

"lement occurrence data:

1991: SITE BURNED IN THE FALL OF 1990, ca . 750-1000 plants. 1990: ca .
2 000 PLANTS IN FLOWER AND FRUIT; VERY DISTINCT BLUE SEPALS AND SHORT
HOOKED SPURS. SCATTERED INDIVIDUALS UP HAY COULEE. SUBPOPULATIONS AT
AND ABOVE HAY COULEE ALONG SAGE CREEK ARE STILL PRESENT AND ABOUT HALF
IN FLOWER; PLANTS IN SECTION 22 MAY BE GONE.

General site description:

ECOTONE BETWEEN ENGELMANN SPRUCE/DOUGLAS FIR FOREST AND FESTUCA
SCABRELLA/POA PRATENSIS MEADOWS. ALLUVIAL AND COLLUVIAL LIMESTONE
SUBSTRATE. ASSOCIATED SPECIES: LINNAEA BOREALIS, JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS,
ARNICA CORDIFOLIA, ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI, PYROLA SECUNDA, PHLEUM
PRATENSE, FESTUCA SCABRELLA. MUCH OF THE OVERSTORY BURNED IN THE FALL
OF 1990.

Land owner/manager:

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, JUDITH RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

1991: AFTER THE FIRE, PLANTS WERE STILL PRESENT WHERE THE DUFF DID NOT
BURN. 1990: POPULATION PROBABLY EXTENDS UP HAY COULEE AND SAGE CREEK.

Information source:

PHILLIPS, WAYNE. LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, P.O. BOX 871, GREAT
FALLS, MT 59403. (900629-1). 1990. MONTU.

Montana Natural Heritage Program 29

Element Occurrence Record: Aquileqia brevistyla

Occurrence number: 004

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

Survey site name: BURRIS TRAIL

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: SMALL POPULATION, BUT GOOD REMOTE
LOCATION.

County: JUDITH BASIN

USGS quadrangle: ETTIEN SPRING

Township: 012N Range: OlOE Section: 27 Precision: S
Township-range comments: SW4NW4

Survey date: 1991-07-02 Elevation: 6020
First observation: 1990 Slope/aspect: 8-15% / NORTHWEST

Last observation: 1991-07-02 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

CA. 18 MILES SOUTHEAST OF NEIHART; CA. 0.5 MILE SOUTH OF BURRIS CABIN
H ON FS TRAIL ^433.

Element occurrence data:

1991: CA. 100 PLANTS IN FULL BLOOM ON 2 JULY (WET, COLD MAY AND JUNE).
1990: A FEW PLANTS, BLOOM NEARLY FINISHED 4 JULY.

General site description:

ALONG TRAIL; ALL FORESTED, CA. 50% CANOPY CLOSURE. ASSOCIATED SPECIES:
PINUS CONTORTA, ABIES LASIOCARPA, PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII, THALICTRUM
OCCIDENTALE, CALAMAGROSTIS RUBESCENS , ASTER CONSPICUUS , CYPRIPEDIUM
MONTANUM, LINNAEA BOREALIS, GALIUM BOREALE , ANTENNARIA RACEMOSA, VIOLA
CANADENSIS, AND EXTENSIVE MOSS COVER.

Land owner/manager:

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, JUDITH RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

POPULATION COVERS SMALL AREA FROM TRAIL WEST TO CREEK. VOUCHER -
FIELD, D. (070490-2), 1990.

Information source:

ROE, LISA S. MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, 1515 EAST 6TH AVE.,
HELENA, MT 59620. (444). 1991. MONT.

Montana Natural Heritage Program
Element Occurrence Record: Aguilegia brevistyla

30

Occurrence number: 005

Global rank:
State rank:

G5
SI

Forest Service status;
Federal Status;

SENSITIVE

Survey site name: BURLEY CREEK

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: JUDITH BASIN

uses quadrangle: INDIAN HILL

Township: 012N Range: OllE Section: 35
Township-range comments: NW4 , 2 6CENTRAL.

Precision: S

Survey date: 1991-08
First observation: 1991
Last observation: 1991-08

Elevation: 5800
Slope/aspect: 0-30% / NNW
Size (acres) : 300

Location:

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS; CA . 2 AIR MILES SOUTH OF DRY POLE CAMPGROUND.

SITE IS EAST OF THE SOUTH FORK JUDITH RIVER, ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE
^ RIDGE.

Element occurrence data:

SEVERAL THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS

FULL FLOWER TO PAST FLOWER.

