48 



POPULATION INFORMATION: Population numbers range from 10 to > 10.000 in the state. 

 The latter population is in the study area and represents the largest known population of this 

 species in Montana, one which straddles Bannack State Park and adjoining BLM lands (#003). 

 Most other populations are in the thousands except for those few which were found on small, 

 isolated outcrop areas. Reproduction is by seed. 



MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS: Immediate management requirements have not been 

 identified because the slopes where it grows have limited forage production for grazing and do 

 not produce commercial timber. However, the global rank of this species has recently been 

 changed from G3 (globally \ailnerable) to G2 (globally imperilled) because it has a narrow 

 distribution throughout its range in Montana and Wyoming. E\'en if it has no immediate threats 

 to support BLM designation as sensitive, it is critical that it remain on the BLM watch list and its 

 status be further evaluated in Montana. The species could potentially be impacted by road 

 construction, mining activities, or \seed in\asion. 



Oryzopsis contracta (Johnson) Shechter 



CONTRACTED INDIAN RICEGRASS 



Grass Family (Poaceae) 



CONSERVATION STATUS 



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser\ice: None at present. It was recently listed as a Category 2 

 (C2) species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1993), although surA-ey and 

 herbarium studies in Wyoming documented a broad distribution, and limited degree of 

 threats. This provided the basis for reconamending that it be dropped from further 

 consideration. 



Bureau of Land Management: None. It was not previously kno\Mi from BLM lands in 

 Montana. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G3 SH (state historical); reranked SU as a 

 result of this study. 



DESCRIPTION: Contracted Indian ricegrass is a tufted perennial with glabrous stems 12-28 

 inches tall. The inflorescence is a panicle with branches that are initially contracted (hence the 

 common name) but which become stiffly spreading at maturity (Figure 20; Appendix D-16, D- 

 17). Spikelets are single-flowered, slender, and 3/8 inch long. The lemmas are covered by short, 

 white, silky hairs that do not exceed the lemma; the lemmas have an awn 1/4-3/8 inches long 

 (from Fertig 1994, Wyoming Rare Plant Technical Committee 1995). 



Oryzopsis contracta can be recognized by its contracted or stiffly spreading panicle branches, 

 slender 1 -flowered spikelets, and long-awned lemmas with short, silky white hairs. These hairs 

 are equal or less than the length of the lemma (Fertig 1994). 



