D. Identifying characteristics of material which is in interstate or international 

 commerce or trade: No interstate commerce or trade is known. 



E. Photographs and line drawings: Figure 1 is an illustration of Spiranthes diluvialis; 

 the whole plant. Figure 2 is a comparative illustration of the flowers of .S. diluvialis, 

 S. romanzoffiana, S. magnicamporum and S. porrifolia. Color slides of the species 

 were taken in the course of this study and close-ups were sought from photographers. 

 They have been printed as color xeroxes for the report (Appendix B), submitted as 

 slide duplicates, and posted on the Internet. Additional slides of the species and 

 habitat in Montana are housed at the MTNHP office in Helena. 



Significance. 



A. Natural: Spiranthes diluvialis is thought to represent an evolutionary product of 

 Pleistocene climates now confined to riparian systems of the semi-arid West. It is 

 associated with riparian successional processes and microhabitats. 



It is among the few species of plants with a Rocky Mountains distribution that is 

 confined to low elevations. It is the only orchid species restricted to grasslands as 

 found in Montana, where it is consistently associated with other botanical and 

 wildlife resource features. 



B. Human: Spiranthes diluvialis is a showy flowering plant. It has not been 

 successfully propagated to date. The horticultural significance and level of 

 international trade of members of the Orchid Family is recognized by categorical 

 inclusion of all species in the Family under Appendix II of the CITES Act, a subject 

 of widespread interest (Allen 1 996). 



This species also has scientific significance in studies addressing its evolutionary 

 isolation, which has been an important subject in conservation biology research. 

 Otherwise, the species has no known agricultural, economic, or other human uses at 

 this time. 



Geographical distribution. 



A. Geographical range: Spiranthes diluvialis is known from eight states: eastern 

 Nevada (historical), northern and south-central Utah, northern Colorado, eastern 

 Idaho, western Nebraska, southeastern Wyoming, and southwestern Montana. It was 

 collected from northcentral Washington in 1997. 



When Spiranthes diluvialis was originally described (Sheviak 1 984) and 

 subsequently designated (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1 992), it was only known 

 from Colorado and Utah with an historic record in Nevada. It is now known from 

 over twice as many states. The center of distribution is along the Rocky Mountains, 



