o n ta n a F ie ld G u id e - | Ruby Valley Conservation District

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The Montana Field Guide is a collaborative effort between the Montana Natural Heritage Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The Montana Natural Heritage Program is a program of the Montana State Library's Natural Resource Information System. It is operated as a special program under the Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Scholarship at the University of Montana, Missoula.

The Montana Natural Heritage Program is part of NatureServe – a network of over 80 similar programs in states, provinces and nations throughout the Western Hemisphere, bringing to Montana the "big picture" information on the true status of species and habitats.

Note: This PDF version of the Montana Field Guide is intended to assist in offline identification and field work. It is not intended to replace the online Field Guide, as that version contains more information and is updated daily. For the most up-to-date information on Montana species, please visit FieldGuide.mt.gov

Offline Field Guide

1515 East 6th AvenueHelena, MT 59620

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found inConservation District: Ruby ValleyConservation District

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Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: S5

Agency StatusUSFWS:USFS:BLM:MNPS Threat Rank:C-value: 4

# Observations: 6836

General DescriptionGenerally a small tree up to ca. 30 m tall with a narrow crown. Bark gray but splitting to reveal a brownishlayer beneath. Leaves 1–3 cm long, turned upward, blunt-tipped except on cone-bearing branches. Stomates onboth surfaces. Seed cones deep blue, 3–8 cm long. (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist forests; montane to treeline (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Subalpine FirAbies lasiocarpa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PGPIN01070




General DescriptionStems ascending to erect, simple, 6–60 cm. Herbage sparsely- to tangled-wooly. Leaves basal and cauline,petiolate below; blades narrowly oblanceolate, 1–15 cm long, finely, 3 times pinnately dissected; ultimatelobes 1–2 × 1 mm. Inflorescence hemispheric 2–15 cm across with numerous heads. Involucre 3–5 × 2–4 mm;bracts in 3 series; outer bracts green with brown, fimbriate margins, sparsely glandular. Rays 5 to 12, white(rarely pink); ligules 2–3 mm long, not quite as wide. Disk flowers white,10 to 30; corolla 2–5 mm long.Achenes glabrous, 1–2 mm long, obscurely winged (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, sagebrush steppe, open forest, talus, fellfields; all elevations (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Common YarrowAchillea millefolium

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST03030

Noxious Weed: Priority2BNon-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: SNA


# Observations: 7951General Description

PLANTS: Rhizomatous perennials that grow in terrestrial habitats (FNA2006; Lesica et al. 2012). Stems are erect, branched, and grow about23-100 cm tall. Plants are somewhat cobwebby-tomentose and resin-gland-dotted.

LEAVES: Leaves of the rosette (basal) and lower stem are often absentby maturity (FNA 2006; Lesica et al. 2012). Stem leaves are oblong, 3-10(15) cm long, becoming sessile and smaller upwards. Leaf marginsare entire to pinnately lobed.

INFLORESCENCE: Paniculiform or corymbiform. Flower heads are solitary on the ends of leafy branches (Jacobs2007b). Involucres are broadly ovoid, 9–13 mm high, and somewhat cobwebby (FNA 2006; Lesica et al. 2012).Involucral bracts (phyllaries) are broadly ovate, green or tan below, scarious above, and sharp-pointed. Thereceptacle is flat with fine scales.

HabitatGrasslands, roadsides, meadows, fields, and most often on stream terraces; plains, valleys (Lesica et al.2012). It invades open, disturbed land, particularly where dry (Sheley and Petroff 1999).

ManagementSuccessful management of Russian knapweed targets its extensive root system because it poorly reproducesby seed (Jacobs and Denny 2007). Developing land-use objectives, a desired plant community, and anintegrated weed management strategy will make control of Russian knapweed possible (Sheley and Petroff1999).

BIOCONTOL [Adapted from Jacobs and Denny 2007]Biological control has been limited and is not effective since Russian knapweed poorly develops and dispersesby seed. The Russian Knapweed Stem-gall Nematode (Subanguina picridis) has been introduced andestablished with limited success.

CHEMICAL CONTROL [Adapted from Jacobs and Denny 2007]Herbicides are effective when properly managed with other tactics. Herbicides that translocate the chemicaldirectly to the roots will be most cost-effective. Surfactants improve the uptake of each chemical listed below.The herbicide type and concentration, timing of chemical control, soil properties, and other factors willdetermine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species. Strict adherence to application requirementsdefined on the herbicide label will reduce risks to human and environmental health. Many herbicides must beapplied by applicators with an Aquatic Pest Control license. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or WeedDistrict for more information on herbicidal control.

Russian KnapweedAcroptilon repens

Range Non-native

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTD2010

Picloram (0.50 pound per acre) applied to the bloom stage has been shown to provide long-term suppression inMontana.

Aminopyralid, clopyralid, and imazapic have also suppressed Russian knapweed when applied during the stagesfrom flower bud to mid-flowering or during fall re-growth; and could be used where Picloram cannot. In FergusCounty, clopyralid plus 2,4,-D applied to the bloom stage reduced the density of plants. Further, itaccompanied an increase in perennial grasses.

Chlorsulfuron applied in the bloom to post-bloom stage may provide short-term control.

CULTURAL and GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs and Denny 2007]Hand-pulling is not a practical control method because of its deep, rhizomatous growth.

Mowing is not very effective at reducing plant density. It may suppress growth initially, but later stimulatesregeneration. It might be useful in combination with a herbicide treatment.

Burning can reduce plant biomass, but is not effective at preventing growth, germination, or flowering.

Grazing. There is little information available. Horses that have grazed Russian knapweed for an extendedperiod developed equine chewing disease (Nigropallidal encephalomalacia) which is a fatal neurodegenerativedisorder (Jacobs and Denny 2007). Russian Knapweed plants have proteins levels similar to alfalfa hay but aretoo bitter for livestock to eat (Sheley and Petroff 1999).

Revegetation. Grasses used for long-term control must have the following characteristics: a) adapted to thesoil and climate, b) easy to establish, c) competitive with weeds, d) palatable and nutritive, particularly forlate-season use, e) dry matter productivity, and f) stand longevity (Sheley and Petroff 1999). Although Russianknapweed is allelopathic, control through plant competition should be exploited (Sheley and Petroff 1999).Studies have found that monocultures of W inter Rye (Secale cereal) or Wheat (Triticum aestivum) reducedRussian Knapweed (Sheley and Petroff 1999). Other research found that Russian Knapweed and Smooth Brome(Bromus inermis) competed for limited resources while Russian Knapweed and Western Wheatgrass (Elymussmithii) did not compete (Sheley and Petroff 1999).

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: S4S5


# Observations: 942

General DescriptionPerennial 8–50 cm. Leaves linear to oblanceolate, 3–35 cm long, entire or with 1 to 3 pairs of shallow lobes.Herbage glabrous to sparsely villous. Involucre 1–2 cm long; phyllaries linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, in 2 to 3indistinct series, green, glabrous to villous, sometimes glandular, often darkened along the midvein. Raysyellow; ligules 6–22 mm long. Pappus 8–18 mm long. Achene body 4–9 mm long; beak 0.5–3 mm long (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety glauca or variety dasycephala (Torr.& A.Gray) Jeps.

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, sagebrush steppe, turf; all elevations (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).)

Pale AgoserisAgoseris glauca

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST090G0

Potential Species ofConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4QState Rank: S3S4


# Observations: 101

General DescriptionPink Agoseris is a taprooted perennial with milky sap. Glabrous leaves are clustered at the base, and there are1 to several leafless stems, 10-60 cm tall, arising from the center; leaves taper gradually to a long petiole, arenarrowly lance-shaped, 5-25 cm long, and 10-25 cm wide. Flower heads resemble those of the commondandelion; they are solitary at the ends of the stems and composed entirely of deep pink to light purple rayflowers, ca. 15-20 mm long. Involucral bracts are narrowly lance-shaped, 10-15 mm long, villous, with non-glandular hairs, purple-striped, mottled, and obtuse-tipped. Fruits (achenes) have beaks 1/2 to 2/3 the lengthof their bodies. Fruits also resemble those of the dandelion; they are spindle-shaped, and the top tapers to aslender beak to which numerous, long, white bristles are attached.

HabitatSubalpine wet meadows where soil is saturated throughout the growing season.

Pink AgoserisAgoseris lackschewitzii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST090C0

Non-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SNA


# Observations: 298

General DescriptionStems mostly 30–80 cm. Leaves: blades 2–9 mm wide, often open butbecoming inrolled upon drying, leaf sheaths and collar hairless.Inflorescence 2.5–7(–11) cm long, rachis continuous, the internodes0.5–2.5(–5) mm long. Spikelets 6–11(–16) mm long, widely divergent from the main rachis; florets mostly 2 to8 per spikelet, glumes shorter than florets, narrow and tapering to an awn-tip. Lemmas hairless, awn-tipped orwith awns to 5 mm long. (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatOpen dry sites at middle to low elevations (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Crested WheatgrassAgropyron cristatum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA030M0

Non-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4G5State Rank: SNA


# Observations: 123

General DescriptionPerennials from rhizomes up to 25 cm long; stems 20-120 cm, sometimes rooting at lower nodes. Ligulesbecoming longer towards apex (1-4.5 mm for lower nodes, to 7 mm long on upper nodes) dorsal surfacesometimes scabrous. Leaf blades 4-10 cm long, 3-8 mm wide and flat. Panicles up to 25(-30) cm long but lessthan half the culm, up to 15 cm wide; branches scabrous, spreading during flowering, usually with somebranches bearing spikelets to their base. Glumes 1.7-3.2 mm, 1-veined, acute to apiculate, more or scabrouson the upper part of the midvein; callus hairs to 0.5 mm but sparse; lemmas 1.5-2.2 mm, 3-5 veined (veinsusually obscure but sometimes prominent, especially distally) and sometimes excurrent to 0.2 mm, rarely withan awnof up to 1.5(-3) mm; paleas 0.7-1.4 mm long and about half the length of lemmas; anthers 3, 1-1.4 mmlong. Caryopses 1-1.5 mm long (adapted from: Harvey, 2007, in Flora of N. America, Vol. 24).

Lavin and Seibert (2011, Grasses of Montana) include this species in synonymy of Agrostis stolonifera, basedon the weakness of morphological characters in our area to convincingly differentiate them. Harvey (op. cit.)indicates that A. gigantea can be separated by having rhizomes and a more open panicle than A. stolonifera

HabitatFields, roadsides, ditches, and other disturbed habitats, mostly at lower elevations (Harvey, 2007: Flora of N.America, Vol. 24).

RedtopAgrostis gigantea

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA040H0



# Observations: 291

General DescriptionPerennial bunchgrass. Stems 20–70 cm. Leaves: blades 1–2 mm wide, scabrous, ligules 1–5 mm long.Inflorescence an open diffuse panicle 1–3 dm long. Spikelets 2–2.2 mm long. Lemmas about 1.5–2 mm long,awnless or with an awn up to 4 mm long; palea minute or absent (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen moderately disturbed sites including roadsides at all elevations (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rough BentgrassAgrostis scabra

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA04120



# Observations: 339

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial or stoloniferous sod grass often forming densemats or patches. Stems decumbent at base, 20–120 cm. Leaves: blades2–6 mm wide, ligules 2–7 mm long. Inflorescence a mostly diffuse panicle 5–30 cm long, sometimescontracting after anthesis. Spikelets 2–2.5 mm long (up to 10 mm long if infected). Lemmas 2–2.2 mm long,awnless or rarely minutely awned from the back; palea up to two-thirds as long as lemma. [This descriptionincludes Agrostis gigantea as a synonym] (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX)

HabitatWet meadows, stream sides, roadsides, pastures, and lawns from low to middle elevations (Lavin in Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Creeping BentgrassAgrostis stolonifera

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Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4G5T4State Rank: S3

Agency StatusUSFWS:USFS:BLM:MNPS Threat Rank:C-value:

# Observations: 13

General DescriptionBulbs: Ovoid to narrowly so, usually in groups (Lesica 2012). Inner coats whitish, outer coats fibrous andnetlike surrounding one or more bulbs (Hitchcock et al. 1969).

Leaves: Linear and grass-like (Lesica 2012), mostly shorter than scape (Cronquist et al. 1977), 2 or 3 with eachscape, 1-3 mm across and channeled (Lesica 2012), concave to convex in X-S, persistent (Hitchcock et al.1969).

Inflorescence: Scapes about 10 – 50 cm long (Lesica 2012), circular or slightly angled in X-S (Hitchcock et al.1969). Umbel a half sphere with about 10 – 25 (or more) flowers. Bracts 2 or 3 (Lesica 2012), mostly separate,ovate or lanceolate with protracted point (Cronquist et al. 1977), mostly 1-nerved (Hitchcock et al. 1969).Pedicels subequal (Cronquist et al. 1977), 5-12 mm in length (Lesica 2012), usually less than twice theperianth length, becoming inflexible and spreading in fruit (Hitchcock et al. 1969).

(P. Lesica's contribution adapted from Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX.)

HabitatMoist, open slopes, meadows, or stream banks in mountains; 200--4000 m (FNA 2002). For Montana: Valleysand grasslands that are moist in spring in Flathead County (Lesica 2012).


Geyer's OnionAllium geyeri var. geyeri

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMLIL02101



# Observations: 68

General DescriptionBulbs lanceoloid, clustered on a short rhizome; outer coat membranouswith persistent parallel veins. Scapes terete, hollow, 15–70 cm. Leaves2 to 5, terete, hollow, 1–7 mm wide, persistent. Umbel congested with15 to 50 flowers; pedicels 2–10 mm long; bracts 2, ovate tosuborbicular, apiculate. Flowers pink to rose; tepals 8–12 mm long; ovary crestless; stamens included. Seedsurface minutely roughened (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet meadows, especially along streams, lakes; valleys to lower alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

ChivesAllium schoenoprasum

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# Observations: 407

General DescriptionBulbs ovoid, usually clustered; outer coat fibrous, net-like. Scapes terete, 5–25 cm. Leaves 2, channeled, 1–2mm wide, barely persistent. Umbel hemispheric with 10 to 30 flowers; pedicels 5–20 mm long; bracts 3, ovate,acuminate. Flowers: tepals white sometimes tinged with pink with brown to pink midveins, 6–7 mm long; ovarywith 6 crests adjacent to the style; stamens included. Seed surface smooth (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, sagebrush steppe; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

White Wild OnionAllium textile

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMLIL022B0

Non-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: SNA


# Observations: 103

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems 1–2 m tall, 1-several from nodes of rhizomes. Leaves: blades 6–14 mm wide,ligule 2–5 mm long. Inflorescence a cylindrical panicle 4–10 cm long, 7–10 mm in diameter. Spikelets 4–5.5 mmlong; glumes silky mostly from along marginal and midrib veins. Lemmas with awn from base but extendingonly to tip of lemma and rarely beyond (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatHay meadows, along ditches, alkaline seeps, and wet meadow at low to middle elevations (Lavin in Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX). blank)

Creeping FoxtailAlopecurus arundinaceus

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No photos are currently available

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SNR


# Observations: 23

General DescriptionAnnual (and winter annual) bunchgrass. Stems 10–30 cm. Leaves:blades 2–4 mm wide. Inflorescence a cylindrical panicle 1–3 cm long, <5mm in diameter. Spikelets 2.5–3 mm long; glumes silky along the keeland marginal veins. Lemmas with an awn from the base and extending2–3 mm past tip of lemma (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist disturbed areas, wet meadows and seep areas at low to moderateelevations (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Tufted FoxtailAlopecurus carolinianus

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# Observations: 91

General DescriptionPerennial bunchgrass. Stems 30–100 cm. Leaves: blades 3–8 mm wide. Inflorescence a cylindrical panicle 3.5–8cm long, 5–10 mm in diameter. Spikelets 5–6 mm long; glumes silky along the keel and marginal veins.Lemmas awned from near the base, awn extending 3–4 mm beyond lemma tip (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDisturbed moist sites like roadsides and often in seasonally inundated settings (e.g., margins of reservoirs)(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Meadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensis

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# Observations: 40

General DescriptionStems erect, 30–80 cm. Herbage glabrous. Leaves once-pinnate tosubbipinnate; leaflets lanceolate, 2–8 cm long, serrate; only the lowestsometimes lobed. Umbels: rays unequal, 1–6 cm long; involucre andinvolucel absent. Flowers white to pink; petals ca. 1 mm long. Mericarpsglabrous, elliptic, 3–5 mm long; lateral ribs broadly winged; dorsal ribsbarely winged (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatThickets, meadows, often along streams; montane, lower subalpine(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Small-leaf AngelicaAngelica pinnata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAPI070H0



# Observations: 5

General DescriptionStems ascending to erect, 15–80 cm. Herbage scabrous. Leaves bipinnate; leaflets lanceolate to ovate, 1–4 cmlong, sharply serrate, veiny. Umbels: rays unequal, 1–8 cm long; involucre absent; involucel bracts linear, 2–9mm long or absent. Flowers white to pink; petals barely 1 mm long. Mericarps scabrous, elliptic, 4–6 mm long;ribs thick, winged, the lateral barely wider than the dorsal (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatNon-calcareous, talus slopes and rocky soil of meadows, open forest; subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rock AngelicaAngelica roseana

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAPI070J0



# Observations: 310

General DescriptionStoloniferous, mat-forming. Stems erect, 4–35 cm. Basal leaves oblong to linear-oblanceolate, 5–25 mm long,1-nerved. Stem leaves linear, 3–30 mm long. Inflorescence corymbiform with 3 to 20 heads; male plants rare.Involucre 4–7 mm high. Phyllaries white, pink, green, or brown. Corolla 3–5 mm long. Pappus 3–6 mm long.Achenes 1–2 mm long, glabrous or papillose (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, sagebrush steppe, open forest, fellfields, outcrops at all elevations (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rosy PussytoesAntennaria rosea

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST0H0X0

Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SU


# Observations: 22

General DescriptionStems 20–60 cm. Leaves sparsely hairy; blades twice ternate; ultimatesegments 1–4 cm long. Flowers few, nodding; sepals yellowish blue,10–15 mm long; petals white with a pale blue, hooked spur ca. 5 mmlong. Fruit 15–25 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows, open forest; montane, lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Colorado ColumbineAquilegia coerulea

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDRAN05030

Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: S3


# Observations: 26

General DescriptionSitka Columbine is an herbaceous perennial with stems 1-6 dm high that arise from a simple or branchedrootcrown. The basal leaves have long petioles and are twice divided into threes; the ultimate wedge-shapedsegments are lobed and 1-5 cm long. The few, alternate stem leaves are smaller and less divided. Foliage isglabrous to sparsely hairy with a thin, waxy coating on the undersides of the leaves. One to several stalked,nodding flowers are borne at the top of the stem. Each flower has 5 red, spreading sepals and 5 red to yellow,horn-shaped petals with a 2-5 mm long blade and a 10-15 mm straight spur. Stamens are numerous stamens;fruit a capsule, ca. w cm long, erect, bell-shaped, 5-chambered.

