19 



I.7.C.I. Phenology patterns: In Montana, C. 



lanceolata var. f lava begins flowering in 

 early May. Peak flowering at most sites 

 occurs in mid- to late May, and may extend 

 into early June. The latest observed 

 flowering date was in the first week of July 

 at Vipond Park (003) , the highest elevation 

 site in Montana (2500 m. (8200 ft.)). 



The flowers of C. lanceolata var. f lava are 

 open only during the day; they close 

 completely one to two hours before sunset, 

 and open in the morning as the temperature 

 rises. 



I.7.D.I. Type of reproduction: Claytonia lanceolata 

 var. f lava appears to reproduce by sexual 

 production of seeds; these give rise to 

 plants with deep-seated corms. Vegetative 

 spread by growth or splitting of the corms 

 was not observed in specimens collected 

 during field surveys in 1988. 



I.7.D.2. Pollination: The details are unknown, but it 

 is possible that C. lanceolata var. f lava is 

 predominantly self-pollinating; as discussed, 

 the flowers close in the late afternoon, and 

 open again with warming during the morning. 

 This corolla closure is tight enough that 

 self-pollination may occur as a result of the 

 anthers being pressed toward the stigma. 

 However, insects (small bees) were observed 

 visiting the flowers at the French Creek site 

 on 18 May 1988; it is possible that some 

 pollination results from such activity. 



I.7.D.3. Seed dispersal: Details unknown; the seeds 

 of these perennial Clavtonia taxa are 

 relatively large, and it is likely that 

 dispersal does not extend far from the 

 parental plants. 



I.7.D.4. Seed biology: The large seed size in C. 



lanceolata is possibly an adaption allowing 

 for efficient germination and corm 

 establishment in the dense associated 

 vegetation of the meadow habitats. 



I.7.D.7. Overall assessment of reproductive success: 



All populations in Montana are extensive, and 

 currently appear to be stable. No evidence 

 of serious population declines was observed. 



