Foothills Grassland 



This type is restricted to the southwestern edge of the study 

 area. It consists of rolling foothills that are along the base of 

 the Highwood Mountains. This distinguishing features of the 

 type are the admixture of plains and mountain species and the 

 predominance of wheatgrasses (bluebunch and western) and fescues 

 (Idaho and sheep). Other common species are service berry, choke- 

 cherry, snowberry, rose, western yarrow, clubmoss and phlox. 



Northern Grassland 



This type is primarily restricted to the western half of the 

 study area north of the Missouri River. It consists of glaciated 

 and rolling plains. Common species are blue grama, western wheat- 

 grass, dryland sedges, blue grasses, prairie junegrass, clubmoss 

 and fringed sagewort. 



Te ton River- Judith Basin Grassland 



This type is primarily located in the western half of the 

 study area south of the Missouri River and on both sides of the 

 Judith River. It is a gently sloping to rolling grassland with 

 large amounts of sandberg bluegrass, prairie junegrass and lesser 

 amounts of bluebunch wheatgrass, needleleaf sedge and threadleaf 

 sedge. Much of the better land has been broken for grain produc- 

 tion and is very productive. 



Central Grassland 



This type is commonly found on the high plains adjacent to 

 the Breaks in the eastern half of the study area. The distinguish- 

 ing feature is the general prevalence of big sagebrush in minor 

 quantities throughout this type. The sagebrush assumes dominance 

 in some local situations, while in others it fades out almost com- 

 pletely. Some other common species are plains prickly pear, 

 silver sagebrush, fringed sagewort, sandberg bluegrass, green 

 needlegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, phlox, wild buckwheat, scarlet 

 globemallow and sedges. Western wheatgrass is abundant on the 

 heavier soils such as those occurring in northern Fergus County. 



M issouri Breaks Scrub Pine 



This type is found along the steep breaks and rough and roll- 

 ing land of the Missouri River and its tributaries throughout the 

 eastern two-thirds of the study area. The distinguishing feature 

 of this type is the wild, rugged topography. Cliffs, deep-cut 

 canyons and large rock outcrops are common. A distinguishing 

 grass species is plains muhly. Other common species are bluebunch 

 wheatgrass, blue grama, western wheatgrass, little blue-stem, 

 sandberg bluegrass, threadleaf sedge, phlox, wild buckwheat, sage- 

 brush, rabbitbrush, yucca, plains prickly pear, ponderosa pine and 

 juniper . 



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