26 



) square miles. 



2. Demographic details (Montana): See Table 2, 

 pp. 27-30. 



Eight previously documented populations (002, 

 003, 005, 009, 012, 014, 019, 020) were 

 revisited in 1989. Of these eight, drastic 

 decreases in population size were noted in 

 three of them (Badger Pass (005) , Red Butte 

 (012), Ermont Gulch (014)). At Badger Pass, 

 190 plants were counted in 1986, approximately 

 75 of which were within an exclosure 

 constructed to protect part of the population. 

 During 1989, however, only 5-10 plants were 

 observed, most of them on a roadbank; none were 

 found within the exclosure. Similarly, 142 

 plants were counted in the main subpopulation 

 at Red Butte in 1986; no plants were found 

 there in 1988, and only ca. 12 plants were seen 

 in 1989. Seventy-six plants were counted in 

 the Ermont Gulch population in 1986, but only 

 one plant was observed in 1989. The reasons 

 for these declines are unknown; many of the 

 plants may have been dormant in 1989, or they 

 I may have actually been extirpated. Monitoring 



of these sites should be continued, to 

 determine whether these observed declines are 

 permanent. 



An increase in population size was noted at the 

 Dutch Creek (035) site; during 1987, only one 

 plant was observed there, on an open roadbank; 

 searches in undisturbed habitat on slopes above 

 the road did not reveal any other plants. In 

 1989, approximately 28 plants were located in 

 the same area. This information suggests that 

 the plants can be periodically dormant, and 

 that observed population size may fluctuate 

 from year to year as a result. 



C. Phenology. 



1. Patterns: In Montana, Penstemon lemhiensis is 

 in bloom from early June to late July, 

 depending upon climatic conditions and 

 elevation. On some very warm, exposed sites, 

 such as south-facing roadbanks where the 

 species has been sporadically found, it may 

 begin blooming by late May. Mature fruits are 

 present during August and early September, and 

 . seeds are dispersed sporadically from the 



P dehiscing capsules during that time. At the 



