outcrops on the low ridge to the east of the mountain. Other 

 forms combining lighter colored flowers with smaller rhomboid 

 leaves were common on the eastern slope of the mountain. E. 

 ovalifolium var. nevadense has been found to be common in 

 southwestern Montana and was recommended for dropping from the 

 list of state species of special concern (Vanderhorst and 

 Lesica 1994) . It does not have a proposed designation by the 

 BLM, and is not appropriate for consideration as such. In 

 this study area, the taxon grows in rocky ground which is not 

 heavily impacted by cattle. 



Pediocactus simpsonii has was also recommended for 

 dropping from the list of BLM proposed sensitive species, and 

 from the list of state species of special concern (Vanderhorst 

 and Lesica 1994) . This species, which is common in Beaverhead 

 County, was probably mistaken in the past for species of 

 Coryphantha. This pincushion cactus is usually partially 

 buried and is resistant to grazing. It grows in sagebrush 

 dominated communities on the rocky, east facing slopes of 

 Dutchman Mountain. The population consisted of scattered 

 large, mostly vegetative plants, suggesting that reproduction 

 at this location may be limited. 



Although the population of Stanleya viridiflora in the 

 study area was small, this species has also been recommended 

 for dropping as a BLM proposed sensitive species as it is 

 common in canyon habitats in the Tendoy Mountains (Vanderhorst 

 and Lesica 1994) . Plants grow out of crevices in the 

 limestone outcrops at the eastern edge of this study area. 

 Many plants were browsed and uprooted, probably by rodents, 

 and its habitat was weedy. Additional potential habitat for 

 this species may be located on adjacent private lands. 



Of the target species which were not encountered on 

 Dutchman Mountain, the habitat seems most suitable for 

 Penstemon lemhiensis , which grows in sagebrush habitats 

 nearby. Flowering plants of this species were very scarce in 

 1993 at known populations elsewhere in the Pioneer Mountains 

 and it would have been unlikely to locate unknown populations 

 of vegetative plants. This species, which should be 

 considered sensitive, should be watched for in this vicinity 

 in the future. 



The vegetation of the study area is highly impacted by 

 cattle grazing at lower elevations, especially near the road, 

 in the draws, and around saltlicks, but is in progressively 

 better condition on the rocky slopes and mountain top. 

 Livestock do not, however, seem to impact any known 

 populations of sensitive species here. 



