D. POPULATION BIOLOGY 



Estimated numbers for the 5 populations range from less than 

 50 to over 1,000 plants. Three of the populations are of 

 intermediate size, between 100 and 500 individuals. The 

 plants were flowering and fruiting when populations were 

 visited in June and July. 



E. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS 



This species is fairly widespread in southwestern Montana, and 

 has a broad distribution outside of the state. Although its 

 habitat is limited and often heavily used by cattle, the 

 species may not be impacted by grazing due to its prostrate 

 habitat. For these reasons, A. argophyllus should be dropped 

 from further BLM consideration and from state tracking. 



Astragalus lentiginosus Dougl. ex Hook. 

 Freckled milkvetch 



A. DESCRIPTION 



1. General description: See the genus description (page 9). 



A. lentiginosus is a variable species most easily recognized 

 in Montana by its inflated two chambered pod with a flattened 

 beak. The species as a whole consists of numerous varieties, 

 but var. salinus (Howell) Barneby is the only one in Montana 

 (Barneby 1989) . 



2. Diagnostic characters: The following combination of 

 characters can be used to distinguish A. lentiginosus from 

 other Astragalus in Montana (adapted from Dorn 1984): 



leaflets more than 5, not awl shaped 

 hairs attached at base 



stipules not united on side of stem opposite petiole 

 flowers exceeded by the leaves 

 banner > 15 mm, calyx 5-8.5 mm 

 ovaries pubescent 



pods bilocular, without a stipe, glabrous, inflated, with 

 a tapered laterally compressed beak 



B. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION 



1. Species range: A. lentiginosus var. salinus has a broad 

 distribution from central Oregon and northeast California to 

 southwestern Montana and Utah (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973) . 



2. Montana distribution: Previously known from five sites in 

 Beaverhead County. 



3. Occurrences in the study area: Five populations were 

 documented from the northern Tendoy foothills and in the lower 



