herbarium at Montana State University (MONT). Duplicate 

 specimens of Delphinium were sent to a specialist in the 

 genus, Michael Warnock (Sam Houston State University, 

 Huntsville, Texas) for determination. Nomenclature used in 

 this report follows Dorn (1984), except as variety treatments 

 or superseding species taxonomic treatments have been 

 identified (Heidel and Poole 1993). 



RESULTS 



A total of 80 taxa of vascular plants were documented in 

 the study area (Appendix B) , including three target species: 

 oval-leaved buckwheat (Eriogonum ovalifolium var. nevadense, 

 Simpson's hedgehog cactus (Pediocactus simpsonii) , and green 

 prince' s-plume (Stanleya viridiflora) , and an undescribed 

 larkspur (Delphinium sp.) which has been identified in the 

 past as two different sensitive species. All four of these 

 were also found on BLM lands in the Tendoy Mountains; 

 descriptions of these plants and information on their 

 geographic distribution, habitat, population biology, and 

 management considerations are detailed in Vanderhorst and 

 Lesica - (1994) . Information specific to their occurrence on 

 Dutchman Mountain follows. An Element Occurrence Record 

 printout for the Delphinium population is provided in Appendix 

 C. Maps showing the populations of these four taxa are 

 included in Appendix D and slides of the plants and their 

 habitats are attached as Appendix E. 



The undescribed Delphinium has been identified in the 

 past as either D. andersonii or D. geyeri but Warnock (pers. 

 commun.) claims that neither of these species occurs in 

 Montana. He plans to name the taxon as a new subspecies of D. 

 bicolor. In the study area the plants grow in fine textured 

 limestone derived soils in sagebrush steppe communities and on 

 rock outcrops. Plants were also seen nearby outside of the 

 study area along the dirt road between Dutchman Mountain and 

 Birch Creek. Near Birch Creek the plants grew in ground 

 occupied by cattle, and the population was flourishing; no 

 herbivory was observed. This taxon does not seem to be 

 adversely affected, and may even be favored by grazing. It is 

 recommended that this taxon be tracked by the Montana Natural 

 Heritage Program at least until its taxonomic status is 

 resolved and its distribution in the state is determined; 

 however, it does not appear to be threatened by current land 

 uses and BLM sensitive status is not appropriate at this time. 



Eriogonum ovalifolium displays a great deal of variation 

 on Dutchman Mountain with morphs ranging in color from pink to 

 cream to bright yellow; yellow forms have been called var. 

 nevadense . Forms combining bright yellow flowers with 

 relatively large obovate leaves were mostly confined to rock 