HabitatMoist soil of open coniferous, cottonwood, or aspen forests in the montane to subalpine zone.

Sitka ColumbineAquilegia formosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDRAN050B0



# Observations: 151

General DescriptionStems erect, branched, 30–120 cm. Leaves with hollow petioles; blades5–20 cm long, glandular, sparsely tomentose beneath, becoming glabrate. Inflorescence racemose, heads onpeduncles 5–20 mm long. Involucre 15–30 mm wide, glabrate to loosely tomentose. Disk flowers ca. 30; corollapink to purple, 7–12 mm long. Pappus 1–4 mm long. Achenes 4–6 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDisturbed areas.

ManagementContact information for local county Weed District Coordinators can be found on the Montana Weed ControlAssociation Contacts Webpage.

Useful Links:Montana Biological Weed Control Coordination ProjectMontana Department of Agriculture - Noxious WeedsMontana Weed Control AssociationMontana Fish, W ildlife, and Parks - Noxious WeedsMontana State University Integrated Pest Management ExtensionIntegrated Noxious Weed Management after W ildfires

Common BurdockArctium minus

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST0M020

https://www.mtweed.org/weeds/weed-districts

http://www.mtbiocontrol.org

http://agr.mt.gov/Weeds

http://mtweed.org

http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/habitat/noxiousWeeds

http://ipm.montana.edu

http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/EB0160.pdf



# Observations: 956

General DescriptionPerennial from a branched caudex, forming loose mats. Stems erect,simple, 5–30 cm. Leaves filiform, flexuous or rigid, glabrous, 2–8 cmlong, shorter above. Inflorescence many-flowered, congested tosometimes open, glabrous. Flowers: sepals glabrous, ovate tolanceolate, scarious-margined, 3–6 mm long; petals oblong, 5–8 mm long. Capsules glabrous, 3–6 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Many treatments now put this species in the genus Eremogone. We have varieties congesta, cephaloidea(Rydb.) Maguire, and lithophila (Rydb.) Dorn.

HabitatSteppe, meadows, open forest (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Capitate SandwortArenaria congesta

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCAR04050



# Observations: 246

General DescriptionStoloniferous, stemless with a growth form similar to strawberry. Leavesbasal, arising singly or in tufts from stolon nodes. Leaf blades oblong,5–20 cm long, divided into 15 to 25 oblanceolate, dentate leaflets,glabrous to sparsely hairy above, white-tomentose beneath. Inflorescence of solitary flowers on long, sericeouspeduncles. Flowers: sepals spreading, 2–5 mm long; bracteoles as long or longer; petals yellow, 5–9 mm long.Achenes lightly wrinkled, ca. 2 mm long; styles attached laterally (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are subspecies anserina.

HabitatWet or vernally wet meadows, margins of streams, ponds, wetlands; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).)

Silverweed cinquefoilArgentina anserina

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS22010




General DescriptionStems solitary or clustered, ascending to erect, 10–50 cm. Herbage villous, glandular-puberulent. Leaves: basallong-petiolate on separate shoots; blades cordate, ovate, dentate, 4–12 cm long; cauline 2 to 4 pairs,petiolate smaller and less cordate upward. Heads 1 to 3; involucre villous, glandular, campanulate, 13–20 mmhigh. Rays 10 to 15; ligules 1–3 cm long. Pappus short-barbed, white. Achenes hirsute, 5–10 mm long, oftenglandular (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDry to moist forest; valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Heart-leaved ArnicaArnica cordifolia

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST0Q060



# Observations: 33

General DescriptionStems solitary or clustered, erect, 20–70 cm. Herbage glandular-puberulent. Leaves cauline, sessile, 5 to 7 pairs, entire, narrowlylanceolate, 5–15 cm long. Heads 3 to 12; narrowly campanulate, 7–10mm high, glandular-puberulent. Rays 8 to 13; ligules 8–17 mm long. Pappus short-barbed, tan to brown.Achenes 3–7 mm long, glandular-puberulent (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatVery stony soil of meadows, talus slopes, often along streams; subalpine, alpine, rarely lower (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Long-leaf ArnicaArnica longifolia

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST0Q0E0



# Observations: 94

General DescriptionStems solitary or clustered, erect, 15–60 cm. Herbage glandular,puberulent to villous. Leaves: basal petiolate, sometimes on separateshoots; blades oblong to elliptic, denticulate, 3–12 cm long; cauline 3to 4 pairs, sessile above. Heads 1 to 3; involucre hemispheric, 1–2 cm high, glandular-pubescent. Rays 12 to18; ligules 1–2 cm long. Pappus subplumose, tawny. Achenes glandular-pubescent, 4–8 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist to wet meadows, open forest, often along streams; subalpine, rarely lower (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Hairy ArnicaArnica mollis

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Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T4State Rank: S3S4


# Observations: 21

General DescriptionPLANTS: Aromatic shrubs of 10–40 cm height (Lesica 2012) that sproutfrom roots (FNA 2006). Stems are gray-green to brown, brittle, andglabrate (FNA 2006). Plants are glabrate to tomentose, and sometimeswith obscure resin dots beneath the tomentum (FNA 2006; Lesica 2012).

LEAVES: Aromatic, gray-green, wedge-shaped (cuneate), 5–25 mm long, and tipped with 3 lobes (FNA 2006).Upper leaves are densely hairy (not sticky) (FNA 2006). Leaves on flowering stems are deciduous while thoseon non-flowering stems are persistent (FNA 2006).

INFLORESCENCE: Spiciform with linear bracts (Lesica 2012).

In Montana we have subspecies arbuscula and longiloba (refer to Habitat, Phenology & DiagnosticCharacteristics).

HabitatSubspecies arbuscula plants are found in rocky sedimentary soils in high valleys and mountain slopes atelevations from 1500 to 3800 meters (FNA 2006). In Montana plants occur on stony calcareous soil (Lesica2012).

Subspecies longiloba plants are found on clay soils of alkaline basins and valleys, occasionally on outwashplains of mountains, at elevations from 1500 to 2500 meters (FNA 2006). In Montana plants occur on fine-textured soil of stream terraces (Lesica 2012).

Alkali SagebrushArtemisia arbuscula ssp. longiloba

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General DescriptionSubshrub from a branched caudex forming mats with short, sterile stemsand clustered leaves. Stems ascending or erect, often branched, 10–60cm, woody at the base. Herbage tomentose to canescent, aromatic.Leaves basal and cauline, petiolate; basal blades oblong, 5–12 mmlong, 2 to 3 times divided into linear segments, ca. 1 mm wide; caulinealternate, similar with dissected stipules. Inflorescence narrow leafy-paniculate or -racemose; bracts lobed.Involucre hemispheric, 2–3 mm high; phyllaries green to whitish, tomentose; receptacle hirsute. Disk flowers30 to 70, perfect and female, glandular; corolla ca. 1.5 mm long; yellow. Achenes glabrous, ca. 1 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, sagebrush steppe, coniferous woodlands; plains, valleys, montane, rarely higher (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Fringed SageArtemisia frigida

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Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T3T5State Rank: SNR


# Observations: 97

General DescriptionInformation on this species is incomplete.

HabitatInformation on this species is incomplete.

White SagebrushArtemisia ludoviciana ssp. incompta

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Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4G5State Rank: S4


# Observations: 97

General DescriptionPLANTS: Gray-green herbaceous perennials that grow from a branchedcaudex (Lesica et al. 2006). Stems ascending to erect, 5–20 cm. Plantsare mildly-aromatic (FNA 2006) and strigose to canescent.

LEAVES: Basal and cauline blades are petiolate, 1–3 cm mm long, ovate, twice pinnately lobed into linear-oblanceolate segments; cauline blades are few and reduced in size (Lesica et al. 2006).

INFLORESCENCE: Spiciform to racemose with lobed bracts (Lesica et al. 2012). 5-22 heads in spiciform arrays,5-9 cm by 1-1.5 cm (FNA 2006).

HabitatStony, non-calcareous soil of turf, and fellfields in the alpine (Lesica et al. 2012). At elevations from 3,100 to4,200 meters (FNA 2006).

Alpine SagebrushArtemisia scopulorum

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General DescriptionShrubs 30–250 cm high, not sprouting following fire. Herbage densely tomentose, aromatic. Leaves cuneate tooblong, 1–4 cm long, 3-lobed distally. Inflorescence paniculate, inconspicuously linear-bracteate. Involucreturbinate, 2.5–4 mm high; outer phyllaries green, tomentose; the inner tan; receptacle glabrous. Disk flowersperfect, 3 to 8, glandular; corolla 1.5–2 mm long. Achenes glandular, sometimes villous, ca. 1 mm long (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

We have subspecies tridentata, wyomingensis Beetle & A.M. Young, vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle, and (accordingto Lesica [2012]) spiciformis (Osterh.) Kartesz & Gandhi.

HabitatUsually deep soils of sagebrush steppe, steep open slopes; plains, valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Big SagebrushArtemisia tridentata

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Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T4T5State Rank: S4S5


# Observations: 342



Mountain Big SagebrushArtemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana

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# Observations: 147

General DescriptionCaespitose perennial. Herbage sparsely to densely strigose with dolabriform hairs. Stems 15–40 cm from abranched caudex. Leaves with 9 to 21 narrowly elliptic leaflets, 1–2 cm long; stipules lanceolate, united aroundthe stem at the base. Inflorescence spike-like with 15 to 80 erect to ascending flowers. Flowers purple; sepals1–4 mm long; calyx white and black dolabriform-hairy; banner barely reflexed, 11–16 mm long; keel 8–13 mmlong. Legume sessile, erect, 6–12 mm long, linear-ovoid with appressed, basifixed, white hairs, grooved on 1side.

Montana plants are variety robustior Hook. (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatOften stony soil of grasslands, steppe, open forest; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rattle MilkvetchAstragalus adsurgens

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Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: S3?


# Observations: 32

General DescriptionNearly acaulescent, often mat-forming perennial from a branched,woody caudex. Herbage densely silvery-strigose. Leaves with 7 to 21narrowly oblong to elliptic leaflets, 5–15 mm long. Inflorescence of 2–8ascending flowers on a peduncle 1–5 cm long. Flowers purple; sepals 2–4 mm long; calyx black- and white-hairy; banner slightly reflexed, 15–24mm long; keel 12–20 mm long. Legume ascending, narrowly ovoid with a flattened beak, silvery pilose, 15–20mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety argophyllus.

HabitatSparsely vegetated soil of moist, alkaline meadows, streambanks; montane, lower subalpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Silver-leaved MilkvetchAstragalus argophyllus

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# Observations: 10

General DescriptionHerbaceous perennial. Herbage densely to sparsely villous. Stems 6–40cm, spreading or ascending from a branched caudex. Leaves short-petiolate with 7 to 15 narrowly lanceolate to elliptic leaflets 5–25 mmlong; lower stipules ovate and united opposite the petiole, becominglance-attenuate and distinct above. Inflorescence with 5 to 25 spreading to declined flowers. Flowers white;calyx black-strigillose; sepals 2–3 mm long; banner upturned, 7–10 mm long; keel 5–8 mm long, purple-tipped.Legume crescent-shaped, laterally compressed, 1–2 cm long, glabrous, nodding with a stipe 2–8 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety glabriusculus (Hook.) Isley.

HabitatSparsely vegetated, stony soil of grasslands, fellfields, exposed slopes; plains, valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Indian MilkvetchAstragalus australis

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# Observations: 20

General DescriptionMat-forming perennial from an intricately branched caudex. Herbage strigillose to villous. Stems basallyprostrate; ascending portion 1–3 cm. Leaves with 3 to 7 narrowly lanceolate leaflets 3–9 mm long withmucronate tips; terminal leaflet confluent with the rachis; stipules 2–5 mm long, basally connate.Inflorescence of 1 to 3 flowers, shorter than the leaves. Flowers purple to white; calyx white- and/or black-strigillose; sepals 1–3 mm long; banner reflexed, 4–8 mm long; keel 3–7 mm long. Legume ovoid, 3–5 mmlong, compressed, strigose(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are varieties kentrophyta and tegetarius (Wats.) Dorn.

HabitatStony or gravelly, sparsely vegetated soil of grasslands, steppe, fellfields; plains, valleys to alpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Spiny MilkvetchAstragalus kentrophyta

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# Observations: 508

General DescriptionPerennial with a branched caudex. Herbage glabrate to strigose or villous with dolabriform hairs. Stems 5–30cm, prostrate to ascending. Leaves with 9 to 17 linear to ovate leaflets, 5–25 mm long with rounded to acutetips; stipules lanceolate, 2–4 mm long, basallay connate. Inflorescence barely longer than the leaves, openwith 5 to 10 spreading flowers. Flowers white to purple; calyx black- and or white-strigose; sepals ca. 1 mmlong; banner 8–12 mm long, reflexed; keel 6–10 mm long, often purple-tipped. Legume pendent, glabrous towhite-strigillose, 15–30 mm long flattened, linear (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Six varieties occur in Montana: var. miser, var. crispatus (M.E. Jones) Cronq., var. decumbens (Nutt. ex Torr. &A. Gray) Cronq., var. hylophilus (Rydb.) Barneby, var. praeteritus Barneby, and var. serotinus (A. Gray exCooper) Barneby.

HabitatGrasslands, sagebrush steppe, open forest; valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Timber MilkvetchAstragalus miser

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# Observations: 50

General DescriptionBroad-keeled milkvetch is a small perennial herb without prolonged stems; all leaves are clustered at the baseof the plant on short branches of the rootcrown clothed with old leaf stalks. Pinnately compound leaves, 1-9 cmlong, have 7-15 oblong to elliptic, often blunt-tipped leaflets. Foliage is sparsely covered with gray or silverhairs. Spreading flower stalks arise from amongst the leaves and bear 3-9 flowers near the tip. Whitish, pea-like flowers are 6-9 mm long with an upper petal that is barely reflexed and nearly the same length as theothers. The calyx is 3-5 mm long and sparsely covered with white or black hairs. Inflated, egg-shaped fruits arepapery, purple-mottled, and 15-33 mm (ca. 1 in) long. Fruits that resemble small Chinese lanterns are usuallyfound on the ground near the base of the plant.

HabitatLimestone- or crystalline-derived soils in open grasslands and sagebrush steppe in the valleys and montanezone.

Broad-keeled MilkvetchAstragalus platytropis

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# Observations: 15

General DescriptionPerennial from a loosely branched caudex. Herbage glabrate. Stems ascending to erect, 20–50 cm. Leaves with7 to 17 lanceolate to oblanceolate leaflets, 10–25 mm long with rounded tips. Inflorescence longer than theleaves, secund with 7 to 12 spreading to declined flowers. Flowers pale purple; calyx black-strigose; sepals 1–2mm long; banner reflexed, 9–10 mm long; keel 7–9 mm long. Legume pendent, linear-elliptic, triangular incross section, 13–20 mm long, black- and white-strigose with a stipe 2–5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety robbinsii.

HabitatOpen forest, thickets, meadows, gravel bars, especially along rivers, streams; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Robbins' MilkvetchAstragalus robbinsii

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# Observations: 30

General DescriptionPerennial often forming loose mats from a branched caudex. Herbageglabrate to densely strigillose. Stems prostrate to ascending, 5–30 cm.Leaves with 7 to 11 linear-lanceolate to narrowly elliptic leaflets,glabrate above, 5–12 mm long with acute tips; stipules lanceolate, 2–4mm long, basally connate. Inflorescence ca. as long as the leaves, with 5 to 10 spreading flowers. Flowerswhite to purple; calyx black- and/or white-strigose; sepals 1–2 mm long; banner 6–8 mm long, erect; keel 3–6mm long, purple-tipped. Legume spreading, narrowly ovate, white-strigillose, 6–13 mm long, flattened butswollen around the seeds (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).


Bent-flowered MilkvetchAstragalus vexilliflexus

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Potential Species ofConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G3G5State Rank: S3S4

Agency StatusUSFWS:USFS: SENSITIVEBLM:MNPS Threat Rank: 3C-value:

# Observations: 36

General DescriptionLarge-leafed Balsamroot is a large perennial with a well-developed taproot and a branched, undergroundrootcrown. The leafless flowering stems are 30-100 cm tall; the larger basal leaves are 30-60 cm long andpinnately divided into entire-margined or coarsely toothed segments 5-12 cm long. The foliage has short, stiffhairs and/or long, sparse hairs. The large flower heads resemble those of a sunflower and are usually solitary,occurring at the ends of the stems. The lance-shaped involucral bracts are hairy and 25-50 mm long. Theyellow ray flowers are 3-6 cm long, and the yellow disk flowers are ca. 11 mm long. The glabrous achenes arelance-shaped and ca. 1 cm long.

HabitatThis species is found in sagebrush and grasslands, in the montane zone. In the Gallatin National Forest, itoccurs most often on open, east-facing slopes (8-15%), with loamy soils, in a sagebrush-forb community.Outliers are scattered through Douglas fir - lodgepole pine forest and in forest openings on steeper (45%slope), east-facing slopes with rockier and more clayey soils (Mathews 1989).

Large-leaved BalsamrootBalsamorhiza macrophylla

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General DescriptionPLANTS: Annuals or biennials with erect, branched stems and 20–75 cm tall. Plants are densely hairy with star-shaped, appressed trichomes (stellate pubescence) that give it a gray appearance. Source: Lesica et al. 2012.

LEAVES: Basal leaves have petioles, are widest near their tip (oblanceolate) with entire (smooth) margins, andwhither by flowering. Stem leaves are sessile, oblanceolate, 1–3 cm long, and grow erect but become reducedupwards. Source: Lesica et al. 2012.

INFLORESCENCE: A narrow, simple or compound, many-flowered raceme. Flowers consist of 4 green sepals withwhite margins of 2–3 mm long and 4 white petals of 4–6 mm long. Petals are narrow at the base, flareupwards, and are deeply notched, and may appear 8-petalled. Sources: Lesica et al. 2012; Parkinson et al.2017.

