Balscimorhiza macrophylla 



SPECIES INFORMATION 



A. CLASSIFICATION 



1. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Balsamorhiza macrophylla Nutt. 



2. COMMON NAME: Large-leaved balsamroot 



3. FAMILY: Asteraceae (Sunflower family) 



4. GENUS: There are approximately 12 species in the 

 genus Balsamorhiza (Cronquist 1955) , all occurring 

 in western North America. Two members of the genus 

 are widespread in the northern Rocky Mountain 

 region: B. saqittata and B. incana . 



5. SPECIES: Balsamorhiza macrophylla is a Great Basin 

 species that reaches its northern range limit in 

 Gallatin County, Montana. Cronquist (1955) notes 

 that "any two species will hybridize where they 

 grow together" due to the lack of strong genetic 

 barriers. However, no obvious hybrids were noted 

 in the Montana population of B. macrophylla . where 

 B. saqittata also occurs. 



B. PRESENT LEGAL OR OTHER FORMAL STATUS 



1. FEDERAL STATUS 



a. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE: Balsamorhiza 

 macrophylla is not currently listed in the 

 U.S.F.W.S. Notice of Review (U.S. Department 

 of Interior 1985) . 



b. U.S. FOREST SERVICE: Balsamorhiza macrophylla 

 is currently included on the list of sensitive 

 plant species for Region 1 (Northern Region) 

 of the U.S. Forest Service (U.S. Department of 

 Agriculture 1988) . 



2. STATE: Balsamorhiza macrophylla is currently 

 listed by the Montana Natural Heritage Program 

 (Shelly 1989) as "critically imperiled in the 

 state" (state rank = SI) . This state rank does not 

 currently provide any direct legal protection for 

 B. macrophylla . Through its inclusion on the 

 Region 1 sensitive plant list, the taxon has legal 

 protection under U.S. Forest Service agency 

 policies (W. Ruediger, pers. comm.). 



