Sage Creek distribution: Two small populations on the east 

 side of Sage Creek between Little Sage Creek and East Creek. 



CONSERVATION STATUS 



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: None 



Montana Bureau of Land Management: None 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G5-S1 



HABITAT: Townsendia florifer occurs in sparsely vegetated soil 

 of sagebrush grasslands (Artemisia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis) 

 or eroding slopes at ca. 6,500 ft elevation. Common associated 

 species include Penstemon aridus, Lesquerella alpina, Gilia 

 spicata, Eriogonum mancum^ Chrysothamnus nauseosus and Artemisia 

 frig id a. 



POPULATION INFORMATION: Townsendia florifer was uncommon and 

 local at both sites in 1985. The species was found only at the 

 White Hills site in 1995 and was rare. Probably fewer than 20 

 plants were observed during these two years. 



MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS: Townsendia florifer is weedy in the 

 main part of its range in south-central Oregon (S. Shelly, pers. 

 comm.), and may be favored by disturbance associated with 

 livestock grazing. Townsendia florifer appears to require open 

 soil in Montana as well. However, T. florifer does not appear to 

 be increasing and may be decreasing under the current livestock 

 grazing regime. It is not known whether heavier grazing will 

 benefit populations of this species on the extreme edge of its 

 range. 



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