Sensitive Plant Survey Results 



One population each of three plant species with BLM Sensitive or Watch status (USDI BLM 

 1996) were located for the first time in the Ruby Range study area (Figure 3). The three species 

 are tapertip biscuitroot {Lomatium attemiatum), contracted ricegrass (Oryzopsis contracta), and 

 showy townsendia {Townsendia florifer). Each of the three discoveries are also first records for 

 Madison County. Watch status is recommended dropped for Oryzopsis contracta and Sensitive 

 and Watch status are recommended retained, respectively, for Lomatium attenuatum and 

 Townsendia florifer (Table 3). Of these species, two {Oryzopsis contracta, ToMmsendia florifer) 

 are found in low elevation grasslands on colluvial substrate which are restricted to the 

 southeastern most comer of the study area. The third species {Lomatium attenuatum) is on south- 

 facing, limestone scree canyon walls. It is absent from 3/4 of the study area canyons, but its full 

 extent along canyons in the northern half of the east flank has not been evaluated beyond partial 

 documentation of the Laurin Canyon population in July. The species are treated separately in 

 detailed status reviews in the following sections of this report. Element Occurrence Records for 

 the populations and topograpliic maps showing their precise locations are provided in Appendix 

 C. 



Table 3. Recommended status for BLM sensitive and watch plant species in the Ruby Range 

 Study Area. 



""he previously reported occurrence oi Machaeranthera conmixta is based on a misidentified 

 specimen, and the species is not documented elsewhere in Montana. Therefore, it has been 

 recommended for deletion from the BLM watch species list and it has been dropped from 

 tracking as a state species of special concern. The specimen found at MONTU (K.L. 

 Lackschewitz 10291) was originally determined M. canescens. A duplicate sent to NY was 

 determined M. conmixta by A. Cronquist in 1982 and the MONTU specimen was annotated as 

 such. However, in 1986, the specimen at MONTU was annotated by B.L. Turner as M. canescens 

 var. canescens. Machaeranthera canescens is common in the Ruby Range and a population was 

 found near the location given on the specimen label. The plants vaguely resemble M. conmixta in 

 leaf morphology and the site is at an unusually high elevation for M canescens, however. 

 Turner's determination as M. canescens is concurred by the authors of this report. 



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