those taken at the sites indicated. Additional 

 slides from other locations in Montana are housed at 

 the MTNHP office, Helena, Montana. 



4. Significance. 



A. Natural: Within the genus Penstejnon, P. lemhiensis 

 belongs to the subgenus Habroanthus, section Glabri, 

 series Speciosi (Ramstetter 1983) . The subgenus 

 contains four other species in the Pacific Northwest 

 region (P. cyaneus, P. pavettensis . P. pennellianus , 

 and P. speciosus ) ; of these, only the first two also 

 occur in Montana. Although they are superficially 

 similar, these species are "technically well-marked 

 taxa which occupy distinctive and hardly overlapping 

 geographic areas" (Hitchcock et al. 1959) . Thus, P. 

 lemhiensis would be an important taxon in 

 biosystematic studies that address the relationships 

 within the subgenus Habroanthus. Also, studies 

 adressing the pollination biology of P. lemhiensis 

 indicate close relationships with certain insects, 

 especially Pseudomasaris vespoides (Ramstetter 

 1983) . Otherwise, P. lemhiensis is not known to 

 have any peculiar adaptations or structures, or 

 roles in stabilizing landforms. Obligate 

 relationships with other species are unknown. 



B. Human: As discussed, P.. lemhiensis would be of 

 scientific significance in biosystematic studies 

 addressing its relationships within the genus. 

 Because of its striking stature and beauty, it also 

 has high horticultural potential. Otherwise, the 

 species has no known agricultural, economic, or 

 other human uses or significance at this time. 



5. Geographical distribution. 



A. Geographical range: Penstemon lemhiensis is 

 currently known from a total of 54 occurrences: 19 

 in Idaho (Lemhi County) , and 35 in Montana (30 in 

 Beaverhead County, five in Ravalli County) . It is 

 historically known from four locations in Lemhi 

 County, Idaho, and one location in Beaverhead 

 County, Montana. The range of the species in 

 Montana is indicated in Figure 1, p. 8. 



B. Precise occurrences. 



1. Populations currently known to be extant 

 (Montana): Table 1, pp. 9-16, lists 

 populations currently known in Montana. 



