MONTANA DISTRIBUTION: Southern Carbcin County 



PRYOR MOUNTAINS DESERT DISTRIBUTION: Leptodactvlon caespitosum is local 

 below 1525 m (5000 ft) on the south side of the Pryor Mountains. The species appears 

 to be confined to outcroppings of Chugwater sandstone, generally with north or east 

 exposures. Small to sometimes large populations occur in sparsely vegetated 

 communities, often dominated by Chrysothamnus nauseosus and Phlox muscoides . 



COMMENTS: Welsh et al. (1987) state that L, caespitosum has a disjunct distribution 

 due to its occurrence in peculiar soils. 



MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: We located 11 populations of L 

 caespitosum in the study area, but seven of these had less than 100 plants, and only two 

 populations had more than 1000 plants. Populations are confined to an unusual although 

 locally common substrate over an area smaller in size than a single township. These are 

 the only populations known in Montana. Leptodactvlon caespitosum should be given 

 special status on BLM's Miles City District. 



Mnlacothiix toi tcnI Gray 



Desert Dandelion 



NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM STATUS: G4/S1 



MONTANA STATUS: Sensitive 



GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: Southern Oregon to south-central Montana, south to 

 California and Arizona 



MONTANA DISTRIBUTION: Southern Carbon County 



PRYOR MOUNTAINS DESERT DISTRIBUTION: Malacnnhrix torrevi is local and 

 rare below 1525 m (5000 ft) on the south side of the Pryor Mountains. We located four 

 small populations in sandy soil with Artemisia tridentata and Bcuiteloua gracilis . 



MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: This species is an annual; thu.s, population 

 sizes may very greatly among years and may resjiond positively to moderate levels of 

 disturbance. Malacothrix torrevi is rare in the study area and in Montana. Populations 

 at the north end of the Bighorn Basin are disjunct from the main portion of the species' 

 range. This species should be given special status on BLM's Miles City District. 



25 