Berteroa is the named for Carlo Giuseppe Bertero, 1789-1831, who was an Italian physician and botanist whosettled in Chile (FNA 2003). The common name of Hoary False-alyssum references the plant’s grayishappearance from stellate hairs (hoary) and its original treatment by Carl Linnaeus who placed it in the genusAlyssum.

HabitatHoary False-alyssum commonly grows in fields, along roadways, on trails, and along gravelly banks of streamsand lakes in the plains, valleys, and montane areas of Montana (Lesica et al. 2012; Parkinson et al. 2017).

ManagementAn integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control, and requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Onceidentified an integrated weed management strategy can be developed to promotes a weed-resistant plantcommunity and serves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation can bedeveloped, making control of Hoary False-alyssum possible.

Plants are easily spread across long distances in contaminated hay, lawn, and other forage seed and acrossshort distances by vehicles, farm equipment, and animal grazing (Parkinson et al. 2017).

PREVENTION [Adapted from Parkinson et al. 2017]Seed development must be prevented to reduce or stop spread. Spread can be prevented or reduced by:* Preventing vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas, * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to anuninfested area,* Encouraging landowners to frequently monitor their land for new infestations and, when found to implementeffective control methods.

Hoary False-alyssumBerteroa incana

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* Maintain proper livestock grazing management that is more resilient to Hoary False-alyssum invasion, and* Developing educational campaigns to teach people to not pick and transport the white flowers.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Parkinson et al. 2017]Hand-pulling is effective because the plants are annuals with shallow taproots. Plants should be pulled whensoil is moist to better extract the entire root; roots that remain in the soil could re-generate. Hand-pullingneeds to occur repeatedly until the seed bank is depleted. Plants with seeds should be burned if conditionspermit or sealed in plastic to desiccate or rot before disposing into the trash

Mowing will not control Hoary False-alyssum and does remove other plants that could shade-out or competeagainst it. Mowing also disperses seeds. In certain situations and when combined with irrigation and nutrientmanagement mowing to a 6-inch stubble height could increase the vigor of desirable plants that would shade-out and reduce Hoary False-alyssum seed production. Mowers must be carefully and thoroughly cleaned toprevent spreading seeds.

Shallow Tilling that severs the tap root below the root crown will kill plants and increase seed germination.Therefore, repeated tilling should occur to deplete the seed bank. Alternatively, tilling in combination withother treatments (example, hand-pull, herbicide, revegetation) can control Hoary False-alyssum.

Prescribed Burning can kill plants and seed if done before silicles open. However, burning exposes soils andcreates a high light condition that might be conducive for invasion. Fire in combination with other treatmentsmight be useful. An integrated weed management plan and diligent monitoring is necessary to develop aneffective plan.

Revegetation is effective at controlling Hoary False-alyssum plants and seed production. Sustainablesuppression requires revegetation with desireable plants that compete well for light, water, and nutrients.Desirable vegetation should be appropriate for the management objectives, adapted to the site conditions, becompetitive. Planting with appropriate native plants is highly encouraged. Refer to Montana Plant MaterialsTechnical Note 46, Seeding Rates for Conservation Species for Montana, and Extension Bulletin EB0019,Dryland Pasture Species for Montana and Wyoming for possible species selection and seeding rates.

Irrigation and Fertilization can be used to increase production of other plants because Hoary False-alyssumprefers drier conditions and thrives on sites with poor soil fertility. Used together proper irrigation and nutrientmanagement can prevent invasion or reduce infestations. However, these treatments should also beappropriate for the site conditions and land management objectives. Revegetation should also likely beincluded in the treatment plan.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Parkinson et al. 2017]As of 2018 few herbicide formulations list Hoary False-alyssum on their labels. For up to date information onherbicides, consult Greenbook.

For control in rangelands and grass pastures products that contain the active ingredient Metsulfuron-Methyl canbe effective. An anecdotal report suggests that 2,4-D at the rate of 1 quart per acre provides effective andeconomical control in rangelands and pastures.

As of 2018 there are no broadleaf herbicides labeled for control of Hoary False-alyssum on grass/legume mixedpastures because these chemicals can harm legumes. For highly disturbed areas with Hoary False-alyssumGlyphosate applied at 1-2 quarts per acre controls all plants, but must be followed with a revegetation plan.

It is often standard to apply herbicides to actively growing plants before they bolt. The research in southwestMontana found that several herbicides decreased Hoary False-alyssum seed production and viability acrossvarious growth stages from early to late flowering.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Parkinson et al. 2017]Hoary False-alyssum establishes and reproduces best in overgrazed land; therefore, proper grazingmanagement techniques that maintain the competitiveness of forage plants is necessary.

In general grazing animals have not been used to control Hoary False-alyssum. Cattle can eat Hoary False-alyssum, but will generally select for more digestible plants. In a study goats were found to select for weed-free hay more than for hay mixed with Hoary False-alyssum. In a forage field study conducted in Minnesota,lambs rejected Hoary False-alyssum. In sufficient quantities Hoary False-alyssum is toxic to horses (refer tothe Ecology Section).

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL [Adapted from Parkinson et al. 2017]Currently no biological control agents are available.

Contact information for local county Weed District Coordinators can be found on the Montana Weed ControlAssociation Contacts Webpage.

http://www.greenbook.net





http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 325

General DescriptionStems erect, 5–30 cm, simple. Herbage puberulent. Basal leaf blades 2–7 cm long. Inflorescence 2–10 cm long;bracts lanceolate. Flowers: calyx 2-lobed, 2–4 mm long, densely septate-puberulent, not fully enclosing theovary; stamens purple, 5–10 mm long. Capsule 3–5 mm long, globose, wider than long (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, open forest, fellfields, turf at all elevations (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Wyoming kittentailsBesseya wyomingensis

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Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T5State Rank: S4


# Observations: 128

General DescriptionPLANTS: Long-lived perennial that grows from a branched, woodycaudex (Lesica et al. 2012). Usually one stem per caudex branch growsfrom the center of a rosette or sometimes sterile, lateral stems arise(FNA 2010). Stems grow from 4–25 cm (Lesica et al. 2012).

LEAVES: Basal leaves are spatulate to oblanceolate, 5–25 mm long, and with mostly entire margins (Lesica etal. 2012). Basal leaf petioles are ciliate and blades are densely to sparsely pubescent with branched, whitishtrichomes (FNA 2010). Stem leaves are lanceolate and weakly auriculate (Lesica et al. 2012). Stem leaf hairsare glabrous or sparsely pubescent (FNA 2010).

INFLORESCENCE: Racemes of 3-12(-17) purple flowers, usually unbranched.

HabitatStony, sparsely vegetated soil of moraine, talus slopes, ridges, streambanks; montane to alpine (Lesica et al.2018). Cliffs, talus slopes, and gravelly soil in alpine and subalpine habitats at elevations from 2,100 to 4,400meters (FNA 2010).

Lemmon's RockcressBoechera lemmonii

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# Observations: 131

General DescriptionPLANTS: Long-lived perennial that grows from a simple or branched, woody caudex (FNA 2010). Usually onestem grows from the center of a rosette (FNA 2010). Stems are 3–20 cm (FNA 2010).

LEAVES: Basal leaves are linear-oblanceolate, 1-5(-8) mm wide and 1–3 cm long, and fleshy with entiremargins (FNA 2010, Lesica et al. 2012). Stem leaves are lanceolate to ovate, auriculate or not. Vestiture ofsparse, simple to branched hairs on basal leaves or plants glabrous (Lesica et al. 2012).

INFLORESCENCE: Unbranched racemes of 2-10(-15) purple flowers (FNA 2010).

HabitatStony soil and cobble of fellfields, moraine; subalpine, alpine, often in areas of late snow release (Lesica et al.2012). Cliffs, talus slopes, gravelly soil in alpine and subalpine habitats from 1,400 to 3,700 meters (FNA2010).

Lyall's RockcressBoechera lyallii

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# Observations: 196

General DescriptionBiennial or perennial with a simple or branched caudex. Stems 8–60 cm, terminal. Vestiture lacking or ofsparse, sessile, 2-branched hairs at the base of the plant. Basal leaves narrowly oblanceolate with entire orweakly dentate margins, 2–6 cm long. Stem leaves narrowly lanceolate, auriculate-clasping. Flowers white topurplish; petals 6–10 mm long. Fruit 2–8 cm × 1–3 mm, erect and appressed to the stem; seeds in 2 rows perlocule. (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSparsely vegetated, often stony soil of meadows, grasslands, rock slides, open forest, often associated withlocal disturbance such as ground squirrel digging; valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).)

Drummond's RockcressBoechera stricta

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# Observations: 62

General DescriptionPerennials to 150 cm tall from robust rhizomes, these commony bearing tubers. Culms sharply triangular, oftenwith concave sides, 3-13 mm thick towards the base. Leaves commonly 4-8, borne on the lower 1/2 of thestem; blades mostly 10-40 cm longer to 1 cm wide, the lower 1 or 2 sometimes reduced to bladeless sheaths.Leaflike involucral bracts usually 2 or 3, the longest one usually much exceeding the others and up to 34 cmlong. Scalelike involucral bracts few to several, the larger ones with the green midrib exserted as a caudateawn. Spikelets 3-25 (rarely more), 10-35 mm long, 5-10 mm thick, all sessile in a compact cluster or with 1-4additional clusters borne on peduncles to 6 cm long; scales tan or light brown, rarely dark brown, scarious,minutely hirtellous on the back, the firm midrib exserted as a mucronate awn, this commonly 1-3 times longerthan the apical notch of the scale; perianth bristles few, minutely retrorse-barbellate, ca. 1/4-1/2(-3/4) as longas the achenes; styles 2-branched for ca. 1/3 the length. Achenes 2.5-4 mm long, lenticular, minutely cellular-reticulate (adapted from: Welsh et al., 1993, A Utah Flora, 2nd ed.).

HabitatWet areas.

Saltmarsh BulrushBolboschoenus maritimus

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# Observations: 91

General DescriptionMoonwort is a very small, perennial fern with a single aboveground frond. The dark-green frond is usually about4 inches long and can be seen through mid-summer. It is divided into two leaves above a common stalk. Thesterile leaf is usually dark green, thick, and fleshy. It has up to 9 usually overlapping pairs of broadly fan-shaped leaflets (pinnae). The top edges are rounded and smooth or wavy or rarely have teeth. The fertile leafis longer than the sterile leaf with branches that bear grape-like sporangia. Spores germinate underground anddevelop into tiny, non-photosynthetic gametophytes which depend on an fungus for nourishment. Our plantsare variety crenulatum (Donald Farrar; Iowa State Univeristy, unpublished).

HabitatVarious mesic sites from low to moderate elevations, including roadsides and other disturbed habitats. Sitesare generally open with montane meadows and grasslands being the most common habitats occupied by thespecies.

Common MoonwortBotrychium lunaria

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPOPH01080



# Observations: 270

General DescriptionMingan Island Moonwort is a small perennial fern with a single aboveground frond. The frond varies in height,but may reach about 20 cm. It is divided into two segments which share a common stalk, and it is usually adeep, dull green and somewhat fleshy. The sterile segment is once pinnatifid with up to 10 usually wellseparated pairs of pinnae. The pinnae are variable; they are generally narrowly fan-shaped with rounded, entiremargined apices, but can be broader and may be lobed or have incised margins. The fertile segment is longerthan the sterile segment, is branched, and bears grape-like sporangia. Spores germinate underground anddevelop into minute subterranean, non-photosynthetic gametophytes which depend on an endophytic fungusfor nourishment.

HabitatA broad variety of habitats including grasslands, old growth and second growth deciduous and coniferousforests, and riparian zones. In northwest MT it is usually found at hydrological microfeatures, such as seepydraws, benches, stream bottoms, and wetland edges in maturing to old growth stands of western red cedar.

Mingan Island MoonwortBotrychium minganense

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPOPH010R0

Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G3G4State Rank: S3

Agency StatusUSFWS:USFS: SENSITIVEBLM:MNPS Threat Rank: 2C-value:

# Observations: 61

General DescriptionPeculiar moonwort is a small perennial fern with a single above ground frond. The frond varies in height up toabout 15 cm tall, is glaucous green, somewhat succulent, and divided into two similar segments which share acommon stalk. The segments may be unbranched in small plants or branched in larger plants and are bothfertile and bear grape-like sporangia. Spores germinate underground and develop into minute, subterranean,non-photosynthetic gametophytes which depend on an endophytic fungus for nourishment.

HabitatMesic meadows associated with spruce and lodgepole pine forests in the montane and subalpine zones; alsofound in springy western red cedar forests.

Peculiar MoonwortBotrychium paradoxum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPOPH010J0



# Observations: 52

General DescriptionPlants 5–20 cm. Trophophore green, lanceolate, up to 8 cm long with up to 7 pairs of pinnae; at least thelowest pairs deeply lobed and nearly overlapping the ones above. Sporophore 2 times pinnate; 1 to 2 times aslong as trophophore (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWide variety of habitats, including wet to moist grassy slopes, streambanks, roadsides, and mossy woods,generally in the mountains. In Idaho and Oregon, found in shaded cedar forest.

Northern MoonwortBotrychium pinnatum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPOPH010V0



# Observations: 37

General DescriptionTrophophore light green, lanceolate, to 5 cm long with up to 7 pairs of ascending, fan-shaped pinnae with wavymargins; the lowest often deeply divided and overlapping the ones above. Sporophore 1 to 2 times pinnate, 1to 8 times length of trophophore (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatVarious mesic sites from low to moderate elevations, including roadsides and other disturbed habitats. Sitesare generally open with montane meadows and grasslands being the most common habitats occupied by thespecies.

Least MoonwortBotrychium simplex

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPOPH010E0



# Observations: 518

General DescriptionPerennial bunchgrass or sodgrass. Stems 20–50 cm long. Leaves: blades 1–2 mm wide, often curled.Inflorescence of 1 to 4 secund lateral divergent spikes, each 2–4.5 cm long and with 50 to 80 spikelets, eachlateral rachis terminated by a spikelet, Spikelets 4–5.5 mm long, second glume essentially hairless or withclear gland-based hairs. Lemmas essentially hairless, short-awned, these disarticulating from the spikelet;rudimentary florets 1, densely hairy (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatOpen dry shrub-steppe vegetation and open understory (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Blue GrammaBouteloua gracilis

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# Observations: 643

General DescriptionPerennial bunchgrass. Stems 50–100 cm. Leaves: blades 6–12 mm wide. Inflorescence an open panicle atanthesis, up to 10 cm long. Spikelets 17–22 mm long with 5 to 10 florets. Lemmas with an awn 8–17 mm long(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen understory and adjacent meadows in the mountains (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

California BromeBromus carinatus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA150A0



# Observations: 572

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems 30–130 cm. Leaves: blades 4–12 mmwide, often with a “W” wrinkle about halfway along the leaf blade.Inflorescence a narrow panicle 7–18 cm long. Spikelets 15–30 mm long,with 8 to 15 florets. Lemmas awnless, 2 mm or less long when lemmas glabrous or 3–10 mm long whenlemmas hairy (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

MT plants are the native subspecies pumpellianus and non-native inermis.

HabitatRoadsides, pastures, meadows, and grasslands from low to middle montane elevations (Lavin in Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).)

Smooth BromeBromus inermis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA150L0



# Observations: 209

General DescriptionAnnual bunchgrass. Stems 20–60 cm. Leaves: blades 2–4 mm wide.Inflorescence an open panicle 10–20 cm long, the branches drooping toone side and at least some flexuous, each branch bearing severalspikelets. Spikelets 8–13 mm long, with 5 to 11 florets. Lemmas broad; awn 2–6 mm long, straight to curveddownward at maturity (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRoadsides, pastures, overgrazed sagebrush steppe, sites with strongly fluctuating water levels, and other opendisturbed dry sites (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Japanese BromeBromus japonicus

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Regulated Weed:Priority 3Non-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: SNA



General DescriptionPLANTS: An annual bunchgrass. Stems are erect, slender, and growfrom 20–50 cm tall, depending upon soil moisture and plant density.Plants are green, but upon maturity turn red-brown. Stems are sparselyhairy (puberulent) below the inflorescence. Sources: Barkworth in Floraof North America (FNA) 2007; Lesica et al. 2012.

LEAVES: Blades are 2–4 mm wide, up to 16cm long, and are softly hairon both sides. Sheaths are often densely and softly retrorselypubescent to pilose, though sometimes the upper sheaths areglabrous. Ligules are membranous. Sources: Barkworth in FNA 2007;Lesica et al. 2012.

INFLORESCENCE: An open, often nodding panicle of 2–15 cm long.Spikelets are 10–17 mm long with 3 to 6 florets. At maturity spikeletsare red-brown to purple. Lemmas are 9–12 mm long, gradually tapered into two narrow teeth. The awn isstraight or twisted, 12–20 mm long, and attached to the lemma. Sources: Barkworth in FNA 2007; Lesica et al.2012.

The common name “Downy Brome” refers to the numerous, fine hairs on its leaves.The common name “Cheatgrass” comes from pioneering farmers who noticed it reduced their wheat yields, andin feeling cheated named it “cheatgrass”.

HabitatCheatgrass grows on overgrazed rangelands, fields, roadsides, waste places, sagebrush steppe, and open, dryunderstory (Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementWherever Cheatgrass establishes it will be persistent, and eradication is not a reasonable goal in mostsituations. The strategy chosen to suppress Cheatgrass will determine its level of abundance and role in thecommunity. Sites need to be evaluated to determine how much of the community still has perennial shrubs,forbs, and grasses. In sites devoid of perennial plants, the Cheatgrass community is likely stable and self-perpetuating and control techniques do not need to consider impacts to perennial plants. In sites with seralplant communities that have Cheatgrass, but also have perennial shrubs, forbs, and/or grasses, controltechniques that do not harm the perennial vegetation should be implemented.

An integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control, and requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al.in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Onceidentified an integrated weed management strategy to promote a weed-resistant plant community and serveother land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation, can be developed.

PREVENTION [Adapted from Sheley and Petroff 1999]Preventing the establishment of Cheatgrass can be accomplished by many practices:

CheatgrassBromus tectorum

Range Non-native

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* Learn how to accurately identify Cheatgrass in order to detect occurrences and know where to implementcontrol methods.* Implement measures to reduce soil disturbance and improve conditions for perennial plant reproduction.* Prevent vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas. * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to uninfestedareas.* Frequently monitor for new plants, and when found implement effective control methods.* Maintain proper grazing management that creates resilience to noxious weed invasion.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Mosley in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Hand-pulling is effective and easy in small areas, gardens, alleys, and other places, particularly when soils aremoist. The shallow, fibrous roots system makes it easier for the entire plant to be pulled and bagged. If plantsare in the fruit/seed stage then plants should be allowed to desiccate within sealed bags before depositing inthe landfill. Hand-pulling should be done at intervals until the seed source is depleted.

