c. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: Unknown. 



F. POPULATION ECOLOGY 



a. COMPETITION: Lavender hyssop is taller than most other herbaceous 

 woodland forbs. It may compete for light with the woody canopy. 



b. HERBIVORY: Unknown. 



c. FIRE: It persisted in a single clump at a sheltered setting in an area that had 

 burned in 1988 (T.2S R.46E Sec. 20 ). This information is insufficient to 

 interpret fire response for the species. 



G. LAND OWNERSHIP (MONTANA): The four study area occurrences are on lands 

 administered by the Ashland District of Custer National Forest. The Richland County 

 occurrence is on private land. 



H. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 



1. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: The four 

 occurrences are in areas that receive light grazing; there were no immediate 

 signs of threats. 



2. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSES: The local distribution 

 pattern suggests that it may be a decreaser under grazing. One occurrence was 

 on a north-facing hillside that was logged decades ago (T2S, R47E, Sec. 18), 

 where it persisted in one small patch among brushy growth and limited 

 regeneration that looked as though it had once been a natural opening. Another 

 occurrence was in an area that had been burned by wildfire and subsequently 

 logged (T.2S R.47E Sec. 18); only one large patch or clump was present here. 

 Logging may not have a direct affect on the species, but the associated surface 

 disturbance and weed invasions are potential concerns. 



3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE 

 POPULATIONS: No recommendations are presented at this time. 



4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Further survey 

 of woody draws, particularly in the northern end of the District, is needed to 

 round out the local distribution pattern for this and for three other species. 

 This study points to a greater need for woody draw sensitive species surveys in 

 eastern Montana. 



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