by some dealers of native medicinal herbs (Fuller 1991). Historical accounts suggest that 

 species of Cypripedium were once far more plentiful than they are today, and their 

 downfall has been partially attributed to over-collection (Bernhardt 1990). Although 

 collecting was not evident at any of the sites visited in 1995, probably because the wet 

 sites are difficult to access and little visited, collection has been noted at other Montana 

 sites and should be a concern on the KNF. A friend admitted they usually pick a bouquet 

 of yellow lady's slippers every June; they did not realize the plants are rare and may be 

 threatened by this activity. Digging of plants is especially detrimental considering the 

 long time it takes for them to mature. The strict habitat and symbiotic requirements of C 

 calceolus var. parviflorum make it difficult or impossible to propagate, contrary to 

 directions given in the older literature (e. g. Correll 1950). In a survey of catalogs 

 offering native medicinal plants, 15% offered rhizomes of Cypripedium . most often (^ 

 calceolus (Fuller 1990). The resurgence of interest in herbal medicines may increase 

 collection and significantly threaten populations of the species in the future. Collection is 

 a special concern at sites, such as Dickey Lake (001) and Libby Dam (040), which are 

 close to popular recreation areas. The collecting pressures on this species among hobby 

 gardeners and commercial collectors are under review for treating the EOR locations as 

 sensitive, whereupon precise location information is not distributed by MTNHP except as 

 needed by managing agencies and researchers. Input from U.S. Forest Service personnel 

 is solicited. 



2. Management practices and response: Often populations have been protected from 



direct effects of logging by riparian guidelines or lack of marketable timber in the riparian 

 corridor. At Butler Creek (013) and Confluence of the Kootenai and Fisher Rivers (051) 

 populations have been disturbed by logging skid trails where they cross the draws, but at 

 both sites plants have begun to recolonize the disturbances. 



Most of the population areas on the Fortine District are within grazing allotments and the 

 sites which show some degree of use by cattle (Homes Lake Area .028, and Lime Creek 

 .055) support relatively few plants, especially the heavily grazed Lime Creek site. Studies 

 on another species of lady's slipper, Cypripedium candidum . which occupies a rich fen in 

 western New York, show that the invasion and growth of this species began soon after 

 cessation of grazing at the site (Falb and Leopold 1993). An exclosure is recommended 

 at the Lime Creek (055) site to determine the effects of grazing on C. calceolus var. 

 parviflorum : this will need to be set up as a long term project due to the slow 

 development of the orchids from seed. 



Management Summary: Although a few new populations of Cypripedium calceolus 

 var. parviflorum were found on the KNF in 1995, current Montana Natural Heritage 

 Program state rank of S2S3 and Forest Service Sensitive status remain appropriate. Most 

 of the populations on the KNF and in Montana are small and reproductive success may be 

 limited. Many occurrences and much of the Montana range of the taxon is based only on 

 historical collections. Threats to populations are many and are likely to increase as 

 human populations and rural residences increase. 



Revisions in the taxonomy of yellow lady's slippers in Montana will require a reappraisal 

 of state and global ranks. Representative collections are needed to determine which 

 varieties of yellow lady's slippers occur in Montana, however, over collection is a threat 

 to populations. Guidelines for collecting native plants have been established by the 

 Montana Native Plant Society (1993). Widespread and long standing collecting pressures 

 on lady's slipper orchids (Bernhardt 1990, Fuller 1991) are basis for extra caution in 

 collecting these rare plants. Collecting should be limited to taking few above ground 

 stems from large populations and all specimens should be deposited in established 



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