Disking creates favorable soil conditions, stimulates seed germination, and is usually not effective. To beeffective, tillage must be 10-15 cm deep in order to bury seeds and prevent their germination and be repeatedduring the season. Increasing the soil bulk density of the soil will inhibit Cheatgrass, but should not be done ifit will impact desirable plants.

Revegetating land with competitive, locally adapted, and competitive grasses, forbs, and shrubs will develop aplant community that is more resilient to Cheatgrass. However, establishing the community can be difficultbecause cheatgrass plants quickly absorb available soil moisture and nutrients. It is necessary to userevegetation in combination with disking, herbicides, or prescribed fire on rangeland to be more effective inreducing Cheatgrass. Details at combining techniques can be found in Mosley in Sheley and Petroff 1999 andwith your local County Weed or Farm agents.NOTE: Cultivars of native grasses do not break down and degrade like true native plants, and will contribute tofuel loads and harming biological soil crusts.

Prescribed Burning is not an effective control method. Burning will decrease above ground biomass, butstimulates seed germination, and decreases competition from desirable plants. Cheatgrass plants thatestablish after a fire produce more seed per plant.

Mowing is not an effective control method because it distributes seeds, decreases competition from adjacentplants, and maintains conditions that are favorable to Cheatgrass.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Mosley in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Herbicides can be effective, when desired perennial plants are still abundant in the community. A single year ofherbicide application will temporarily reduce the population, but increase seed production. Chemical controlmust be repeated for 2 to 5 consecutive years. Combining revegetation with herbicide control can be moreeffective if done properly. Details at combining techniques can be found in Mosley in Sheley and Petroff 1999.

The herbicide type and concentration, application time and method, environmental constraints, land usepractices, local regulations, and other factors will determine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species.Strict adherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label will reduce risks to human andenvironmental health. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for information on herbicidalcontrol. Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.

Paraquat (0.5 pounds active ingredient (ai) per acre) applied in the spring to the vegetative stage or earlydough stage of seed development will provide control if repeated for 2 consecutive years. A surfactant willincrease the effectiveness of paraquat.

Glyphosate (0.6 pounds ai per acre) applied in the spring will kill desirable perennial grasses. For Cheatgrassglyphosate (0.5 pounds ai per acre) applied in the spring to the vegetative stage or early dough stage of seeddevelopment will provide control if repeated for 3 consecutive years. For Cheatgrass glyphosate (0.4 pounds aiper acre) applied in the spring to the early dough stage of seed development will provide control if repeated for3 consecutive years.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Mosley in Sheley and Petroff 1999]No biological control agents are available. Cheatgrass seedheads are susceptible to Ergot, a fungus which willkill seeds.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Mosley in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Livestock grazing can be purposely designed to control Cheatgrass (Megee 1938; Daubenmire 1940; Valentineand Stevens 1994; and Mosely 1996). As a tool it works best when targeted to local areas for the purpose ofprotecting existing perennial plants from fire or aiding seeding restoration in severely depleted sites.

To control Cheatgrass targeted grazing must be done at least twice per season for at least two consecutiveyears. The grazing intensity should be light enough to maintain a minimum 8 cm (3 inches) stubble height on


desirable grasses. The first grazing should be done in the spring when plants are tall enough to becomeaccessible and palatable, but before plants turn purplish (before they reach the soft dough stage of seeddevelopment). This will prevent most seed development. The second grazing should occur in late spring duringthe boot stage, then allowed to re-grow for 3-4 weeks before re-grazing.

Grazing intensities in winter can be moderate to heavy without damaging perennial plants, as long as soils aredry and firm.

Prescribed grazing can also reduce litter build-up, disrupting the fire cycle, reducing the fuel loads, andenhance the competitiveness from perennial plants. Grazed firelines should be at least 75 meters (250 feet)wide.






http://mtweed.org




Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: S4?


# Observations: 165

General DescriptionRhizomatous bunchgrass. Stems loosely bunched, 50–100 cm. Leaves:blades mostly 2–5 mm wide. Inflorescence a contracted panicle 6–15 cmlong. Spikelets 3.5–5 mm long. Lemma with a slender straight awnbarely surpassing lemma tip, callus hairs >1/2 the length of lemma (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatStream sides, gravel benches, wet meadows, and seasonally inundated settings such as roadside ditches(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Slimstem reedgrassCalamagrostis stricta

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# Observations: 154

General DescriptionHerbaceous perennials from a simple caudex. Stems to 15 cm in flower,expanding in fruit. Leaves mainly basal, fleshy, alternate, simple,petiolate; blades 2–8 cm long, narrowly cordate-ovate, crenate. Flowers1 to 2, dish-shaped; sepals 7 to 10, white, often tinged with blue outside, 7–20 mm long; petals absent;stamens 10 or more, pistils 5 or more. Fruit 4 to 15 aggregated, ascending, many-seeded follicles, 1–2 cm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet soil of stream banks, meadows where snow melt accumulates; lower subalpine to alpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

White Marsh-marigoldCaltha leptosepala

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDRAN06010



# Observations: 21

General DescriptionPlant: Short-lived acaulescent perennial (Lesica 2012), growing in a low tuft (caespitose) from a long taproot(Hitchcock et al. 1961), sometimes spreading by roots. Herbage nearly glabrous (without hairs) to strigose(hairs flat against the stem pointing unidirectionally) (Lesica 2012).

Leaves: All are basal, with blades narrowly lanceolate, deeply pinnately lobed, 3–10 cm long (Lesica 2012), 5-15 mm wide, and tapering to petioles ca ½ to 2/3 the length of the blade (Hitchcock et al. 1961).

Inflorescence: Flowers sessile in leaf axils (Lesica 2012).

(Lesica's contribution adapted from Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX.)

HabitatDry meadows (Hitchcock et al. 1961), moist, often calcareous soil of ephemeral wetlands, stream and pondmargins; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012)


Short-flower Evening-primroseCamissonia breviflora

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDONA03060



# Observations: 32

General DescriptionPlants: Taprooted, short-lived, acaulescent perennial. Herbage glabrous(Lesica 2012), seldom with a few straight, stiff hairs (Hickman 1993).

Leaves: Petiolate, all basal; the blade lanceolate to oblanceolate, sometimes pinnately lobed below, 4–15 cmlong (Lesica 2012).

Inflorescence: Flowers sessile in leaf axils (Lesica 2012).


HabitatSubstrate: Generally in clay soils (Hickman 1993).

Habitat: Grows in meadows that are moist in spring. In Montana, these meadows are found around persistentsnow at moderate elevations.

Long-leaf Evening-primroseCamissonia subacaulis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDONA031L0




General DescriptionStems 30–150 cm. Herbage glabrate to villous. Leaves: basal wing-petiolate; blades oblanceolate, pinnately lobed, 6–20 cm long; caulinesessile, reduced upward. Inflorescence of solitary, sometimes noddingheads on spiny peduncles 2–30 cm long. Involucres 2–4 cm high;phyllaries lanceolate, outer reflexed; inner unarmed. Disk corollas 15–25mm long. Achenes 4–5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFields, roadsides, disturbed grasslands, riparian meadows; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).



Musk ThistleCarduus nutans

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http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 424

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 30–100 cm, often tufted. Leaves basal and cauline; blades 2–6 mm wide.Inflorescence of 3 to 10 well-separated spikes; the lowest bract greater than the inflorescence. Spikes erect;the uppermost 1 to 3 male, the lower female or androgynous, subsessile to pedunculate below, 12–60 mmlong, cylindric. Perigynia ascending, green to tan, obovate, veinless, glabrous, 2–3 mm long with a minutebeak. Female scales lanceolate, acute, brown with a pale midstripe, equal to or smaller and narrower than theperigynia. Achene 2-sided, smaller than the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

We have varieties aquatilis and dives (T. Holm) Kukenth.

HabitatMarshes, wet meadows, fens, streambanks; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Water SedgeCarex aquatilis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP030V0



# Observations: 24

General DescriptionCaespitose. Stems erect, 15–80 cm. Leaves basal and lower-cauline blades 1–4 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to8 sessile spikes in a dense head; lowest bract spreading, linear, usually longer than the inflorescence. Spikes5–9 mm long, all similar, female flowers above, male below. Perigynia erect, (narrowly) lanceolate, green totan, wing- and serrulate-margined, 3–4 mm long including the indistinct 1–2 mm long beak, serrulate below,entire above; stigmas 2. Female scales lanceolate, acuminate, light brown with a pale midvein, as wide andjust shorter than the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, much smaller than the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet or vernally wet soil of meadows, sparsely vegetated shores of streams, ponds; plains, valleys, montane(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Jointed-spike SedgeCarex athrostachya

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP03170



# Observations: 162

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 3–30 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades1–4 mm wide. Inflorescence of 2 to 4 well-separated spikes; the lowestbract greater than the inflorescence. Spikes ascending or spreading; theuppermost male; the lower female, pedunculate, 5–20 mm long, narrowly cylindric. Perigynia spreading, whiteto green, becoming golden, obovoid, fleshy, papillose, 2–3 mm long, loosely aggregated; stigmas 2. Femalescales ovate, sometimes awn-tipped, light brown with a pale midvein and hyaline margins, shorter but nearlyas wide as the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, smaller than the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows, turf, usually around streams, ponds, seeps, wetlands; plains, valleys to lower alpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Golden-fruit SedgeCarex aurea

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP031C0



# Observations: 72

General DescriptionCaespitose. Stems erect, 2–40 cm. Leaves mainly basal; blades 1–3 mm wide. Inflorescence of 2 to 5 arching-pedunculate spikes; the lowest bract shorter than the inflorescence. Spikes: the uppermost male, ca. 5 mmlong; the lower female, 4–12 mm long, cylindric. Perigynia spreading to ascending, green to tan, narrowlyovoid, glabrous, 2.5–3.5 mm long with a beak ca. 0.5 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scales pale with a darkermidstripe, shorter and ca. as wide as the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, nearly filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet, usually organic soil of stream banks, wet meadows, fens, turf, montane to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Hair-like SedgeCarex capillaris

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP032G0

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T4T5State Rank: SU


# Observations: 17

General DescriptionCaespitose. Stems erect, 20–50 cm. Leaves basal and lower-cauline; blades 1–4 mm wide. Inflorescence of 2to 6 short-pedunculate, erect spikes forming a loose cluster; lowest spike sometimes arching. Spikes 10–25mm long, all similar; male flowers basal on uppermost spike otherwise all female. Perigynia erect, purplish togreen, elliptic, 4–4.5 mm long, scabrous on the upper margin, filled by the achene; beaks 0.3–0.5 mm long;stigmas 3. Female scales narrowly lanceolate, blackish with thin, hyaline margins, as long or longer but muchnarrower than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, much smaller than the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows; subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Copper-scale SedgeCarex chalciolepis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP035X4



# Observations: 5

General DescriptionShort-rhizomatous. Stems erect, 15–50 cm, tufted. Leaves mainly basal,yellowish; blades 2–5 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 5 well-separated,pedunculate spikes; the lowest bract greater than the inflorescence.Spikes: 1–2 cm long; the uppermost male, erect, 8–25 mm long; the lower female, ascending to spreading,cylindric. Perigynia ascending to spreading, yellowish, narrowly obovoid, glabrous, veiny, 2.5–3.5 mm long;beak 0.4–0.7 mm long. Female scales ovate, acute, scarious-margined, shorter than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, smaller than the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatMoist alkaline meadows; valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Carex diluta

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP03KF0



# Observations: 160

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 10–50 cm, somewhat tufted. Leaves basal and lower-cauline; blades 1–3 mm wide.Inflorescence of 2 to 6 sessile, remote to overlapping spikes, bractless. Spikes 2–5 mm long, all similar; fewmale flowers above the female. Perigynia 1 to 3 per spike, spreading to ascending, green to tan, red-veined,glabrous, elliptic, 2–3 mm long with an obscure beak; stigmas 2. Female scales ovate, hyaline with a tanmidvein, shorter and narrower than the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet, organic soil, often beneath shrubs, in swamps, fens, wet coniferous forest; valleys, montane (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Softleaf SedgeCarex disperma

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP033U0



# Observations: 86

General DescriptionDensely caespitose. Stems erect, 3–12 cm with old leaf sheaths at the base. Leaves basal and lower-cauline;blades ca. 0.5 mm wide. Inflorescence a solitary bractless spike. Spike narrow, 8–18 mm long; male floweredportion usually >5 mm long; female flowers below male. Perigynia obovoid, 2.5–4 mm long, brown, with anentire beak 0.5 or more mm long and sometimes a few hairs above; stigmas 3. Female scales brown withhyaline margins, mostly larger than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFellfields, dry turf; alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Blackroot SedgeCarex elynoides

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General DescriptionBranched-rhizomatous, densely caespitose. Stems erect, 10–35 cm, clustered. Leaves: basal bladeless; caulineblades 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence a solitary bractless spike. Spike narrow, 10–35 mm long; male-floweredportion above, 8–25 mm long; female flowers below, 1 to 3, well-separated. Perigynia ellipsoid with a thick,basal stalk, 5–7 mm long, green to brown, glabrous; stigmas 3. Female scales acuminate, light brown withhyaline margins, hiding the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen forests, grasslands, meadows; valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Geyer's SedgeCarex geyeri

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# Observations: 124

General DescriptionDensely caespitose. Stems erect, 20–70 cm. Leaves: basal bladeless; cauline blades 1–3 mm wide.Inflorescence of 4 to 8 sessile spikes, densely clustered into a globose to ovoid head; lowest bract short.Spikes 5–8 mm long, all similar; male flowers above female. Perigynia ascending to spreading, brown withgreen margins, ovate, narrowly wing-margined, 3.5–5 × 1.5–2 mm; the serrulate beak, bidentate, 1–1.5 mmlong; stigmas 2. Female scales brown with a green midstripe and hyaline margins, just shorter and narrowerthan the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, smaller than the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, open forests; plains, valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).)

Hood's SedgeCarex hoodii

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Agency StatusUSFWS:USFS: SENSITIVEBLM: SENSITIVEMNPS Threat Rank: 2C-value: 7

# Observations: 67

General DescriptionShort-rhizomatous. Stems erect, 12–60 cm, tufted. Leaves: basal and lower-cauline; blades 2–4 mm wide.Inflorescence of usually 3 subsessile, erect, overlapping spikes; lowest bract short. Spikes 6–25 mm long;uppermost largest, female or bisexual with male flowers below; lower all female. Perigynia ascending, green,pappilose, obovoid, 2.5–3 mm long, with a brown, serrulate beak ca. 0.3 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scaleslanceolate, black with a pale midstripe, concealing the perigynia, becoming shorter and more rounded above.Achene 3-sided, nearly filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatIdaho sedge inhabits moist alkaline meadows, often along streams (Vanderhorst and Lesica 1994). It mostoften occupies ecotonal areas between wet meadow and sagebrush steppe (Lesica 1998), and appears to berestricted to nearly level sites in the high valleys of southwest Montana. It is commonly found on terraces ofheadwaters streams above 6000 feet elevation. Small populations may occur at lower elevations or alonglarger streams. Soils tend to be silty, with high organic content and little or no coarse material (Lesica 1998).Most documented Montana populations are in areas with calcareous parent material, however a few occupynon-calcareous sites.

The moist, alkaline, streamside meadow habitat of Idaho sedge is typically dominated by graminoids(especially Deschampsia caespitosa, Juncus balticus, Carex praegracilis, C. nebrascensis, C. aquatilis), with orwithout Potentilla fruticosa (Vanderhorst and Lesica 1994; Lesica 1998). Adjacent steppe vegetation isdominated by Artemisia tridentata and/or A. tripartita, Festuca idahoensis and Agropyron smithii. Species mostcommonly associated with Idaho sedge are (in order of importance) Juncus balticus, C. praegracilis,Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Aster occidentalis, Poa pratensis, Taraxacum officinale, Potentilla gracilis andAntennaria microphylla. Graminoid cover is high (60-100%), and forb cover low to moderate (5-50%) except inovergrazed areas. Bare ground averages 8% and cover of lichens and bryophytes averages 14% (Lesica 1998).

Idaho sedge consistently occurs in subirrigated soils associated with low-gradient streams or springs andseeps. These soils are wet early in the growing season but are only moist later in the summer. In wetlandswhere part of the habitat was saline (as indicated by the presence of Distichlis and Puccinellia), it is usuallylimited to non-saline areas, although it has been found in salt-encrusted soils (Lesica 1998).

Idaho SedgeCarex idahoa

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# Observations: 7

General DescriptionCaespitose in small tufts. Stems erect, 3–20 cm. Leaves mainly basal; blades 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence of 2to 4 sessile, clustered spikes; lower bract short. Spikes 5–10 mm long, all similar; female flowers above, malebelow. Perigynia erect, brown, narrowly oblanceolate, 2.5–3 mm long with an entire beak 0.5–1 mm long;stigmas 2. Female scales ovate, brown with a lighter midvein and hyaline margins, exposing only the beak tip.Achene 2-sided, filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatWet, organic, sometimes shallow soil of turf, rock ledges, streambanks; alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Arctic Hare's-foot SedgeCarex lachenalii

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# Observations: 166

General DescriptionCaespitose. Stems erect, 15–70 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades 3–8 mm wide. Inflorescence of 2 to 5ascending spikes; the lowest bract shorter than the inflorescence. Spikes: the uppermost male or bisexual withmale flowers below, 1–3 cm long; the lower female, 10–25 mm long, pedunculate, cylindric. Perigyniaascending, green to purple, narrowly lanceolate, glabrous or sparsely setose above, 3.5–4.5 mm long with anentire, indistinct beak ca. 1 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scales purplish to black sometimes with a palemidstripe, shorter and ca. as wide as the perigynia (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

In Montana we have varieties ablata (L.H. Bailey) F. J. Herm. and atropurpurea Dorn.

