2. Management practices and response: One population of Cypripedium passerinum in 

 the Rocky Mountain Front Range on the Lewis and Clark National Forest was monitored 

 before and after cattle grazed the area in 1988; of 160 stems observed on July 1 1 only 52 

 live stems were relocated on August 4 and others were bitten off or trampled (Shelly 

 1988). 



3. Management summary: Although two new populations of Cypripedium passerinum 

 were discovered in 1995, current Montana Natural Heritage Program state rank of S2 and 

 Forest Service Sensitive status remain appropriate. All populations of C. passerinum 

 seen on the KNF in 1 995 were extremely small and the species is highly vulnerable on the 

 Forest. It is not known if the small population numbers are due to extreme susceptibility 

 to grazing by cattle or browsing by game, or to climatic conditions, or to other causes. 



Since Cypripedium passerinum almost always grows on the KNF with two other 

 Sensitive orchids, C calceolus var. parviflorum and Orchis rotundifolia . preservation of 

 wetlands which host all three species should be a priority for conservation management of 

 the species. Sites with all three orchids are located at Brimstone Creek (025), the Jumbo 

 Lake Basin (021, 022), Laughing Water Creek (024), and Magnesia Fen (026). Although 

 habitat at these sites is currently in near pristine condition, this could change with changes 

 in grazing allotment usage patterns. Cattle should be kept out of these areas. Designation 

 as Research Natural Areas or Botanical Special Interest Areas may be appropriate. 



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