INTRODUCTION 



SPECIES: Claytonia lanceolata Pursh var. flava (A. Nels.) C.L. Hitch. 

 FAMILY: Portulacaceae (Purslane Family). 



A survey of the East, Main and West Boulder River drainages, and selected areas 

 of the Gallatin National Forest for Claytonia lanceolata var. flava . was completed during 

 the week of June 3-7, 1991. A complete status report (Shelly 1989) details much of 

 the information known about C. lanceolata var. flava . This report contains a summary 

 of these surveys, ongoing studies, and new information obtained since January 1989. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 



In addition to the detailed survey of the Boulder River drainages for C. lanceolata 

 var. flava populations, eight new populations were located at sites across the Gallatin 

 National Forest during 1991. Twenty new locations (nineteen containing all white 

 individuals, one containing all yellow individuals) of C. lanceolata var. flava have been 

 documented since 1989. This brings the total of known locations for this species to 

 twenty-five. These populations occur in twelve counties (Jefferson, Deer Lodge, 

 Beaverhead, Gallatin, Silver Bow, Granite, Cascade, Sweetgrass, Madison, Park, 

 Broadwater, and Judith Basin) across the state. Of these locations, five contain all 

 yellow or a mix of yellow and white forms, while the other twenty contain only the 

 white form. The current distribution of the yellow and white forms of C. lanceolata 

 var. flava in Montana is shown in Figure 1, p. 2. The exact locations are shown on 

 maps, pp. 39-65. Populations are known to occur on Beaverhead, Deerlodge, Gallatin, 

 and Lewis and Clark National Forest lands. 



Shell/s (1989) range for the species as a whole may be greatly expanded 

 depending on the scope of the taxonomic revision undertaken as outlined below under 

 Species Information and Systematic Status, (p. 9). Also, because of the inconspicuous 

 nature of the plant, and its similarity to variety lanceolata . at least the white form of 

 variety flava is probably more common than previously suspected. 



The following areas were surveyed for C. lanceolata var. flava because the 

 habitat appeared to be suitable on topographic maps, but the species was not located 

 within them. The actual areas surveyed may be smaller than the portions of the 

 sections indicated. 



T03S R06E SECTION 31, NEJ^SEJ? 

 T03S R06E SECTION 32, NW^SW^ 

 T04S R06E SECTION 9, NE^,SE!i 

 T04S R06E SECTION 23, NW^NW^^ 

 T04S R04E SECTION 35, SE^iSEi? 