General site description:

PLANTS SCATTERED OVER A LARGE AREA. SEMI-OPEN, MOIST DRAINAGE BOTTOMS
AND LOWER SLOPES, LIMESTONE BEDROCK, SILTY CLAY LOAM SOIL. PSEUDOTSUGA
MENZIESII/SYMPHORICARPOS ALBUS , PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/LINNAEA
BOREALIS, AND PICEA ENGELMANNII/LINNAEA BOREALIS HABITAT TYPES. PINUS
PONDEROSA, SHEPHERDIA CANADENSIS, JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS, SPIRAEA
BETULIFOLIA, GERANIUM RICHARDSONII , FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS, POA SPP.,
HYLOCOMIUM SPLENDENS, PLEUROZIUM SCHREBERI , DREPANOCLADUS UNCINATUS,
TIMMIA AUSTRIACA, AND THUIDIUM ABIETINUM. ALSO GOODYERA REPENS. LIST
OF ADDITIONAL SPECIES ON FILE AT MTNHP.

Land owner/manager:

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, JUDITH RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

ALONG BURLEY CREEK, PLANTS OCCUR ALONGSIDE OLD, REVEGETATED ROADWAY
ACCESSING A SMALL TIMBER HARVEST. SURVEY CONDUCTED BY ROGER EVANS.
LATER SURVEY WORK BY WAYNE PHILLIPS EXTENDED POPULATION BOUNDARIES.

Information source:

PHILLIPS, H. WAYNE, LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, P.O.BOX 871,
^ GREAT FALLS, MT 594 03.

Montana Natural Heritage Program 3

Element Occurrence Record: Aquileqia brevistyla

Occurrence number: 006

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

Survey site name: HIGH SPRING CREEK

EO rank: A
EO rank comments: EXCELLENT POPULATION.

County: JUDITH BASIN

USGS quadrangle: INDIAN HILL

Township: 012N Range: OllE Section: 27 Precision: S
Township-range comments: CENTER

Survey date: 1991-07-02 Elevation: 5600
First observation: 1991 Slope/aspect: 0-40% / NORTH

Last observation: 1991-07-02 Size (acres) : 30

Location:

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS, HIGH SPRING CREEK, NEAR THE SOUTH FORK JUDITH
RIVER, CA. 17 MILES SOUTHWEST OF UTICA.

Element occurrence data:

100-200 PLANTS, SCATTERED.

General site description:

IN CALCAREOUS ROCKY SOILS WITHIN AND AT MARGINS OF PSEUDOTSUGA
MENZIESII AND PINUS CONTORTA FOREST. IN FEATHERMOSS, WITH CLEMATIS
COLUMBIANA, LINNAEA BOREALIS, ANTENNARIA RACEMOSA, SMILACINA STELLATA,
AND POTENTILLA FRUTICOSA.

Land owner/manager:

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, JUDITH RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

NO AQUILEGIA FLAVESCENS PRESENT.

Information source:

ROE, LISA S. MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, 1515 EAST 6TH AVE.,
HELENA, MT 59620. (445). 1991. MONT.

Montana Natural Heritage Program 32

Element Occurrence Record: Aquileqia brevistyla

Dccurrence number: 007

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

Survey site name: HAY CANYON

EO rank: B
EO rank comments: LARGE POPULATION, NOT EASILY PROTECTED.

County: JUDITH BASIN

USGS quadrangle: INDIAN HILL

Township: 012N Range: OllE Section: 14 Precision: S
Tovmship-range comments: N2SW4 ; 15SE4 ; 22NV-J4NE4 .

Survey date: 1991-07-03 Elevation: 5200
First observation: 1991 Slope/aspect: 0-30% / N, S, W

Last observation: 1991-07-03 Size (acres) : 40

Location:

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS, HAY CANYON NEAR THE SOUTH FORK JUDITH RIVER,
CA. 14 MILES SOUTHWEST OF UTICA.

Element occurrence data:
800-1000 STEMS.

General site description:

PLANTS SCATTERED ALONG CANYON BOTTOM AND ROADSIDE, IN CALCAREOUS,
ROCKY SOILS. PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/PINUS CONTORTA FOREST, WITH
CLEMATIS COLUMBIANA, LINNAEA BOREALIS, ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI, GALIUM
BOREALE AND FRAGARIA VIRGINIANA.

Land owner/manager:

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, JUDITH RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

PORTIONS OF POPULATION IN DISTURBED HABITATS (ROADSIDE GRAVELS) .

Information source:

ROE, LISA S. MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, 1515 E. SIXTH AVE.,
HELENA, MT 59620. (447) 1991. MONT.

Montana Natural Heritage Program 3 3

Element Occurrence Record: Aquilegia brevistyla

Occurrence number: 008

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

Survey site name: SOUTH FORK JUDITH RIVER

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

County: JUDITH BASIN

USGS quadrangle: INDIAN HILL

Township: 012N Range: QUE Section: 01 Precision: S
Tov;nship-range comments: NE4SW4

Survey date: 1991-07-03 Elevation: 5040
First observation: 1991 Slope/aspect: 0-5% / WEST

Last observation: 1991-07-03 Size (acres) : 1

Location:

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS, SOUTH FORK JUDITH RIVER, CA. 14 MILES SOUTHWEST
OF UTICA, ON BENCH ON EAST SIDE OF ROAD.