HabitatMoist to wet meadows; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Woodrush SedgeCarex luzulina

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# Observations: 397

General DescriptionDensely caespitose. Stems erect, 15–90 cm. Leaves basal and cauline;blades 1–5 mm wide. Inflorescence of 4 to 10 sessile spikes denselyclustered into a globose to ovoid head; lowest bract scale-like. Spikes4–10 mm long, all similar; female flowers above male. Perigynia ascending, green to brown, narrowly ovate,flattened, wing-margined, 3–4.5 × 1–1.5 mm, the beak, 1–1.5 mm long, serrulate below, entire above; stigmas2. Female scales brown sometimes with a pale midstripe and margins, shorter but nearly as wide as theperigynia. Achene 2-sided, much smaller than the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist to wet meadows, grasslands, shores of streams, lakes, occasionally open forest, pastures; valleys toalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Small-wing SedgeCarex microptera

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# Observations: 224

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 8–80 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades 3–10 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 6well-separated spikes; the lowest bract equal to or shorter than the inflorescence. Spikes ascending; theuppermost 1 or 2 male; the lower female, 1–5 cm long, pedunculate, cylindric. Perigynia ascending, green totan, obovate, 5- to 9-veined, glabrous, 2.5–3.5 mm long with a short divided beak. Female scales acuminate,awn-tipped, dark brown with a pale midstripe, longer and narrower than the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, fillingthe perigynia (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet meadows, marshes, pastures, banks of streams, ponds, tolerant of alkaline and saline soil; plains,valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Nebraska SedgeCarex nebrascensis

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# Observations: 65

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 10–40 cm. Leaves: basal and cauline; blades 1–3 mm wide. Inflorescence a solitarybractless spike. Spike ovoid, 8–20 mm long; male flowered portion 3–8 mm long; female flowers below.Perigynia ascending, spreading to reflexed at maturity, narrowly lanceolate, brown to purplish above, 2–3 mmlong not including the distinct pedicel, tapered to an indistinct, entire beak; stigmas 3. Female scales blackish,concealing the perigynia at first but soon deciduous. Achene 3-sided, smaller than the perigynium (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows, along streams, in depressions; alpine, rarely lower (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Black Alpine SedgeCarex nigricans

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# Observations: 135

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 3–15 cm, solitary. Leaves basal and lower-cauline; blades 0.5–2 mm wide.Inflorescence a solitary bractless spike. Spike narrow, 5–12 mm long; male flowered portion 3–8 mm long;female flowers below, few. Perigynia ovoid, ribbed, 2–3 mm long, purplish, with a distinct, entire, bidentatebeak 0.5–1 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scales hyaline with a tan center, apiculate, nearly concealing theperigynia. Achene 3-sided, filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMesic grasslands, meadows, turf, fellfields; valleys to alpine, more common lower (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Blunt SedgeCarex obtusata

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Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4G5State Rank: S3S4


# Observations: 31

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 15–40 cm, tufted. Leaves: basal and lower-cauline; blades 2–4 mm wide.Inflorescence of 2 to 4 subsessile, erect, overlapping spikes; lowest bract shorter than the inflorescence.Spikes cylindric; uppermost, male or bisexual with male flowers below, 1–2 cm long; lower all female, 5–20 mmlong. Perigynia erect, green to purplish, papillose, ellipsoid, 1.5–2.5 mm long; beak serrulate, <0.5 mm long;stigmas 3. Female scales ovate, brown with a pale midstripe and hyaline margins, concealing the perigynia.Achene 3-sided, filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatMoist to wet, often alkaline or saline meadows, often along streams; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Parry's SedgeCarex parryana

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# Observations: 237

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 10–70 cm. Leaves: basal bladeless; cauline blades 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence of 5to 15 overlapping spikes in an elongate cluster; lowest bract shorter than the inflorescence. Spikes sessile,similar, ascending, ovoid; 5–8 mm long; male flowers above, few; female flowers below; sometimes spikes orinflorescences unisexual. Perigynia erect, narrowly ovate, green to brown, glabrous, 3–4 mm long, tapered to aserrulate beak 1–2 mm long; stigmas 2. Female scales lanceolate, tan with pale margins and midvein, hidingthe perigynia. Achene 2-sided, nearly filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist soil of meadows, woodlands, often around ponds, streams; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Clustered Field SedgeCarex praegracilis

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# Observations: 15

General DescriptionCaespitose. Stems erect, 3–20 cm with old leaf sheaths at the base. Leaves: basal blades absent; caulinecrowded near the base; blades <1 mm wide. Inflorescence a solitary bractless spike. Spike lanceolate, 6–20mm long; male flowered portion 2–4 mm long; female flowers below. Perigynia ascending, spreading atmaturity, lanceolate, green to bronze, 2–2.5 mm long not including the distinct pedicel, tapered to anindistinct, entire beak; stigmas 3. Female scales brown to purple with hyaline margins and an indistinctmidstripe, nearly concealing the perigynia at first but eventually deciduous. Achene 3-sided, nearly filling theperigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist to dry, well-drained soil of meadows, fellfields, rocky slopes; alpine, rarely lower (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Pyrenean SedgeCarex pyrenaica

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# Observations: 107

General DescriptionCaespitose with old leaves at the base. Stems erect, 15–80 cm. Leaves basal and lower-cauline; blades 2–8mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 6 pedunculate to subsessile, ascending, separate to overlapping, oblong toovoid spikes. Spikes unisexual; terminal spike male, 6–15 mm long; lower female, 1–2 cm long. Perigyniagreen to yellowish, obovoid, inflated, 3–4 × 1.5–2.5 mm, with a distinct, bidentate beak <0.5 mm long;stigmas 3. Female scales purplish-black, shorter, narrower than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, smaller than theperigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist grasslands, meadows; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Raynolds' SedgeCarex raynoldsii

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# Observations: 111

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 2–15 cm, tufted. Leaves mainly basal; blades 1–3 mm wide, curled at the tip.Inflorescence a solitary bractless spike. Spike narrow, 1–2 cm long; male flowered portion usually 5–10 mmlong; female flowers below, few. Perigynia narrowly ellipsoid, 2–3.5 mm long, green below, brown above, witha beak up to 0.5 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scales brown with hyaline margins, mostly concealing theperigynia. Achene 3-sided, nearly filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGravelly soil of grasslands, fellfields, turf, often on exposed slopes, ridges; valleys to alpine, more commonhigher (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rock SedgeCarex rupestris

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# Observations: 152

General DescriptionDioecious, rhizomatous. Stems erect, 5–40 cm, tufted. Leaves basal and cauline or basal bladeless; blades 1–3mm wide. Inflorescence a solitary spike; bract inconspicuous. Spikes unisexual, cylindric, 1–4 cm long.Perigynia ovate to elliptic, sometimes flattened, brown to purple above, pilose, 2.5–4 mm long, with a distinctbeak 0.5 mm or less long; stigmas 3. Female scales brown to purple with hyaline margins and a pale midvein,sometimes ciliate or puberulent, concealing the perigynia or nearly so. Achene 3-sided, smaller or nearly fillingthe perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are subspecies pseudoscirpoidea (Rydb.) D.A. Dunlop and scirpoidea.

HabitatDry ridges, fellfields with gravelly non-calcareous soils (subspecies pseudoscirpoidea) and calcareous soils(subspecies scirpoidea)(Flora N. America, Vol. 23, 2003).

Single-spike SedgeCarex scirpoidea

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# Observations: 7

General DescriptionPlants rhizomatous, dioecious. Stems 10-40 cm, shorter than leaves. Leaf blades 1.5-4 mm wide. Pistillateinflorescence: spikelets generally 1, sometimes 2, upper generally larger; spikelet bract wanting or if presentthen shorter than spike, sometimes leaf-like and sheathing; floral bract obtuse or with a small point, equal toor longer than the perygynium in width, ciliate or not, often minutely hairy, brown to black with wide whitemargin. Perygyinia 20-40 per spikelet, ascending, 2-3.5 mm long, 1-1.7 mm wide, 3-sided, faintly veined,purplish, faces minutely hairy (at least near beak), beak 0.4-0.7 mm long; fruit 1.5-2.1 mm long, 0.7-1.1 mmwide, more or less equal to length of peryginium body (Mastrogiuseppe, 1993, The Jepson Manual).

HabitatRocky, seasonally wet areas.

Western Single-spike SedgeCarex scirpoidea ssp. pseudoscirpoidea

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# Observations: 150

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 8–70 cm. Leaves basal and/or cauline; blades 2–6 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 5overlapping spikes; the lowest bract shorter than the inflorescence. Spikes ascending to erect; the uppermostmale; the lower female, subsessile to short-pedunculate, 8–25 mm long, cylindric. Perigynia erect, green totan, brown above, lanceolate to suborbicular, veinless, glabrous, papillose, 2–3 mm long with a minute beak.Female scales acute to rounded, almost completely blackish, narrower and subequal to the perigynia. Achene2-sided, smaller than the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Our plants are varieties bracteosa (L.H. Bailey) F.J. Herm. and prionophylla (T. Holm) L.A. Standl.

HabitatWet meadows, thickets, fens (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Holm's Rocky Mountain SedgeCarex scopulorum

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# Observations: 126

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 15–60 cm. Leaves: basal bladeless; cauline blades 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence of 4to 12 overlapping spikes in an oblong to ovoid cluster; lowest bract inconspicuous. Spikes sessile, similar,ascending, ovoid, 5–10 mm long; sometimes unisexual or male flowers above few female. Perigynia erect,broadly ovate, brown, shiny, glabrous, ca. 2 mm long with a beak up to 0.5 mm long; stigmas 2. Female scalesovate, tan with pale margins and midvein, hiding the perigynia. Achene 2-sided, filling the perigynium (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet, often organic soil of fens, wet meadows; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Copycat SedgeCarex simulata

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Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4G5State Rank: S3?


# Observations: 5

General DescriptionShort-rhizomatous. Stems erect, 15–50 cm, tufted. Leaves basal and cauline, pubescent; blades 1–3 cm wide,pubescent. Inflorescence of 3 to 7 overlapping, short-pedunculate spikes; the lowest bract shorter or longerthan the inflorescence. Spikes ascending; the uppermost male, 3–10 mm long; lower female, ovoid, 6–12 mmlong. Perigynia ascending to spreading, green, obovoid, glabrous, veiny, ca. 3 mm long with a beak <0.5 mmlong. Female scales ovate, short-awned, tan with hyaline margins, shorter than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided,filling the perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows and woodlands on the plains.

Torrey's SedgeCarex torreyi

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# Observations: 853

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, 50–100 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades 4–10 mm wide, yellowish-green, notinrolled. Inflorescence of 4 to 8 well-separated spikes; the lowest bract greater than the inflorescence. Spikesunisexual; the uppermost 1 to 3 male, linear; the lower female, ascending, 2–10 cm long, subsessile topedunculate, cylindric. Perigynia perpendicular spreading, green to tan, elliptic, inflated, glabrous, 4–6 mmlong; the distinct narrow bidentate beak ca. 1.5 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scales acuminate to awned,brown with hyaline margins and pale midvein, smaller than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, much smaller thanthe perigynium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAbundant in wet soil to standing water of marshes, fens, swamps, around streams, ponds; plains, valleys tosubalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Common Beaked SedgeCarex utriculata

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Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4State Rank: SH


# Observations: 5

General DescriptionDeer Indian Paintbrush is a perennial, hemiparasitic herb with clustered, erect, branched stems that are 3-6 dmhigh and which arise from a branched rootcrown. The lower leaves are linear and entire-margined, while theupper leaves have a pair of spreading lobes. Foliage is glabrous or has minute, curled hairs. Flowers are bornein a spike at the top of the stems. Each flower is subtended by a 3-5-lobed leaf-like bract, which is broaderthan the leaves with yellowish tips. The yellow, tubular corolla, 18-25 mm long, tapers to a short hood, orgalea, above and to 3 small lobes below. The tubular calyx, 15-20 mm long, surrounds the corolla and is cleftmore deeply below than above; each of the lateral lobes divide again into 2 pointed lobes which are 2-3 mmlong. The fruit is a capsule with many tiny seeds.

HabitatGrasslands and open coniferous forests in the valley and lower montane zones.

Deer Indian PaintbrushCastilleja cervina

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Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4?State Rank: S4


# Observations: 10

General DescriptionPerennial. Stems erect, simple, 20–50 cm. Herbage puberulent. Leaves2–7 cm long, linear to linear-lanceolate, the upper with 1 pair of linearlobes. Inflorescence glandular-puberulent, villous; bracts bright red,lanceolate with 1 or 2 pairs of lateral lobes. Flowers: calyx 20–28 mm long, primary clefts deeper in front thanin back, lobes acute to acuminate, 3–8 mm long; corolla 26–36 mm long, galea 10–13 mm long, lower lipgreen, minute (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMeadows and grasslands in the montane and subalpine zones up to alpine turf.

Greater Red Indian PaintbrushCastilleja crista-galli

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# Observations: 21

General DescriptionPerennial. Stems ascending to erect, simple, 10–35 cm. Herbage viscid-villous. Leaves suberect, 2–5 cm long,narrowly lanceolate, the lower entire, the upper with 1 or 2 pairs of lateral lobes. Inflorescence glandular-villous; bracts yellow or yellow-tipped, lanceolate to narrowly ovate with 1 to 3 pairs of pointed lobes,.Flowers: calyx 20–28 mm long, longer than the flowers, primary clefts slightly deeper adjacent to the corolla lipthan the back, lobes rounded, 1–4 mm long; corolla yellow, ca. as long as the calyx, galea 3–5 mm long, lowerlip 3–4 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows, grasslands, sagebrush steppe; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Cusick's Indian PaintbrushCastilleja cusickii

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Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T5State Rank: S2

Agency StatusUSFWS:USFS:BLM:MNPS Threat Rank: 2C-value: 6

# Observations: 54

General DescriptionAnnual Indian Paintbrush is an annual with erect, unbranched stems that are 3-8 dm high. The alternate,narrowly lance-shaped leaves, 3-8 cm long, have entire margins. Foliage is glandular-hairy. The stalklessflowers arise from the axils of the reduced upper leaves (bracts) in a spike-like inflorescence at the top of thestem. The upper bracts have red tips. The yellowish, tubular corolla, 15-25 mm long, tapers to a galea abovethat surpasses the 3 small lobes below. The tubular calyx, 15-20 mm long, almost completely contains thecorolla and is cleft into 4 pointed lobes. The fruit is a capsule with many tiny seeds.

HabitatMoist alkaline meadows in the valley zone.

Annual Indian PaintbrushCastilleja exilis

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Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G3G4State Rank: S2


# Observations: 48

General DescriptionSlender Indian Paintbrush is a perennial with slender, erect or ascending, usually unbranched stems, 20-50 cmtall, that often root at the base. The entire-margined leaves are narrowly lance-shaped, and the foliage isglabrous or covered with long, soft hairs. The inflorescence is generally yellow, but may be orange or even red.The oblong flower bracts are entire-margined or may have a single pair of small lobes near the top. The calyxis 15-22 mm long and deeply divided into two lobes at the top that are each divided again into two smaller,pointed lobes. The petals of the flower are united into a tube below that forms a large, galea and three smalllobes or teeth opposite it. The entire corolla is 20-30 mm long; the galea is densely hairy and less than half aslong as the tube, while the lip is green and ca. 1/5 the length of the galea.

HabitatCastilleja gracillima occurs on saturated soils along willow-dominated stream courses in sagebrush-grasslandsettings (Vanderhorst and Heidel 1995). In the Gallatin National Forest, it has been found in wet meadowswith at least seasonally saturated soils, along streambanks and on gentle sloping spring terraces (Matthews(1989). Associates include Castilleja minata (scarlet paintbrush), Geranium richardsonii (white geranium), Salixwolfii (Wolf's willow), Epilobium glaberrimum (smooth willow-herb), Habenaria dilatata (white bog-orchid), andHabenaria hyperborea (northern green bog-orchid).

Slender Indian PaintbrushCastilleja gracillima

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# Observations: 26

General DescriptionPerennial. Stems erect, simple, 5–12 cm. Herbage puberulent to villous.Leaves linear, 2–4 cm long, the lower entire, upper 3-lobed.Inflorescence villous-tomentose; bracts yellow- to purple-tipped,lanceolate with a pair of linear lobes. Flowers: calyx yellow, linear-lanceolate, 15–20 mm long, subequally cleft into 4 linear-lanceolatelobes, 4–5 mm long; corolla 10–22 mm long, galea 4–6 mm long, lower lip 2–3 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAlpine tundra and fellfields.

Snow Indian PaintbrushCastilleja nivea

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# Observations: 715

General DescriptionPLANTS: Taprooted, annuals or rarely short-lived perennials that growin terrestrial habitats (Parkinson et al. 2011; Lesica et al. 2012).Stems are erect, branched, and grow about 20-100 cm tall (FNA 2006;Lesica et al. 2012). Plants are sparsely gray tomentose and resin-gland-dotted.

LEAVES: Leaves of the rosette (basal) and lower stem are long-petiolate, and often shrivel by maturity (FNA 2006; Lesica et al. 2012).Leaf blades are ovate, 3–12(20) cm long, and deeply pinnate (1 to 2times divided) into linear-oblanceolate lobes. Leaves become sessile,smaller, and less dissected upwards.

INFLORESCENCE: Paniculate with several heads of whitish (sometimespurplish) flowers that occur on the ends of leafy branches (Lesica2012; Sheley and Petroff 2009). Involucres are ovoid and 8–13 mm high. Involucral bracts (phyllaries) are palegreen, ovate to lanceolate, and glabrous or finely tomentose. The margins of the bracts (appendages) arefringed with spines and end with a long, spreading spine of 1-5mm long (FNA 2006; Sheley and Petroff 2009).

HabitatGrasslands, roadsides, meadows, open forest, woodlands; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementSuccessful management of diffuse knapweed requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant communitybe identified (Sheley and Petroff 1999). Once identified then an integrated weed management strategy thatpromotes a weed-resistant plant community and serves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage,wildlife habitat, or recreation can be developed, making control of diffuse knapweed possible.

BIOCONTOL [Adapted from Sheley and Petroff 1999]At least 200 insects are recommended for establishing a sustainable population. Infestations should be atleast 2 acres with sizeable populations. It may take 2-3 years for the insect population to establish.

In the U.S. 12 flower seedhead and root-boring insect species are known to attach diffuse knapweed. Knapweed Gall Flies (Urophora affinis, U. quadrifasciata) were released over 20 years ago in Montana and noware well-established in the western U.S. Flies have been shown to have high occupancy rates in the flowerheads, yet a reduction in seed production was not apparent.Knapweed Seed Head Weevils (Larinus minutus, L. obtusus) feed on foliage and flowers and are widelydistributed and established.Knapweed Root Boring Weevil (Cyphocleonus aschates) is well established. Larvae feed on taproots.Sulphur Knapweed Moth (Agapeta zoegana) is established in parts of Montana. Larvae of these moths feed onthe roots.Bronze Knapweed Root Borer (Sphenoptera jugoslavica) is well established in parts of Montana. On hot, drysites where there is competition with perennial plants, the larvae can weaken diffuse knapweed rosettes. It is

Diffuse KnapweedCentaurea diffusa

Range Non-native

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST1Y060

presumed to be less damaging on cooler, moister sites because female beetles need five days of highertemperatures to lay eggs and larvae survival improves with dry conditions.

