12 



6. Explanation: This site is the 

 type locality for the taxon. 

 Since 1951, the area has been 

 extensively developed (see I.I.D., 

 p. 1), including construction of a 

 campground, restaurant, rodeo 

 ground, large parking areas, 

 swimming pool, etc. Only small 

 meadows are still present in 

 the area, and these are largely 

 dominated by introduced species 

 now (i.e., Phleum pratense ) . The 

 taxon has been intensively searched 

 for in the vicinity, as discussed, 

 but has never been relocated. 

 Owing to these factors, it is 

 highly likely that the plants 

 were originally very rare at this 

 location, and were extirpated 

 during the course of development 

 and highway construction over the 

 last 35 years. 



3. Historically known populations where current 

 status not known: None. 



4. Locations not yet investigated believed 

 likely to support additional natural 

 populations: Montane meadows similar to 

 those with which Tr isetum or thochaetum is 

 currently known to be associated are frequent 

 in western Montana. It is possible that 

 broader surveys of such meadows will reveal 

 additional populations. However, studies 

 regarding the apparent hybrid nature of this 

 taxon should be pursued further before any 

 additional extensive surveys are conducted. 



5. Reports having ambiguous or incomplete 

 locality information: None. 



6. Locations known or suspected to be erroneous 

 reports: None. 



C. Biogeographical and phylogenetic history: Owing 

 to the obscure nature of Tr isetum or thochaetum , 

 it is not possible to provide an accurate account 

 of the biogeographical or phy logenet ir history of 

 the taxon at this time. Because the taxon is 

 apparently of hybrid origin, the hybridization 

 events leading to its formation at the currently 

 known locations may have been relatively recent. 

 Such events are probably also sporadic in nature; 

 they may have occurred, as yet undetected, at 



