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C. Phenology. 



1. Patterns: The first observations in Montana have been made 



in mid-June in the Beartooth Mountains. At this time, some 

 of the Shoshonea plants were in flower, but most were 

 already in fruit. In the Pryor Mountains in early July, 

 most of the plants were in fruit, with seed dispersing, but 

 a few plants growing in partial shade were still in flower. 

 It is presumed that flowering on these exposed sites begins 

 in May, and probably peaks during the latter part of that 

 month or in early June. Fruit matures during June and early 

 July, and dispersal probably begins in late June and 

 continues through July and into early August. It is not 

 known when Shoshonea becomes senescent, although it is 

 suspected that the plants may be winter green, at least in 

 part. The time of seed germination is unknown. 



Due to its unusual growth form and leaf morphology, 

 Shoshonea pulvinata can be recognized in the field 

 throughout the growing season. 



2. Relation to climate and microclimate: Details are unknown. 



D. Reproductive ecology. 



1. Types of reproduction: Details of the breeding system are 

 unknown. Reproduction appears to be entirely by seed; no 

 evidence of asexual reproduction was observed. 



2. Pollination. 



a. Mechanisms: Probably by insects. Faegri and van der 

 Pijl (1971) state that members of the Apiaceae are 

 adapted to pollination by a wide range of insects, 

 including beetles, flies, and bees. 



b. Specific known pollinators: In several instances, 

 flies of the Family Syrphidae were observed on the 

 flowers of Shoshonea . Otherwise, specific pollinators 

 are unknown. 



c. Other suspected pollinators: None known. 



d. Vulnerability of pollinators: Unknown. 



3. Seed dispersal. 



a. General mechanisms: Shoshonea pulvinata does not 



appear to have any specialized mechanisms for long- 

 distance dispersal. Although not directly observed, it 

 is presumed that the mericarps fall from the 

 inflorescence in the vicinity of the parent plant. 

 Dispersal away from the parent plant may involve 

 movement by wind, or by animal vectors such as ants or 