CHEMICAL CONTROL [Adapted from Sheley and Petroff 1999]Herbicides are effective, especially when properly managed with other tactics. The herbicide type andconcentration, timing of chemical control, soil properties, and other factors will determine its effectiveness andimpact to non-target species. Strict adherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label willreduce risks to human and environmental health. Many herbicides must be applied by applicators with anAquatic Pest Control license. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for more informationon herbicidal control.

Herbicides are more effective when applied to the rosette stage. Registered herbicides for Diffuse Knapweedinclude: Picloram (0.25-0.50 pound per acre), clopyralid (0.25-0.50 pounds per acre), Curtail® (2-5 quarts peracre), and 2,4,-D (1-2 pounds per acre).

CULTURAL and GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Sheley and Petroff 1999]Hand-pulling that extracts the full taproot is effective, particularly when soil is moist. In the rosette stage,taproots that are severed directly below the root crown have a higher rate of re-growth than when severed 2-4inches below the crown. All plant material should be bagged, desiccated or burned, before placing in the trashfor disposal. Gloves should be worn to protect skin.

Mowing is not very effective at reducing seed production. When mowed in the early flowering stage plantsoften re-grow and produce abundant late-season seeds.

Burning can damage plants, but is not effective at preventing growth, germination, or flowering.

Grazing. Diffuse knapweed is more likely to be grazed: a) by sheep than by cattle, b) when it is green andsucculent (stages from rosette to flower bud), especially if adjacent vegetation is curing, and c) when it is theonly available plant. Grazing should be timed to minimize damage during critical stages of growth for thedesirable vegetation.

Revegetation that establishes a desirable perennial plant community will compete against diffuse knapweedfor water, nutrients, and light. Proper revegetation of disturbed sites are necessary to reduce knapweedpopulations.




PLANTS: Taprooted, rosette-forming perennials that grow in terrestrialhabitats (Parkinson et al. 2011). Stems are erect, branched, and growup to 100 cm tall (Lesica 2012). Plants are sparsely gray tomentoseand resin-gland-dotted (FNA 2006).

LEAVES: Leaves of the rosette (basal) and lower stem are long-petiolate (Lesica 2012). Leaf blades are ovate, 3–12 cm long, anddeeply pinnate (1 to 2 times divided) into linear-oblanceolate lobes.

INFLORESCENCE: Corymbiform with several heads of purplish flowersthat occur on the ends of leafy branches (Lesica 2012, Sheley and Petroff 2009). Involucres are ovoid and 8–13mm high. Involucral bracts (phyllaries) are spine-tipped. Bracts are also marked with fine vertical streaks andtipped with a dark comb-like fringe (Parkinson et al. 2011). Inner bracts are lanceolate with swollen tips(Lesica 2012).

Plants in North America are subspecies micranthos (FNA 2006).

HabitatGrasslands, roadsides, meadows, open forest, and woodlands, particularly where land has been disturbed(Lesica et al. 2012; FNA 2006). Plains, valleys, and montane (Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementSuccessful management of spotted knapweed requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant communitybe identified (Sheley and Petroff 1999). Once identified then an integrated weed management strategy thatpromotes a weed-resistant plant community and serves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage,wildlife habitat, or recreation can be developed, making control of spotted knapweed possible (Sheley andPetroff 1999).

PREVENTION [Adapted from Sheley and Petroff 1999]Spotted knapweed is spread by wind and movement through established stands. Preventing vehicles fromdriving through and animals from grazing within infested areas will reduce spread. Hay that is weed-free willreduce spread. Maintaining an intact plant community and reducing soil disturbance will prevent or slow downspread.

BIOCONTROL [Adapted from Jacobs 2007]At least 200 insects are recommended for establishing a sustainable population. Infestations should be atleast 2 acres with sizeable populations. It may take 2-3 years for the insect population to establish. Spottedknapweed is best controlled when at least two insects (specializing in seed heads and roots) are used

Spotted KnapweedCentaurea stoebe

Range Non-native

View in Field Guide


together. Bio-control insects have been shown in MT to reduce spotted knapweed populations, but control ismost effective when used in combination with other tactics. Mouse populations have increased in some areasas Knapweed seed head bio-control species have become their new food source.

In the U.S. 8 flower seedhead and 5 root-boring insect species have been approved for release as bio-controlon spotted knapweed.

Knapweed Gall Flies (Urophora affinis, U. quadrifasciata) were released over 20 years ago in Montana and noware well-established in the western U.S. They have been found to reduce seed production by 50%. Knapweed Seed Head Weevils (Larinus minutus, L. obtusus) feed on foliage and flowers and are widelydistributed and established.Knapweed Root Boring Weevil (Cyphocleonus aschates) is well established and larvae feed on taproots.Sulphur Knapweed Moth (Agapeta zoegana) is established in parts of Montana and prefer hot, dry, open siteswhere larvae attack roots.Bronze Knapweed Root Borer (Sphenoptera jugoslavica) is well established in parts of Montana and prefer hot,dry, open sites where larvae attack roots.

CHEMICAL CONTROL [Adapted from Sheley and Petroff 1999; Jacobs 2007]Herbicides are effective, especially when properly managed with other tactics. The herbicide type andconcentration, timing of chemical control, soil properties, and other factors will determine its effectiveness andimpact to non-target species. Strict adherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label willreduce risks to human and environmental health. Many herbicides must be applied by applicators with anAquatic Pest Control license. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for more informationon herbicidal control.

Picloram used at 0.25 pound per acre is the standard recommendation and can reduce spotted knapweedpopulations by 90% on loamy soils with a well-maintained grassland community. It cannot be used in sandysoils, near surface waters, or in areas with a high-water table. 2,4-D is a broadleaf-selective herbicide that works best when used after seeds germinate and before plantsdevelop flowers. Clopyralid or triclopyr herbicides do not injure non-target forbs.Aminopyralid is a more recently developed chemical that has a lower application rate and a shorter soil half-life.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Sheley and Petroff 1999; Jacobs 2007]Hand-pulling that extracts the full taproot is effective, particularly when soil is moist. All plant material shouldbe bagged and desiccated before placing in the trash for disposal. Gloves should be worn to protect skin.

Mowing after plants bolt and before flowering will reduce energy reserves and seed production. Repeatedmowing may be necessary. Mowed plants will develop flower heads below the mower blade’s height.

Tilling that severs the taproot near, but below the root crown can reduce populations. However, seedgermination may increase until the seed bank is gone.

Burning is not effective, and may stimulate growth or germination.

Revegetation that establishes a desirable perennial plant community will compete against Spotted Knapweedfor water, nutrients, and light. Proper revegetation of disturbed sites are necessary to reduce knapweedpopulations.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Sheley and Petroff 1999; Jacobs 2007]Plants can tolerate defoliation, but severe defoliation will reduce root, crown, and above ground growth.Grazing by cattle is not as effective as by sheep or goat. Cattle prefer grasses over spotted knapweed. Sheepand goats will eat more knapweed, especially when combined with other management tactics. Grazing an areafirst by cattle and later by sheep, increasing grazing pressures by using electrical fences, or irrigating landfollowed by repeated sheep grazing are some useful tactics to reduce knapweed. Animals grazing on knapweedshould be held for at least 5 days before moving to weed-free areas.




General DescriptionPerennial forming loose mats. Stems trailing or decumbent, branched above, 5–30 cm. Leaves lanceolate tooblong, 1–3 cm long with fascicled leaves below, Inflorescence glandular, several-flowered. Flowers: sepals 4–7mm long; petals 6–10 mm long. Capsule 7–11 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are subspecies strictum Gaudin.

HabitatGrasslands, steppe, dry open forest, meadows, turf ; all elevations (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Field ChickweedCerastium arvense

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCAR06050




General DescriptionAquatic, perennial, monoecious herbs without roots. Stems flaccid,floating, up to 3 m. Leaves 3 to 11 per node, 7–30 mm long, forked intofew linear, apiculate-toothed segments. Flowers unisexual, solitary inleaf axils; petals and sepals absent; involucre of 8 to 15 simple or forked, linear segments; stamens 3 to 50;pistil solitary. Fruit a 1-seeded achene, 4–6 mm long, narrowly elliptic and compressed with 1 terminal and twobasal spines, shorter to much longer than the body (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow to deep, fresh or brackish water of lakes, ponds, slow streams; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Common HornwortCeratophyllum demersum

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCER01010



# Observations: 230

General DescriptionEvergreen shrubs 1.5–5 m. Stems reddish, tomentose when young, becoming gray. Leaf blades linear, 1–3 cmlong, nearly glabrous above, white-lanate beneath with entire, inrolled margins. Flowers: hypanthium 4–6 mmlong, lanate, the limb reddish; sepals 1–2 mm long; stamens 15 to 25. Achene 5–10 mm long; the style 2–4cm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatStony slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, most common on limestone or sandstone; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Curl-leaf Mountain-mahoganyCercocarpus ledifolius

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# Observations: 112

General DescriptionStems erect, simple or branched, farinose, 10–100 cm. Leaf blades farinose, lanceolate to ovate, 1–6 cm long,margins at least partly dentate. Inflorescence glomerules, 2–4 mm across, in terminal and axillary compoundspikes. Flowers: calyx segments 5, united at the base, ca 1mm long; stamens 5. Seed round, smooth, 0.9–1.6mm (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRoadsides, fields, gardens; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

White GoosefootChenopodium album

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCHE09030



# Observations: 10

General DescriptionStems erect to prostrate, 5–50 cm. Leaf blades green, fleshy, glabrous, ovate to triangular-hastate, to 6 cmlong with entire to dentate margins. Inflorescence glomerules, 2–4 mm across, in axillary, simple to compoundspikes. Flowers: calyx 3- to 4-parted, segments green to red, nearly distinct, up to 1 mm long; stamens 2 to 3.Seed smooth, flattened-globose, 0.5–1.0 mm (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist, sometimes saline or disturbed soil; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Red GoosefootChenopodium rubrum

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCHE091Y0



# Observations: 449

General DescriptionStems spreading to erect, 10–50 cm, glabrous to puberulent; twigsbrittle, white; bark gray. Leaves alternate, entire, linear, usuallysomewhat twisted, glabrous to puberulent, resinous, 1–4 cm long with 3to 5 veins. Inflorescence tight-corymbiform with several heads on short peduncles. Heads discoid; involucresobconic, 4–9 mm high; phyllaries imbricate in 3 to 5 series, narrowly lanceolate, white to greenish; receptacleconvex, glabrous. Disk flowers 4 to 8, perfect, yellow; corolla 4–7 mm long, tube shorter than throat; stylebranches linear. Pappus barbellate, capillary bristles. Achenes obconic, 2–4 mm long, 5-angled, pubescent(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Lesica (2012) recognizes two subspecies, viscidiflora and lanceolatus (Nutt.) Hall & Clements.

HabitatSagebrush steppe, grasslands; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Sticky-leaf RabbitbrushChrysothamnus viscidiflorus

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST2C0E0

Noxious Weed: Priority2BNon-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SNA



General DescriptionPLANTS: Strongly rhizomatous, perennial forbs. Stems are erect, oftenbranched above, and 30–100 cm. Stems have sparse hairs (glabrate).Individual stems are unisexual. Source: Lesica et al. 2012

LEAVES: Basal leaves have regularly spaced, coarse, marginal hairs,and shallowly lobed. Stem leaves are alternately arranged with shortpetioles. Leaf blades are oblanceolate to elliptic, usually with crinklededges and spiny-toothed margins, very irregularly lobed, 3-15 cm long,and terminate in a spine. Leaves are sometimes tomentose beneath.Upper leaves become small and decurrent. The lowest leaves usuallybecome deciduous. Sources: Morishita in Sheley and Petroff 1999;Lesica et al. 2012.

INFLORESCENCE: Purple flower heads are arranged as several per stemin a corymbiform array with peduncles (stalks) of 0–4 cm long. Involucres are 1–2 cm high. Involucral bracts areimbricate in 6 to 8 rows. The outer bracts are ovate with a darkened resinous keel-tip. The inner bracts arelinear, Bracts either have short or absent spines. Source: Lesica et al. 2012

HabitatIn Montana it occurs in moist, usually disturbed soil of fields, meadows, thickets, roadsides, woodlands, openforests, often along streams, wetlands in the plains, valleys, and montane zones (Lesica et al. 2012).

It frequently occurs along roadsides, railroad rights-of-way, rangeland, forest land, lawns, gardens, cropland,abandoned fields, stream banks, lake shores, and other riparian habitats (Morishita in Sheley and Petroff1999). It infrequently occurs in sand dunes and open sandy areas (Morishita in Sheley and Petroff 1999). It hasbeen observed that the diversity of annual broadleaf species increases near patches of Canada thistle(Morishita in Sheley and Petroff 1999).

Canada Thistle grows best where temperatures range from 32 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and precipitation levelsrange from 16 to 30 inches per year (Moore 1975). It colonizes clay soils very well, is adaptable to many othersoil types, and is most productive in well-aerated soils (Morishita in Sheley and Petroff 1999). It tends tosurvive dry conditions better than wet conditions (Morishita in Sheley and Petroff 1999).

ManagementPersistent control over many years is required to eliminate Canada Thistle because of its extensive rootsystem. Combining cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical techniques will best exhaust the nutrients inits root system (but must be designed to the site’s specific conditions). An integrated vegetative managementapproach provides the best long-term control and requires that land-use objectives and a desired plantcommunity be identified (Shelly et al.in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Once identified an integrated weedmanagement strategy can be developed that can promote a weed-resistant plant community and serves otherland-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation.

Canada ThistleCirsium arvense

Range Non-native

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST2E090

PREVENTION [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2007]Preventing the establishment of Common St. John’s-wort can be accomplished by many practices:* Learn how to accurately identify Canada Thistle in order to detect occurrences and know where to implementcontrol methods.* Prevent vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas. * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to uninfestedareas.* Frequently monitor for new plants, and when found implement effective control methods.* Maintain proper grazing management that creates resilience to noxious weed invasion.* Do not pick the flowers or transport plants. Where possible, contribute to or develop educational campaignsto help eradicate or reduce Canada Thistle populations.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2007]Hand-pulling is effective for young populations if done several times each season to starve the root-system.Hand-pulling plants in combination with other control methods will likely be more successful at removing thepopulation.

Tilling fragments the rhizomes allowing Canada thistle to increase in abundance. Suppression might occurwhere tilled at 21-day intervals throughout the growing season followed by establishing perennial forage plantsor winter annual cereals; these plants emerge in early spring and can inhibit the emergence of late CanadaThistle shoots.

Revegetating land with competitive, locally adapted, and palatable grasses, legumes, or other desirable forbswill develop a plant community that is more resilient to Common St. John’s-wort. A program in Australia foundthat cultivation, fertilization, and re-seeding with a competitive perennial grass controlled Common St. John’s-wort over a 2 to 5 year time period. Plants do poorly in shaded environments. Sites that are re-forested canreduce populations, but will not completely eradicate plants. Revegetation in combination with other controlmethods can be more effective to eradicate or reduce this plant.

Prescribed Burning that is done in early spring can encourage growth (sprouting and reproduction). Prescribedburning in late spring (May to June) may help control Canada Thistleganic matter and deletes nutrients,creating conditions that favor its re-establishment.

Mowing can be effective when done 3 or more times during the growing season for several consecutive years.Mowing in combination with using herbicides such as piclorum, piclorum + 2,4-D, or Dicamba can be moreeffective. In Canada mowing Canada Thistle 3 or 4 times each year almost eliminated it after 3 years, but atother sites only worked to prevent flowering.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2007]Herbicides can be effective, especially when properly integrated with intensive pasture management. Theherbicide type and concentration, application time and method, environmental constraints, land use practices,local regulations, and other factors will determine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species. Strictadherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label will reduce risks to human andenvironmental health. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for information on herbicidalcontrol. Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.

Effective control of Canada Thistle requires that an appropriate toxic level of the active ingredient be put intothe root system. This means applying the appropriate herbicide on enough leaf area at a time when the planttranslocates it to the root system is necessary. Avoid mixing a fast-acting herbicide with a systemic herbicidebecause the foliage will die before the plant can move the active ingredient into the root system.

Herbicides can be applied in the bud stage or in fall re-growth. In the bud stage leaf area is maximized androot reserves are depleted. In the fall, translocation to the root system will be at its greatest. Canada Thistleplants convert starch into sugar in their roots. A study has found that a fall herbicide treatment can preventthe conversion of starch into sugars in the roots. The sugars act as an anti-freeze by preventing ice-crystalsfrom forming within root cells. W ithout sugars, roots are susceptible to winter kill. Applying the herbicide ontothe correct plant is important, because roots of crops (especially legumes) can also be damaged.

Aminopyralid, clopyralid, and Picloram provide similar suppression in pastures and rangelands when applied atlabel rates and at times when the plant can get it into the root system. Picloram is a restrict-use herbicidebecause it is persistent, yet mobile in the soil, and can contaminate water.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2007]Canada Thistle Stem Weevil (Hadroplontus litura) is a stem-boring weevil that attacks Canada Thistle rosettes.Adults lay a few eggs into a cavity (1-2.5 mm wide) on the underside of leaves that are at least 5 cm long overa 4 to 5 week period. Larvae emerge and mine down the leaf’s mid-veins into the root crown and sometimesthe upper root to feed on callus tissues. Older larvae mine the stem and then emerge to pupate, impactingroot reserves for overwintering (https://integratedweedcontrol.com). Canada Thistle Stem Weevil will cause themost damage if it attacks the stem before it grows. Larvae pupate in cocoons of soil particles and the adults


http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOLQD5M0

emerge in late summer to early fall to feed on the upper leaves and stems. They over-winter in soil litter, andin the spring will emerge to eat rosette leaves by puncturing them. While this will not usually kill the plant,the holes left in the root crown makes the plant susceptible to a fatal rust fungus.

Thistle Seed Head Weevil (Rhinocyllus conicus) is the most widely distributed insect for thistle control in theU.S.; however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits moving these weevils between states because itcan feed on native thistles. It has been shown to reduce 90-95% of thistles over an 8 to 9 year period.