Element occurrence data:
10-15 PLANTS.

General site description:

CANYON BOTTOM, IN ROCKY CALCAREOUS SOILS BENEATH PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII
AND PINUS CONTORTA, WITH CLEMATIS COLUMBIANA, JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS,
LINNAEA BOREALIS AND ARNICA CORDIFOLIA, ACER GLABRUM, ARCTOSTAPHYLOS
UVA-URSI AND GOODYERA REPENS .

Land owner/manager:

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, JUDITH RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:
NONE.

Information source:

ROE, LISA S. MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, 1515 E. SIXTH AVE.,
HELENA, MT 59620.

Montana Natural Heritage Program 34

Element Occurrence Record: Aquileqia brevistyla

Occurrence number: 009

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

Survey site name: SOUTH FORK JUDITH RIVER

EO rank: C
EO rank comments: POPULATION MAY CONTAIN HYBRIDS.

County: JUDITH BASIN

uses quadrangle: INDIAN HILL

Township: 012N Range: OllE Section: 23 Precision: S
Township-range comments: CENTER

Survey date: 1991-07-02 Elevation: 5240
First observation: 1991 Slope/aspect: 0-20% / NORTHEAST

Last observation: 1991-07-02 Size (acres) : 1

Location :

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS; SOUTH FORK JUDITH RIVER, CA . 0.5 MILE NORTH OF
RUSSELL POINT, ON WEST SIDE OF RIVER WHERE A SMALL CREEK FLOWS INTO
^ THE SOUTH FORK.

Element occurrence data:

CA. 2 5 PLANTS. POPULATION MAY CONTAIN HYBRIDS.

General site description:

IN ROCKY CALCAREOUS SOIL, IN SHADED LOCATION, GROUND COVERED BY
FEATHERMOSS, WITH CLEMATIS COLUMBIANA, LINNAEA BOREALIS, PSEUDOTSUGA
MENZIESII AND JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS.

Land owner/manager:

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, JUDITH RANGER DISTRICT

Comments :

TWO COLLECTIONS: ONE KEYS EASILY TO A. BREVISTYLA, THE SECOND SHOWS
CHARACTERS INTERMEDIATE BETWEEN A. BREVISTYLA AND A. FLAVESCENS.

Information source:

ROE, LISA, S., MONTANA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM, 1515 E 6TH AVE.
HELENA, MT 59620. (466-1,2). 1991. MONT.

Montana Natural Heritage Program 35

Element Occurrence Record: Aquilegia brevistyla

Occurrence number: 010

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

Survey site name: SMITH CREEK

EO rank:
EO rank comments:

County: JUDITH BASIN

uses quadrangle: RUSSIAN FLAT
DAISY PEAK

Township: OllN Range: OllE Section: 8 Precision: S
Tov;nship-range comments: NW4SW4

Survey date: Elevation: 5880

First observation: 1991 Slope/aspect: 30 % / NORTHEAST

Last observation: 1991-07-18 Size (acres): 1

Location:

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS; FROM UTICA, FOLLOW THE SOUTH FORK JUDITH RIVER
^ CA. 21 MILES SOUTHWEST TO THE INTERSECTION WITH SMITH CREEK. SITE IS
^ CA. 0.12 MILE UP SMITH CREEK FROM THE CONFLUENCE.

Element occurrence data:

TWO PLANTS, PAST FLOWER.

General site description:

ON MESIC, LIMEY SHALE OUTCROP, IN PARTIAL SHADE OF A LOWER SLOPE.
PICEA ENGELMANNII/LINNAEA BOREALIS, WITH: THALICTRUM OCCIDENTALE,
ATHYRIUM FILIX-FEMINA, GALIUM TRIFLORUM, RIBES LACUSTRE , ACER GLABRUM,
FEATHER MOSSES AND CALYPSO BULBOSA.

Land owner/manager:

LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, JUDITH RANGER DISTRICT

Comments:

PLANTS WERE IDENTIFIED ON THE BASIS OF SHORT-STYLED CAPSULES;
COLLECTIONS NEED TO BE MADE IN FLOWER FOR POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION.

Information source:

FIELD, DANA, LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST, BOX 869, GREAT FALLS, MT
59403.

42
VI. PHOTOGRAPHS

A. Aquilegja brevistvla
curved spurs.

flower, Dry Pole (001) . Note short,

44

Aquileqia brevistyla - habit, Dry Pole (001)

45

:r^^ V

^Ur.- ^iT)

^)^

C. Aquileqia brevistyla - habitat. Note vegetation cover,

46

!»^^^

D. Aquileqia brevistyla - habitat, Dry Pole (001) . South Fork
Judith River drainage, Montana.

47

Putative hybrid betv/een Aquileqia brevistyla and A.
f lavescens. Dry Pole (001) , South Fork Judith River
drainage, Montana. Note long, straight spurs, exserted
stamens, and blue coloration.