2. State: This species has a state rank of "SI" indicating 

 that it is critically imperiled, based on a total of three 

 records . 



Geographical distribution 



1. Species range: Western 

 North Dakota to Alberta, south 

 to Wyoming and western 

 Nebraska. 



2. Montana distribution: Moss 

 phlox has been documented in 

 Dawson County, and in Carter 

 County in both the Long Pines 

 and Medicine Rocks State Park. 



3 . Occurrence in the study 

 area: This species has only 

 been collected once in the 

 Sioux District at the 

 southeastern end of the Long 

 Pines. Potential habitat in 

 the north end of the Long Pines 

 was not adequately surveyed. 

 It was not found in the South 

 Dakota units, but there is 

 potential habitat in the Cave 

 Hills. 



1064. PA/iuuni/i'iv/aNull. 



D. 



Habitat 



1. Associated Vegetation: The species occurs on a sandy 

 hillside with scattered Pinus ponderosa and Rhus trilobata . 

 A few plants extend into adjacent mixed-grass prairie in open 

 areas, e.g. along a 2-track trail. Associated species include: 



Agropyron smithii 

 Artemisia frigida 

 A. ludoviciana 

 Bouteloua gracilis 

 Poa pratensis 

 P. sandbergii 

 Psoralea argophylla 

 Pinus ponderosa 

 Rhus trilobata 

 Viola sp. 

 Cerastium arvense 

 Fritillaria atropurpurea 

 Stipa comata 

 Calamovilfa longifolia 

 Koeleria cristata 



42 



