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(Scrophulariaceae) . In Montana, M. primuloides is 

 limited to the southwest portion of the state, with one 

 location in Ravalli County, and six current and two 

 historical locations in Beaverhead County. All of the 

 sites are within an approximately 35 mile radius. The 

 Montana populations are at the north-east limit of the 

 range of the species. Populations of M. primuloides 

 occur in open areas at the edges of bogs and in wet 

 meadows. Populations in Montana tend to be large, 

 ranging from 100 to greater than 2,000 ramets. 

 Although populations are large, reproduction is 

 principally vegetative. By far the greatest threat to 

 M. primuloides in Montana comes from livestock grazing 

 in wetland/riparian situations. The Pine Creek (006) 

 population located in 1989, is thought to be threatened 

 by current grazing practices (John Pierce pers. comm.). 

 In Montana populations, vegetative reproduction was 

 high, with few seedlings observed. Thus, a population 

 could be lost in grazed areas, since no reliable seed 

 bank is present to reestablish the population. Only 

 detailed monitoring will reveal if population size an 

 quality is affected by grazing. Two populations of M. 

 primuloides are potentially threatened by recreational 

 activities. The population at Lost Trail Bog (004) 

 occurs along the edge of a sphagnum bog that is 

 adjacent to the parking lot at Lost Trail Pass Ski 

 Area. Although the bog area is roped off the 

 population of M. primuloides has not been observed for 

 several years. It is recommended that Lost Trail Bog 

 (004) be resurveyed for M. primuloides including an 

 evaluation of the quality and condition of the bog. 

 The population in the meadow at Odell Creek (007) is 

 bisected by a trail, and extensive off-trail use by 

 ORVs has impacted portions of the meadow (Cedron Jones 

 pers. obs.); this site should also be surveyed to 

 determine if mitigation plans are necessary. A 

 complete survey of the Odell Lake (005) area should be 

 completed to determine if M. primuloides is still 

 extant at this site. Finally, a survey of the two 

 potential Twin Lakes (001) sites (starting with the one 

 in the Beaverhead Range) should be completed. 



