POPULATION INFORMATION: There are tliree populations ofTownsendiaflorifer with 

 perhaps fewer than 1 00 total plants documented in Montana. The population in the Ruby Range 

 study area is the largest known in Montana to date with about 50 plants in four diffuse groups. 

 The species was described as rare at the Sage Creek sites with perhaps fewer than 20 plants at one 

 site visited in 1985 and 1995 (Lesica and Vanderhorst 1995). The plants have been found in 

 Montana in early June, and were in early stages of flowering on June 2 at the Ruby Range site. 



MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS: The known distribution of Townsendia Jlorifer in 

 . Montana is restricted to a small area of arid foothills in east Beaverhead County and west 

 Madison County, an area of mostly BLM and private holdings with a long history of use for 

 livestock grazing. There are few populations and low total number of plants documented in the 

 state and these occur in landscape positions accessible to cattle. The plants grow in bare soil and 

 may be adapted to some level of disturbance associated with grazing, but population trends under 

 current management regimes is unknown (Lesica and Vanderhorst 1995). It is possible that the 

 species is more widespread than currently known because it grows at low elevations which are 

 mostly privately owned and thus have not been surveyed for sensitive plants. All known Montana 

 occurrences are on or near BLM lands in the Dillon Resource Area. Cun-ent BLM Watch status 

 remains appropriate. 



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