RESULTS 



Study focused on the one state species of special concern that was 

 documented from the project area, limestone larkspur ( Delphinium 

 bicolor ssp. novum) . This taxon had been documented on BLM lands in 

 projects of the previous year on the Tendoy Mountains (Vanderhorst and 

 Lesica 1994) , and on Doherty Mountain (Vanderhorst 1993) , as well as 

 on BLM lands adjoining Bannack State Park (Vanderhorst 1995) . The 

 previous studies had provided the basis for recommending that it not 

 be considered as a sensitive species by BLM. These works had also 

 revised our current understandings of Delphinium taxonomy in the 

 state, consulting with experts in the genus to determine that what had 

 identified as Delphinium andersonii and D geyeri is in fact the 

 undescribed subspecies of D. bicolor . 



The status of this larkspur endemic to Montana had not been reviewed 

 completely in its own right, so the Elkhorn study provided a basis for 

 completing a status review. The survey results and compiled status 

 report in turn provide rationale for taking this species off the list 

 of state species of special concern. Other noteworthy biodiversity 

 features that were documented included a very large population of 

 flat-topped broomrape ( Orobanche corymbosa ) . In light of these 

 limited sensitive species survey results, priority was shifted to 

 vegetation analysis in this two-part study (reported separately) . 



We also convey information on a rare lichen, Arctoparmelia 

 subcentrif uga , recently identified by Bruce McCune (Oregon State 

 University research preparing state lichen flora) as a species which 

 is only known from two places in Montana and which is globally rare. 

 It was collected by an interagency team on land administered by BLM in 

 T.5N R.2W Sec. 14, SW 1/4 of NE 1/4. 



The modest floristic list of 160 species is preliminary, and has not 

 incorporated all the ECODATA plot composition data from the vicinity. 

 Although no vascular plant species proposed for sensitive designation 

 by BLM were found in the southern Elkhorns study area, the vegetation 

 and wildlife habitat values may represent significant biodiversity 

 values. The extensive limestone Cercocarpus ledifolius communities, 

 and localized features such as the good condition Deschampsia 

 cespitosa meadow at the upper end of Johnny Gulch are integral to the 

 Elkhorn Mountains landscape as a whole. The Delphinium bicolor ssp. 

 novum is a case in point for the values of maintaining this landscape 

 in a natural setting. This state endemic is secure precisely because 

 its habitat remains largely intact. 



The remainder of this results section contains the status report on 

 limestone larkspur. 



