aborted, a further indication that the species may be better adapted to a dryer, warmer, more 

 southerly climate. Never the less, there remains potential for the species on the KNF, efforts to 

 locate it should continue, and it should remain a search target for routine project clearances. 

 Prior to 1991, just four years ago, Cypripedium fasciculatum was not known from the Lolo 

 National Forest, but now it is known there in greater concentration than anywhere else in the 

 state (Elliman and Dalton 1995). Kootenai National Forest botanists, especially those on the 

 Cabinet District, are encouraged to visit the sites on the Lolo; Element Occurrence Records for 

 two relatively easy sites to relocate are included at the end of Appendix A. Photographic slides 

 of flowering plants of C_ fasciculatum are included in Appendix C. 



At present, the Kootenai National Forest, especially the Fortine District, hosts a relatively high 

 density of Sensitive orchid occurrences, but these are restricted to small areas of specialized 

 habitat. Many sites host three Sensitive orchids ( Cypripedium calceolus var. parviflorum . C^ 

 passerinum . and Amerorchis rotundifolia ). some with large numbers in pristine habitat settings. 

 They include some of the largest known populations of Cypripedium calceolus var. parviflorum 

 in the state, and populations of both species are geographically significant. But these populations 

 may be threatened in the future by changing, likely increasing, pressures, including the direct and 

 indirect effects of road building, cattle grazing, logging, and collection. Protecting these 

 significant occurrences and unique habitats from these complex and interrelated threats will 

 require a carefully planned conservation strategy. 



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