1988) . Over half of the known individuals are in 

 the Big Belt Mountains of the Helena National 

 Forest. 



For population specifics at all sites of 

 Lesquerella klausii in the Big Belt Mountains of 

 the Helena National Forest, refer to Appendix 5. 



REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY 



a. TYPE OF REPRODUCTION: Lesquerella klausii is 



probably cross-pollinated as are most species 

 in the genus (Rollins and Shaw 1973) . 

 Although self-incompatibility is common in 

 Lesquerella , self-compatibility is present in 

 at least some species. During surveys in 

 1986 and 1987, no evidence of vegetative 

 reproduction was observed. (Adapted from 

 Shelly 1988) . 



b. POLLINATION BIOLOGY: During 1986 and 1987 



field surveys, Lesquerella klausii was 

 visited by various insects including a member 

 of the genus Bombus (bumblebee) . Rollins and 

 Shaw (1973) reported mostly bees and flies 

 repeatedly visiting the flowers of 

 Lesquerella . It is unknown however if these 

 insects are effectual pollinators. 



c. SEED DISPERSAL AND BIOLOGY: The fruits of 



Lesquerella klausii are papery and dry, and 

 the seed are wingless. Thus, there does not 

 appear to be any specific mechanism (such as 

 animal or wind) for long-distance dispersal. 

 Probably most seeds fall near the parent 

 plants, and might be dispersed by 

 precipitation. 



In 1985 and 1986 numerous seedlings were 

 observed at the Hunters Gulch site (see EOR# 

 001, Appendix 5) . This area was burned 

 during the 1984 North Hills fire, and it 

 appears that this may have invigorated the 

 population. Seed germination was enhanced, 

 perhaps due to a reduction in competition 

 and/or the heat of the fire (adapted from 

 Shelly 1988) . 



Aside from this observational data, little is 

 known about the seed biology of this species. 



