1/4-2 '/2 in) long (Figure 22; Appendix E-13). The basal leaves are linear, 

 simple, numerous, and sometimes conceal the inflorescence. The corolla is 

 white, tube 4-6 mm long, lobes 2-3 mm long. 



2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Perennial, stems several from a deep, 

 usually branching caudex, simple (or rarely branched above) lanate; basal 

 leaves numerous, linear, simple 3-6 cm. Long, sometimes almost concealing 

 the flowering stems; cauline leaves divided, terminal segment exceeding 

 others; inflorescence loosely capitate-glomerate' calyx and bract pilose, lobes 

 acute; corolla salverform, white, tube 4-6 mm long, slightly exceeding calyx, 

 lobes ovate, 2-3 mm long; style exceeding calyx, lobes ovate, 2-3 mm long; 

 style equaling or exceeding corolla-tube, entirely glabrous or pilose below, 

 stigma 3-fid; stamens inserted in sinuses, filaments longer than anthers, anthers 

 rounded to somewhat oblong; capsule globose, maturing 1 or 2 ovules (Rollins 

 and Constance 1936). 



3. LOCAL FIELD CHARACTERS: This taxon was placed in Gilia spicata var 

 .capitata by Gray more upon habitat similarity than floral characters. It differs 

 from G. congesta var. crebifolia in having dissected cauline leaves compared 

 to entire cauline leaves, though they are inconspicuous. The type variety of 

 Gilia congesta is also present in the study area, but it is an erect plant having 

 dissected leaves on both the flowering stem and at the base. 



C. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 



1. GLOBAL RANGE: Wyoming ballhead gilia is known from northeastern 

 Wyoming, western South Dakota and western Nebraska (Hartman 

 pers.commun., Cronquist el al. 1984) and is only newly documented from 

 Montana. 



2. STATE DISTRIBUTION: The species is known in the state from the 

 Ashland District of the Custer National Forest, where it was discovered in the 

 course of this study, and from two historic collections in central and northern 

 Custer County that were archived at the Rocky Mountain Herbarium (RM) in 

 Laramie, WY (Figure 23). The historic collections were annotated to variety 

 by Marriott and represent the first such collections for Montana. Ipomopsis 

 folders at the Montana State University and at the University of Montana 

 herbaria have been checked to no avail for this variety. 



3. STUDY AREA DISTRIBUTION: Preliminary surveys documented 15 

 occurrences throughout the central and southeastern areas of the District 

 (Figure 23). The plant's consistent association with shale habitats in the 

 limited number of sites that were visited gives reason to infer that it may be 

 locally widespread. 



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