28 



Melica bulbosa (oniongrass) 

 Poa qlaucifolia (white poa) 

 Trisetum spicatum (spike trisetum) 

 Valeriana dioica (northern valerian) 



2 . TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS : Penstemon whippleanus was found 

 in a partial shaded area within an avalanche chute. 

 The slope was gentle (5%) on a northwest aspect. The 

 soils were moist and were of a silt loam texture. 



F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY AND BIOLOGY 



1. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: Penstemon whippleanus 

 population status is unknown. This is the first 

 element occurrence for the Centennial Valley, so a more 

 intensive survey is warranted. 



G. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY: Penstemon whippleanus is a 

 perennial reproducing by seed. 



H. LAND OWNERSHIP: Penstemon whippleanus was located on BLM 

 land designated as Wilderness Study Area. 



II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 



A. THREATS TO KNOWN POPULATIONS: Penstemon whippleanus 



occurs on the BLM Wilderness Study portion of Centennial 

 Valley, in an area with little or no livestock use. This 

 was a new element occurrence for this area, with no 

 identifiable threats. 



B. FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT NEEDS: Penstemon 



whippleanus has only be recorded in southwestern Montana 

 at one site in the Centennial Mountains. Further survey 

 is needed. 



SUMMARY: Discovery of Penstemon whippleanus in the 

 Centennial Mountains represents a range extension for this 

 species in Montana, and the only recent record in the 

 state. It is recommended for addition to the proposed BLM 

 list as sensitive, and requires further survey. 



