further distinguishes the unique soil of this environment. The selenium indicators Astragalus 

 racemosus and Stanleya pinnata were present in our upland plot. 



Comments: An upland community dominated by Eriogonum pauciflorum (syn. Eriogonum 

 multiceps) with Chrysothamnus nauseosus present was described from northeastern Montana 

 (Branson et al. 1970), supporting the designation of ERIPAU/CHRNAU proposed here. No other 

 descriptions of Eriogonum pauciflorum dominated communities have been found, although an 

 Eriogonum pauciflorum xeric dwarf shrub series is listed for Montana in Cooper and DeVelice 

 (1995) but no citation or distribution is given. An Atriplex gardneri (syn. A. nuttallii)/Eriogonum 

 pauciflorum community type with Chrysothamnus nauseosus constant is described from 

 northeastern Montana (DeVelice et al. 1995). In Carter County, Atriplex nuttallii and Eriogonum 

 pauciflorum were never observed codominant, although topographic settings and overall aspect of 

 communities dominated by each are similar (see discussion of ATRGAR/ELYLAN). Branson et al. 

 (1970) described communities in close juxtaposition dominated by each of these two species and 

 found contrasting soil environments; soils of iht Atriplex gardneri-dommsHed community are several 

 time more alkaline, more saline, with higher clay and sodium content, and have half the infiltration 

 rate. 



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