Psoralea hypogaoa 

 Little Indian Breadroot 



Montana distribution: Carter, Cascade, 

 Choteau, Fergus, Golden Valley, Powder 

 River, and Rosebud counties. 



Carter County distribution: One population 

 was found in 1 997 on BLM land along the 

 Powderville Road west of Chalk Buttes. 



HABITAT: The Carter County population is in a small blowout below the crest of a sandy ridge. It 

 is associated with prairie sandreed {Calamovilfa longifolia) and sand bladderpod {Lesquerella 

 arenosa). 



SPECIES BIOLOGY: Little Indian breadroot is a long-lived perennial with a deeply buried root 

 that enables it to survive burial or loss of surface material associated with wind erosion. This species 

 is now known from seven counties in Montana, a relatively large number, with many new records 

 wince it was first reported to the BLM (Heidel 1994). But its population numbers are usually very 

 low. The Carter County population had only six plants. 



OTHER COMMENTS: The breadth of species' distribution and its occupancy in tiny areas of 

 suitable habitat suggests that this species may not be warranting the 82 (state imperiled) rank. Its 

 state rank is likely to change in the future, but this change will be made based on documentation 

 rather than projection. 



This is one of several sand-loving species in the county that are often found with other species of 

 special concern where the habitat is extensive and/or in good condition. 



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