from exposure to air in the middle of the summer. Plants were in very early 

 fruit at the study area on 8 July 1995. 



2. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: Estimated population size 

 exceeded 1000, and may be a magnitude higher. 



3. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY 



a. TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Seed. 



b. POLLINATION BIOLOGY: Unknown. 



c. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: The small seeds may be 

 dispersed by water within a basin; they also lodge in mud, adhering to 

 and transported by animals. 



F. POPULATION ECOLOGY 



1. COMPETITION: Does not grow under continuous emergent cover. 



2. HERBIVORY: None. 



3. FIRE: Not applicable. 



G. LAND OWNERSHIP (MONTANA): Public lands on which this species occurs 

 include: Custer National Forest (this study), Flathead National Forest, and Ninepipe 

 National Wildlife Refuge. Precise location information is lacking for the other historic 

 collections, which were taken in areas that are mainly privately owned. 



H. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 



1. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: None knowTi. 



2. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSES: No apparent response, 

 either positive or negative, to livestock grazing. 



3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE 

 POPULATIONS: No special measures have been identified at this time. 



4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Species is 

 known from only five locations; therefore, it remains on the state watch list, 

 awaiting further compilation of distribution information. 



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