Leaf Beetle (Altica carduorum) adults feed on all Cirsium species; although, it is predicted that it will favorCanada Thistle.

Canada Thistle Stem Gall Fly (Urophora cardui) adults lay eggs into stem tissue(https://integratedweedcontrol.com). The developing larvae then cause the plant’s formation of a hard woodygall, which takes energy from the plant. Stems, buds, foliage, and flowers above the galls are often malformedor stunted and prone to dry up ahead of unattacked stems, thereby, not contributing energy to root reserves.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2007]Canada Thistle leaves are spiny and unpalatable to most livestock, and thus grazing is not usually used tocontrol populations. However, in Australia intensive sheep grazing reduced the spread of Canada Thistle whencompared to ungrazed pastures. In Canada goats have been observed to eat plants, preventing it fromflowering.



http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOLL0010

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOL05280

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IIDIP4AB20




http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 59

General DescriptionTaprooted biennial. Stems erect, branched above or not, 30–100 cm,sometimes with spiny wings from leaf bases. Herbage tomentose toarachnoid, upper leaf surfaces sometimes sparsely so. Leaves short-petiolate; blade linear-oblanceolate, 8–25 cm long, pinnately lobed, becoming clasping or decurrent upward.Inflorescence heads 1 to few at tips of peduncles forming corymbiform arrays; peduncles 1–8 cm long.Involucres broadly campanulate, 15–30 mm high, sparsely arachnoid-tomentose; phyllaries imbricate in 6 to 10series, green, linear-lanceolate; sometimes with a darkened, often resinous midvein; spines 2–6 mm long,spreading. Disk corollas white to light purple, 15–26 mm long. Achenes 5–8 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSagebrush steppe, grasslands, open forest; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Gray Green ThistleCirsium canovirens

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST2E0H0



# Observations: 185

General DescriptionTaprooted biennial. Stems erect, often branched, 20–100 cm. Herbagearachnoid-tomentose throughout; stems and leaf undersides denselywhite-tomentose. Leaves petiolate; blade lanceolate to obovate, 5–20cm long, undulate, deeply pinnately lobed to subentire. Inflorescence:heads mostly solitary at stem tips, forming open corymbiform arrays; peduncles 1–10 cm long. Involucres ovoidto hemispheric, 25–35 mm high; phyllaries imbricate in 8 to 12 series, green; outer lanceolate, sparselyarachnoid mainly on the margins with a darkened, resinous keel and spreading spine-tip 3–5 mm long; innerlinear-lanceolate, acuminate. Disk corollas pink to purple, 25–40 mm long. Achenes 6–7 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, sagebrush steppe, roadsides; plains, valleys, lower montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX)

Wavyleaf ThistleCirsium undulatum

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST2E2Y0




General DescriptionTaprooted biennial. Stems erect, often branched, 30–120 cm. Herbage green, spreading-hirsute to sparselyarachnoid. Leaves short-petiolate; blades lanceolate to obovate, 5–30 cm long, deeply pinnately lobed withprominent whitish veins beneath. Inflorescence heads mostly solitary at stem tips, forming open corymbiformarrays; peduncles 1–8 cm long. Involucres campanulate, 25–40 mm high, sparsely arachnoid; phyllariesimbricate in 10 to 12 series, green, linear-lanceolate; outer keeled but not resinous with an erect or spreadingspine-tip 2–10 mm long; inner linear, acuminate. Disk corollas purple, 2–3 cm long. Achenes 3–5 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDisturbed meadows, thickets, roadsides; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).



Bull ThistleCirsium vulgare

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http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 202

General DescriptionPerennial from a globose corm, 5–40 mm across. Stems erect, 5–20 cm Basal leaf blades mostly 1 to 2,lanceolate, to 15 cm long, absent at flowering. Stem leaves broadly lanceolate to ovate, 2–7 cm long.Inflorescence single-bracteate below with spreading pedicels 1–3 cm long. Flowers: sepals 2–6 mm long;petals white with pink lines, 5–14 mm long. Capsule as long or longer than sepals with 3 to 6 seeds (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatVernally moist soil of grasslands, steppe, meadows, woodlands, thickets, open forest, avalanche slopes;montane to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

SpringbeautyClaytonia lanceolata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPOR03090



# Observations: 71

General DescriptionPerennial from globose tubers. Stems 10–30 cm. Basal leaves few orabsent, linear to narrowly lanceolate, 1-8 cm long; stem leaves sessile,linear to narrowly lanceolate, 2–10 cm long. Inflorescencemultibracteate. Flowers: sepals 3–5 mm long; petals white to yellow oryellow-orange spots at base. Seeds 1-2 mm diameter. (adapted from:Miller, 2003, in Fl. N. Amer., Vol. 4).

HabitatVernally moist soil of grasslands, steppe, meadows, open forest; montane to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rydberg’s SpringbeautyClaytonia multiscapa

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPOR030W0



# Observations: 184

General DescriptionStems erect, 15–50 cm at maturity. Leaves opposite, long-hairy; blades 2 to 3 times pinnately divided intolinear segments <5 mm wide. Flowers urn-shaped, perfect, nodding, solitary, terminal; sepals violet, 20–45mm long, tips recurved. Achene beaks 2–6 cm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen woods to mesic grasslands at mid elevations.

SugarbowlsClematis hirsutissima

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDRAN080E0



# Observations: 13

General DescriptionStems simple or branched, 15–80 cm. Leaves 3-foliolate; the leaflets 2–5 cm long. Flowers pink or purple,rarely white; calyx 2–3 mm long; petals 5–12 mm long; stamens 2 to 3 times as long as petals. Fruit broadlylinear, 2–6 cm long; the stipe 11–23 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSparsely-vegetated, often saline, sandy to clayey soil of grasslands, steppe, moist meadows, roadsides;plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rocky Mountain BeeplantCleome serrulata

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# Observations: 342

General DescriptionAnnual. Stems erect, 2–30 cm, often branched. Herbage glabrate, stems puberulent. Leaves all cauline,opposite, narrowly oblong, 7–40 mm long. Inflorescence cymose with 1 to several pedicellate flowers in axils ofupper leaves and leaf-like bracts. Flowers: calyx 3–6 mm long with 5 lanceolate lobes; corolla 4–9 mm long,blue and white, bilabiate with a broad spur at the base, upper lip erect, lower lip 3-lobed, saccate, the middlelobe tiny; stamens 4; style capitate. Capsule ovate, opening by 4 valves, 2–4 mm long with 2 to 4 seeds(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSparsely vegetated soil of forest openings, grasslands, meadows, rock outcrops; valleys to subalpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Small-flower Blue-eyed MaryCollinsia parviflora

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# Observations: 502

General DescriptionAnnual. Stems simple, erect, 7–50 cm. Herbage puberulent, glandular-pubescent above. Leaves sessile,alternate, linear-lanceolate, entire, 1–10 cm long. Inflorescence a dense, terminal cluster of sessile flowers.Flowers: calyx 3–5 mm long; corolla pink; tube 6–9 mm long; lobes 1–3 mm long; stamens unequally attached,mostly included in the corolla (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOften disturbed soil of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, meadows, pastures, open forest, thickets, rock outcrops,along streams; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Narrow-leaved CollomiaCollomia linearis

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PLANTS: A rhizomatous, perennial vine. Stems are pubescent,prostrate or twining, branched at the base, and grow 1-6 feet long.Stems are corrugated longitudinally with a thick cuticle. Sources: Jacob2007; Lesica et al. 2012.

LEAVES: Alternately arranged with blades 1-5 cm long and petioles(leaf stem) 5-25 mm long. Blades are arrowhead-shaped with roundedtips and 2 basal lobes that point backwards and outwards (sagittate).Margins are smooth (entire). Sources: Jacob 2007; Lesica et al. 2012.

INFLORESCENCE: Flowers are solitary and whitish, turning pinkish with age. The 5 petals are fused to form afunnel-shaped flower with almost indistinguishable lobes. The funnel-shape widens upward and flares outwardat the edges. The 5 sepals are green with pink margins and overlap. Flower stem (peduncle) is 1–5 cm longwith a pair of small bracts just below the flower. Source: Lesica et al. 2012.

The scientific name was given by Linnaeus in 1753. Convolvulus comes from a Latin verb “to roll together” or“to entwine” and arvensis is Latin adjective for “of the field” (Jacobs 2007). Since the time of Ancient Greeksthis plant has been given at least 84 names (Jacobs 2007). The Romans’ name meant “a large worm thatwraps itself in vines”. “Byndweeded” was first applied in England during the 1500s.

HabitatField Bindweed grows in cultivated fields, pastures, gardens, lawns, roadsides, railroad beds, and waste places(Jacobs 2007). It tolerates drought (Jacobs 2007). It grows best in rich, fertile soils that are dry to moderatelymoist, but will persist on poor, gravelly soils (Jacobs 2007). In Montana it is found in the plains and valleys(Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementPersistent control over many years is required to significantly suppress Field Bindweed because of its extensiveroot system. Combining techniques of cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls will best exhaustthe nutrients in its root system (but must be designed to the site’s specific conditions). An integratedvegetative management approach provides the best long-term control, and requires that land-use objectivesand a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al.in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Once identified anintegrated weed management strategy can be developed that can promote a weed-resistant plant communityand serves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation.

PREVENTION [Adapted from Sheley and Petroff 1999]Preventing the establishment of Field Bindweed can be accomplished by many practices:* Learn how to accurately identify Field Bindweed in order to detect occurrences and know where to implement

Field BindweedConvolvulus arvensis

Range Non-native

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control methods.* Prevent vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas. * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to uninfestedareas.* Frequently monitor for new plants, and when found implement effective control methods.* Maintain proper grazing management that creates resilience to noxious weed invasion.* Do not pick the flowers or transport plants. Where possible, contribute to or develop educational campaignsto help eradicate or reduce Field Bindweed populations.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2007]Hand-pulling is effective for young populations and small confined spaces if done several times each season tostarve the root-system. Hand-pulling plants in combination with other control methods will likely be moresuccessful at longer-term removal of the population.

Tilling fragments the rhizomes allowing Field Bindweed to increase in abundance. A chisel plow encourages re-growth of Field Bindweed. However, tilling every 8-12 days after re-growth for 3-5 consecutive years will reduceroot reserves and deplete the seed bank in the soil. Tilling the plant when in flower can be more effectivebecause root reserves of carbohydrates and nitrogen are at their lowest. Upon re-growth, a sweep plow can beused to remove top growth and keep it on the soil surface. After tilling, fields should be re-vegetated as soonas is practical. Appropriate herbicides could be used at the appropriate time to suppress or eradicate FieldBindweed.

Revegetating land with competitive, locally adapted, and desirable forbs and grasses or crops will suppressField Bindweed populations. Field Bindweed grows in full sunlight and can be suppressed by plants thatactively and densely grow in the spring, creating shade. Nonetheless, Field Bindweed will twine upwardsaround other plants, decreasing their competitive advantage. Establishing competitive, perennial grasses andforbs on disturbed land followed by a prescribed grazing management plant to maintain grass vigor willsuppress Field Bindweed and reduce spread by seed. Planting with appropriate native plants is highlyencouraged. Refer to Montana Plant Materials Technical Note 46, Seeding Rates for Conservation Species forMontana, and Extension Bulletin EB0019, Dryland Pasture Species for Montana and Wyoming for possiblespecies selection and seeding rates.

Mowing is not generally effective because plants grow along the ground and remain under the height of theblade. Timing mowing with flowering (to decrease seed production) is difficult because plants flowerthroughout the season and flowers are viable for one-day. Mowing can spread the biological control mite Aceriamalherbae.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacob 2007]Biotypes of Field Bindweeds have different tolerances to herbicides. Herbicides can suppress Field Bindweed,will not be 100% effective, and will be more effective when properly integrated with an intensive pasturemanagement. The herbicide type and concentration, application time and method, environmental constraints,land use practices, local regulations, and other factors will determine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species. Strict adherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label will reduce risks tohuman and environmental health. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for information onherbicidal control. Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.

Plants growing in high light and low humidity environments have a thicker leaf cuticle and will absorb lessherbicide than leaves of plants grown in a low light and high humidity environment. Herbicide absorptiondecreases when applied to dusty leaves in fields.

Picloram (1 quart per acre) or in combination with Glyphosate, 2,4-D, or Dicamba can control Field Bindweed forat least one year. u>Picloram is a restrict-use herbicide because it is persistent, yet mobile in the soil, and cancontaminate water and has a long-residual activity.

Many chemical types and techniques for controlling Field Bindweed in cropland are available by consulting yourCounty’s Farm Service agency, Weed Coordinators, and MSU extension service (Jacobs 2007).

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2007]Bindweed Gall Mite (Aceria malherbae) is native from central and southern Europe to northern Africa. Adults areminute (need a microscope), soft-bodied, and worm-like. They have ring-like body segments and 2-pairs of legson their head and thorax. The nymps look similar to adults but lack external genitalia. Adults and nymphys aredestructive to Field Bindweed. When attacked galls form on actively growing leaves, petioles, and stem tips.Infected leaves fold or twist upward along the mid-vein. Attacked buds don’t elongate, but will form a compactcluster of stunted leaves. Bindweed Gall Mites have multiple generations per year. Adults and nymphs over-winter on the root buds of Field Bindweed.

Bindweed Gall Mites can be collected as adults or nymphs during the growing season by selecting stems withgalls and then wrapping them around actively growing stem tips of Field Bindweed at other sites. Transplantingreleases in the spring or early summer will provides more time for establishment. Mowing can spread this mite.


http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=ILACA23010

Herbicide treatment and tilling can hurt it.

Field Bindweed Moth (Tyta luctuosa) is native from Europe to southern Scandinavia, Asia east to Turkistan andsouth into India, and Northern Africa. First generation adult moths emerge in May and are active until June.Second generation adult moths are active from July to September. Larvae are caterpillar-like and feed on theplant from May through September. At night they feed on Field Bindweed flowers and leaves and during the daythey feed on plant litter. Thus, it is the larvae that damage Field Bindweed plants. Both adults and larvaeover-winter on root buds of Field Bindweed. Numerous releases in 2002 in the U.S. have not successfullyestablished this insect.

Bindweed Gall Mite and Field Bindweed Moth can also attack other bindweed plants in the genusCalystegia. Information on attacks to non-target species should be shared with the Montana NaturalProgram Heritage Program Botanist.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2007]Horses may develop an intestinal fibrosis because of the alkaloid pseudotropine that is found in FieldBindweed. Cattle, sheep, and goats will eat the leaves and stems of Field Bindweed. Chickens and hogs willeat leaves, stems, exposed roots and rhizomes, and crowns. However ingestion will cause Field Bindweed tospread. It has been found that the hard seed coat can keep the seeds variable for 144 hours in migratoryanimals.



http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IILEYNM010




http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 900

General DescriptionBranching shrubs to 3 m. Twigs reddish, strigose at first becomingglaucous and then glabrous. Herbage sparsely strigose. Leavespetiolate; the blades pale beneath, 3–15 cm long with acuminate tips.Inflorescence a flat-topped compound cyme 3–10 cm across. Flowers: hypanthium 1–2 mm long; petals 2–4 mmlong. Drupe white to bluish, 1-seeded, 5–7 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are subspecies sericea.

HabitatMoist forest, thickets, especially along streams, avalanche slopes; plains, valleys to montane (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Red-osier DogwoodCornus sericea

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Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: S2?


# Observations: 50

General DescriptionHenderson's waferparsnip is a low, mat-forming perennial herb with abranched root crown covered in old leaf petioles. The petiolate leaves are all basal, 2-9 cm long and twicedivided into well-separated, narrow segments. Herbage is glabrous or slightly roughened. The naked stems are1-8 cm high, lax or erect. Small yellow flowers are born in a compound umbel subtended by 0-7 linear bracts.Each ultimate umbel is subtended by 3-7 narrow bracts, longer than the flowers. Fruits are elliptic, 2.5-5 mmlong with 8 thickened, longitudinal wings protruding up to 1 mm above the surface.

HabitatCymopterus hendersonii occurs in dry talus or skeletal soil of upper slopes and ridge crests at 2620-3000 m(8,600- 9600 ft.) in elevation. Associated vegetation is sparse and dominated by cushion plants. The plant isassociated with limestone in Madison Co. and with granite or metamorphic parent material in Ravalli Co.

Henderson's WavewingCymopterus hendersonii

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# Observations: 48

General DescriptionAcaulescent with a woody, branched caudex covered in old petioles. Herbage scabrous. Leaves long-petiolate;blades 1–5 cm long, lanceolate in outline, bipinnate; ultimate segments crowded, 1–2 mm long. Umbelssolitary, compact; peduncles 3–17 cm long, prostrate to ascending; rays 2–4 mm long; involucre absent;involucel bracts acuminate-ovate, 2–4 mm long, scarious-margined, united at the base. Flowers white; sepalsca. 0.5 mm long. Mericarps narrowly elliptic, 3–7 mm long; marginal wings wavy, 1–1.5 mm wide, wider thanthe dorsal ribs; oil tubes 5 to 6 per interval (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatGravelly soil of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, woodlands, open forest, fellfields; montane to alpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Snow Spring-parsleyCymopterus nivalis

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PLANTS: Taprooted, biennial or short-lived perennial forbs that aredensely hairy (villous) and have erect stems of 30–100 cm tall. Source:Lesica et al. 2012

LEAVES: Basal leaves are grey-green to dull green, petiolate, large, 7-25 cm long and 2-5 cm wide, and covered with dense soft hairs(villous). Blades are simple, have smooth (entire) margins, andoblanceolate to lanceolate in shape. Stem leaves are petiolate butbecome sessile upwards. Source: Jacobs and Sing 2007; Lesica et al.2012

INFLORESCENCE: Flowers arranged in racemes that grow from the axils of branches and tips of stems. Pedicelsare short and spreading to reflexed at maturity. Dark, reddish-purple (occasionally white) flowers are composed5 triangular-lobed sepals that are fused to form a star-shaped calyx, and 5 petals that are fused to form afunnel-shaped corolla. Flowers are 4–5 mm long and 6–9 mm across. In fruit sepals are oblong, 5–7 mm long.The 5 stamens alternate with the fornices. The pistil has a deeply lobed ovary and a single, short, and entirestyle. Nutlets are ovoid, 4–7 mm long, with barbed prickles that spread at maturity. Source: Jacobs and Sing2007; Lesica et al. 2012

The Greek words Kynos and glossa meaning ‘dog’ and ‘tongue’ combine to form Cynoglossum (Jacobs and Sing2007). It refers to the shape and texture of the basal leaves.

