POPULATION INFORMATION: Carex parryana idahoa is rhizomatous, so 

 it is impossible to identify individual plants. The Basin Creek 

 population is estimated to have ca. 200 stems, while the Box 

 Spring population is estimated to have ca. 1,000 stems. Although 

 the wet meadows associated with the springs is somewhat 

 extensive, the ecotonal habitat is restricted. 



MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS: Carex parryana idahoa occurs in 

 habitats that receive heavy use by livestock; both Sage Creek 

 area sites were grazed and trampled. Hermann (1970) reports that 

 Carex idahoa is excellent forage for cattle, but it is not known 

 how the species responds to grazing. The introduced grass, Poa 

 pratensis, is common at both C. parryana idahoa sites and may be 

 increasing at the expense of the native sedge. It is very likely 

 that current management is detrimental to this species. 



Eriogonum caespitosum Nutt. 



Mat buckwheat 



DESCRIPTION: Mat buckwheat is a low, perennial herb or subshrub, 

 forming cushions up to 5 cm (2 in) high. The alternate, oblong 

 leaves, 10-15 mm long including the petiole, have entire, 

 downturned margins and persist on the stem after withering. 

 Foliage is covered with long, gray hairs. Numerous flowers are 

 borne in crowded, globose inflorescences atop leafless stalks, 3- 

 8 cm (1-3 in) high. Flowers arise from a solitary, cup-shaped 

 involucre with 6-7 reflexed lobes. Each flower has 6 yellow and 

 rose, petal-like tepals, 3-5 mm long. The tepals are united 

 below and taper to a hairy stalk-like base. The seeds are 

 surrounded by the swollen tepals when mature. 



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