The large terminal spike and the long, female scales that are at 

 least twice as long as the perigynia are distinctive and separate 

 this plant from the other varieties of C. parryana. However, 

 Carex is a large and difficult genus. A hand lens or microscope 

 and technical key are essential for positive determination. 



GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION 



Global distribution: southwest Montana and adjacent Idaho 



Montana distribution: Beaverhead, Madison, Powell, and 

 Silver Bow counties 



Sage Creek distribution: Small populations are associated 

 with springs near the head of Price Creek and Basin Creek. 



CONSERVATION STATUS 



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: 3C, proposed for C2 



Montana Bureau of Land Management: Sensitive 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G2Q-S2 



HABITAT: Carex parryana idahoa occurs in moist, probably 

 calcareous soil at the ecotone between wet meadows and adjacent 

 grasslands. In the Sage Creek area these sites are associated 

 with seeps, springs and small spring creeks at 6,700-8,000 ft in 

 elevation. Juncus balticus, Poa pratensis, Carex praegracilis, 

 Potentilla gracilis and Trifolium longipes are common associated 

 species. 



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