HabitatHound’s-tongue is found in disturbed ground of pastures, fields, roadsides, grasslands, meadows, woodlands,riparian thickets in Montana (Lesica et al. 2012). It occurs in the plains and valleys of Montana (Lesica et al.2012).

In England, plants occur on sandy soils and old dune-grasslands (Jacobs and Sing 2007). In the Netherlands ithas been reported from calcareous coastal dunes (Jacobs and Sing 2007).

ManagementCommon Hound’s-tongue establishes, grows, and expands it populations where land is disturbed (Jacobs andSing 2007). Plants are characterized as having a relatively low growth rate and weak ability to compete (Jacobsand Sing 2007). Thus, rapid restoration, reclamation, and/or revegetation of disturbed sites will prevent orreduce its establishment. Early detection and prevention of seed production are critical to avoiding problematicinfestations (Jacobs and Sing 2007).

Management should target the flowering stages to get control on the population (Jacob and Sing 2007). An

Common Hound's-tongueCynoglossum officinale

Range Non-native

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integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control; it requires that land-useobjectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al.in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Onceidentified an integrated weed management strategy can be developed. An integrated weed managementstrategy promotes a weed-resistant plant community and serves other land-use objectives such as livestockforage, wildlife habitat, or recreation can be developed, making control of Common Hound’s-tongue possible.

PREVENTION [Adapted from Jacobs and Sing 2007]Successful management seeks to control flowering to prevent seed formation and dispersal. Once establishedlarge infestations are difficult to control.

MECHANICAL and PHYSICAL CONTROL [Adapted from Jacobs and Sing 2007]Hand-pulling can be effective, especially for small infestations. It is best to pull plants before they produceseeds. Plants should be bagged and deposited in the landfill. Pulling plants with seeds (in fruit) easilydistributes them. Therefore, Plants with seeds should be bagged and burned, or bagged and allowed todesiccate or rot before disposing in the landfill. The general rule, regardless of species, is to wear gloves whenweeding. It is wise to protect one’s-self against the prickly seeds and high levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids bywearing gloves. Soil should be moist so that the entire taproot can be extracted. Roots left in the soil can re-sprout. Using a shovel might make pulling more effective because roots tend to break at the root crown.

Mowing will cut stems and reduce or prevent flowering/seeding, but will not remove plants (rosettes).

Prescribed Burning in late summer and early fall may reduce the spread of Common Hound’s-tongue because itcan damage or kill plants and seeds. However, the disturbance can maintain good conditions (bare soil, lowplant competition, and open canopy) for Common Hound’s-tongue to re-establish. Fire can promote seedgermination form the seedbank and taproots to re-grow. A revegetation plan that encourages competitive,desirable plants should be implemented as soon as is appropriate after the prescribed burn.

Where plants have invaded cropland, a single, shallow tilling can kill rosettes and root crowns.

Revegetating disturbed sites will prevent or greatly reduce establishment by Common Hound’s-tongue andmany other exotic plants. Sustainable suppression requires revegetating with desirable plants that competewell for light, water, and nutrients. Desirable vegetation should be appropriate for the management objectives,adapted to the site conditions, and be competitive. Planting with appropriate native plants is highlyencouraged. Refer to Montana Plant Materials Technical Note 46, Seeding Rates for Conservation Species forMontana, and Extension Bulletin EB0019, Dryland Pasture Species for Montana and Wyoming for possiblespecies selection and seeding rates.

Revegetating land should be used, appropriately, in combination with herbicide treatment, grazingmanagement, prescribed burning, hand-pulling and other control methods.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs and Sing 2007]Dicamba (but not picloram) and 2,4-D are auxin-type herbicides that can kill first-year rosettes. They are lesseffective on plants that have bolted. It is necessary to use a nonionic surfactant because the hairy leavesimpedes penetration by the herbicide.

Chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron and trisulfuron are effective at killing Common Hound’s-tongue plants at all growthstages. Metsulfuron (0.5 ounce per acre rate) applied at the first sign of flowering will kill plants and preventseed production. It is necessary to use a nonionic surfactant because the hairy leaves impedes penetration bythe herbicide.

Imazapic (8-12 ounces per acre) should be applied with 1 quart of methylated seed oil to rosettes or boltingplants.

Although Common Hound’s-tongue is normally ignored by livestock, herbicide treatment could make plantsmore palatable. Therefore, grazing by domesticated animals should be suspended for 2 weeks after herbicidetreatment to avoid potential poisoning.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs and Sing 2007]Livestock, sheep, and goats are not practical to use for controlling Common Hound’s-tongue. Plants are toxicand the risk of poisoning is possible. Using grazing management techniques to maintain healthy, viable plant communities will resist CommonHound’s-tongue invasion.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL [Adapted from Jacobs and Sing 2007]Since 1988 five biological control insects have been identified for controlling Common Hound’s-tongue: * Root-mining Hoverfly - Cheilosia pascuorum, * Hound’s-tongue Seed-feeding Weevil - Mogulones borraginis, * Hound’s-tongue Stem-feeding Weevil - Mogulones trisignatus, * Root-mining Flea Beetle - Longitarsus quadriguttatus, and

* Hound’s-tongue Root Mining Weevil - Mogulones cruciger.

The Root-mining Flea Beetle and Hound’s-tongue Root Mining Weevil were released in British Columbia,Canada from 1997 to 1998. The Hound’s-tongue Root Mining Weevil has established better and is nowdistributed in Alberta. They have been significantly effective in reducing Common Hound’s-tongue.

In the U.S. release of bio-control has not been approved. This is primarily because test results also showedthat insects damaged two native plants, Stickseed (Hackelia floribunda) and Miner’s Candle (Cryptanthaelosioides). There are also concerns that bio-control insects could hurt Cryptantha crassipes, a federally-listedendangered plant (not in Montana).






http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 221

General DescriptionCool season, perennial bunchgrass, commonly forms tussocks. Stems80–200 cm. Leaves: blades flat and lax to ascending, 4–8 mm wide;ligules membranous, 3–9 mm long; sheaths with overlapping marginsand dorsally keeled. Inflorescence a contracted secund panicle 4–20 cm long. Spikelets 5–8 mm long with 3 to6 florets. Lemmas 4–6 mm long, keeled and inconspicuously veined, awnless or awn-tipped; palea enclosed inlemma. Disarticulation above glumes; unit of dispersal the floret (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen meadows and open understory where moderately disturbed, including road and trailsides, as well as inlawns (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Orchard GrassDactylis glomerata

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# Observations: 904

General DescriptionStems 10–50 cm. Leaves: blades 1–4 mm wide; sheaths essentially hairless and collar hairy; ligule 0.5–0.7 mmlong. Inflorescence a contracted panicle or raceme 3–6 cm long, with 4 to 10 spikelets. Spikelets 11–15 mmlong, with 4 to 7 florets. Lemmas tightly enfolded by the glumes, 3–6 mm long, hairless except along margins,with awns 6–8 mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDry mountain meadows at middle to high elevations (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Timber OatgrassDanthonia intermedia

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Potential Species ofConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4G5T3T4State Rank: S3S4

Agency StatusUSFWS:USFS:BLM:MNPS Threat Rank: 3C-value:

# Observations: 53

General DescriptionLimestone Larkspur is a perennial 10-30 cm tall arising from deep roots branched at least 1 cm below the stemattachment. Leaves are on the lower 1/3 of the stem, with 2-7 basal leaves at the time of flowering. Leafblades are 1.5-7 cm long, round in outline, with few-many lobes, and glabrous to puberulent. Sepals are bright,dark blue, 16-21 mm long, and there is a cleft in the lower petals at least 2 mm deep.

HabitatShortgrass prairie and grass-sagebrush communities on limestone-derived soils, usually with coarse fragmentsat the surface, or on limestone outcrops. 1300-2100 m elevation.

Limestone LarkspurDelphinium bicolor ssp. calcicola

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# Observations: 28

General DescriptionStems hollow near the base, glabrous, glaucous, 25–60 cm from woodyroots. Leaves numerous; blades 4–8 cm wide; ultimate lobes narrow, to3 mm wide. Inflorescence with usually <30 flowers, most longer thantheir pedicels. Flowers with dark blue, nearly glabrous sepals 6–12 mm long, the tips cupped forward; petalsdeep blue, the upper with white margins, the lower cleft 1–2 mm long. Fruits 10–15 mm long, glabrous topuberulent (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMeadows, grasslands, steppe; montane to near treeline (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Electric Peak LarkspurDelphinium glaucescens

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# Observations: 429

General DescriptionPerennial. Stems 30–100 cm. Leaves: blades mostly 1.5–3 mm wide,ligules 2–10 mm long. Inflorescence an open panicle 8–25 cm long.Spikelets 3.5–6 mm long, glumes purplish but distally straw- or silvery-colored. Lemmas 2–5 mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatMontane to alpine meadows, in open dry understory to moist alpine meadows (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Tufted HairgrassDeschampsia cespitosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA220E0



# Observations: 148

General DescriptionAnnual or biennial. Stems 25–75 cm. Stem leaves 1–7 cm long, obovate to oblanceolate, bipinnate ortripinnate. Vestiture of sparse to dense, minute, branched hairs. Petals pale yellow, 2–3 mm long. Fruitascending-erect, 14–25 mm × =1 mm, linear; style =0.1 mm long; seeds 10 to 20 per locule in 1 row; pedicelsascending, 7–16 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDisturbed soil of fields, roadsides; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Herb SophiaDescurainia sophia

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# Observations: 122

General DescriptionWarm season, strongly rhizomatous perennial. Stems 10–40 cm. Leaves: blades 2–5 mm wide, flat andascending, distichously arranged, stiff and pungent-tipped. Inflorescence a contracted panicle or raceme, thestaminate inflorescence well exerted above leaves and the pistillate inflorescence 1–6 cm long and typicallyclustered among leaves, the two types of spikelets superficially similar, although the staminate averagingmore florets than the pistillate. Spikelets 10–17 mm long, with 5 to 16 florets; glumes faintly veined. Lemmas:4–6 mm long, many-veined, awnless, thin-textured in the staminate spikelet (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAlkali flats and less commonly in shrub steppe at lower elevations (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

SaltgrassDistichlis spicata

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# Observations: 316

General DescriptionScapes 6–30 cm. Leaves glabrous to glandular-hairy; the blade oblanceolate to spatulate, 1–10 cm long,entire. Umbel of 1 to 7 flowers; pedicels 1–6 cm long. Flowers: corolla lobes 6–18 mm long; connectivespurple, horizontally wrinkled; filaments 1 mm or less long, calyx glabrous to glandular. Capsule narrowlyobovoid to cylindric, 10–15 mm long, operculate (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Lesica (2012) recognizes varieties conjugens and viscidum (Piper) H. Mason ex H. St. John.

HabitatVernally moist soil of grasslands and dry, open forest; valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Bonneville ShootingstarDodecatheon conjugens

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPRI03040



# Observations: 359

General DescriptionScapes 2–40 cm. Leaves glabrous to glandular; the blade oblanceolateto obovate, 1–10 cm long, entire. Umbel glabrous to glandular, of 1 of 10 flowers; pedicels 5–45 mm long.Flowers: corolla lobes 6–16 mm long; connectives purple, smooth or longitudinally wrinkled; calyx glabrous,often purple-spotted. Capsule ovoid-cylindrical, 5–12 mm long, opening by 5 valves splitting to the tip (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands to wet meadows; valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Few-flowered ShootingstarDodecatheon pulchellum

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# Observations: 81

General DescriptionCushion-forming. Scapes 1 to 4, erect, 2–15 mm long, pubescent.Leaves ciliate to sparsely covered with short hairs, linear-lanceolate, 2–6 mm long. Flowers solitary, subtended by 0 to 2 bracts; calyx reddish;corolla 6–8 mm long, the lobes 4–7 mm long. (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatStony soil of exposed slopes, ridges in grasslands, fellfields; valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Mountain DouglasiaDouglasia montana

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# Observations: 16

General DescriptionCushion-forming perennial, the caudex clothed in old leaf bases. Stemssimple, 5–20 mm. Basal leaves oblanceolate, curved inward, 2–5 mmlong, entire. Stem leaves absent. Vestiture of simple, short, leaf cilia;otherwise glabrous. Petals yellow, fading to white, 3–4 mm long. Fruitascending, 4–6 × 2–3 mm, pubescent with stellate hairs; style 0.5–1 mm long; lower pedicels 1–3 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatStony soil of fellfields, turf, cliffs, exposed slopes; alpine, occasionally lower on exposed calcareous sites(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Yellowstone Whitlow-grassDraba incerta

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# Observations: 48

General DescriptionMat-forming perennial. Stems simple, 1–12 cm. Basal leavesoblanceolate, 3–10 mm long, entire. Stem leaves lacking. Vestiture ofsessile pectinate hairs often aligned parallel to the midvein, rarely withsome simple or forked cilia. Petals yellow, 3–6 mm long. Fruit ovate, ascending, 2–6 mm × 1.5–3 mm,pubescent with simple hairs; style 0.3–1 mm long; lower pedicels 2–12 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSparsely vegetated, stony soil of grasslands, open forest, rock outcrops, exposed slopes and ridges; montaneto alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Few-seed Whitlow-grassDraba oligosperma

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA111R0


Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T3State Rank: S3


# Observations: 60

General DescriptionSee species description.


Payson's Whitlow-grassDraba paysonii var. paysonii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA111W1


Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T4T5State Rank: SNR


# Observations: 61

General DescriptionSee species description.


Payson's DrabaDraba paysonii var. treleasii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA111W2

Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G3State Rank: S2S3


# Observations: 4

General DescriptionWind River draba is a mat-forming perennial with leaf rosettes at theends of numerous rootcrown branches which are clothed with old leafbases. The leafless stems are 2-4 cm high and arise from some of therosettes. The fleshy, narrowly egg-shaped leaves are 5-12 mm long and2-4 mm wide, have entire margins, and are densely covered withbranched hairs. 3-20 stalked flowers are borne at the tops of the stems. Each flower has 4 separate sepals, 4separate, yellow petals that are 4-5 mm long, and 4 long and 2 short stamens. The style is 1.0-1.5 mm long.The hairy, flattened, egg-shaped capsules are 5-8 mm long and are borne on ascending to spreading stalksthat are as long as the capsules.

HabitatDraba ventosa occurs in scree and shifting talus of slopes near or above treeline, often but not always onlimestone parent material. Associated species include Dryas octopetala, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Antennariaaromatica and Draba oligosperma.

Wind River DrabaDraba ventosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA112N0



# Observations: 200

General DescriptionLeaf blades lanceolate, 8–25 mm, crenate the entire length. Scapes 1–6cm high. Flowers erect; calyx lobes 5–8 mm long; petals white, elliptic,10–15 mm long, spreading. Achenes ca. 3 mm long; styles 15–25 mmlong (Juz.) Hulten (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Montana plants are subspecies hookeriana.

HabitatStony soil of exposed slopes, fellfields, moist turf; alpine, less common subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Eight-petal Mountain-avensDryas octopetala

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS0L030



# Observations: 189

General DescriptionPerennial from a simple or branched caudex. Stems erect, brown-hirsute and glandular, 25–80 cm. Leaf bladesoblong, 6–12 cm long, pinnately divided into 5 to 9 obovate, shallowly lobed, sparsely hairy leaflets.Inflorescence a narrow, stiffly erect, flat-topped, glandular-hairy cyme. Flowers: sepals ovate, 6–7 mm long;bracteoles narrower and shorter; petals white to pale yellow,7–9 mm long. Achenes smooth, ca. 1 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Lesica (2012) treats this species in the genus Drymocallis.

HabitatGrasslands, steppe, dry meadows, thickets, woodlands; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).)

Tall CinquefoilDrymocallis arguta

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS1B061



# Observations: 554

General DescriptionPerennial from a mostly branched caudex. Stems erect to ascending, hirsute and glandular-pubescent, 10–70cm. Leaf blades oblanceolate, pinnately divided into 5 to 7 obovate to suborbicular, glandular, dentate leaflets,6–60 mm long. Inflorescence a glandular cyme with spreading to ascending branches. Flowers: sepalslanceolate, 4–7 mm long; bracteoles shorter than the sepals; petals 5–10 mm long. Achenes smooth, <1 mmlong.

Lesica (2012) treats this species in Drymocallis and indicates three subspecies for Montana: subsp. glabrata(Rydb.) Sojak; subsp. glandulosa; and subsp. pseudorupestris (Rydb.) Sojak (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRocky soil of open forest, grasslands, meadows, outcrops; valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Sticky CinquefoilDrymocallis glandulosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS1B0S0

Regulated Weed:Priority 3Non-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: SNA



General DescriptionPLANTS: Large shrubs or small trees that grow to 8 meters tall. Stemsare thorny with a color and texture that is silvery-mealy becomingorange-brown. Source: Lesica et al. 2012

LEAVES: Alternately arranged. Blades are narrowly lanceolate withsmooth (entire) margins, white-mealy, silvery beneath, and 3–10 cmlong. Petioles are short. Source: Lesica et al. 2012

INFLORESCENCE: 1-4 stemmed (pedicillate) flowers grow in leaf axilsor on short first-year twigs. Flowers have 4-sepals that are silvery onthe outside and yellow within, and no petals. Sepals are 2-4mm long.The sepals and stamens form a tube (hypanthium) that surrounds butdoes not attach to the superior ovary (perigynous). The tube is 5–6mm long, silvery. The fruit is olive-like, becoming green. Source: Lesicaet al. 2012

HabitatIn Montana Russian Olive grows in woodlands, thickets, riparian forests, and moist meadows around wetlandsin the plains and valleys (Lesica et al. 2012). Plants grow in soils with low to moderate soluble saltconcentrations, and are somewhat tolerant of saline soil (Lesica and Miles 2001; Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementRussian Olive will likely continue to increase along Montana’s rivers because it is immune to beavers, is shade-tolerant, and can colonize a variety of moist habitats in the floodplains along our regulated and free-flowingfloodplains. It may likely replace cottonwood trees along rivers where overbank alluvial deposition provides theonly establishment for cottonwood seedlings (Lesica and Miles 2001). Russian Olive will tend to becomedominant in reaches where the riparian zone is less dynamic and the stream is entrenched or channelized(Lesica and Miles 2001). Eradicating mature Russian Olive trees every 10 years or all trees every 30 years couldbe an effective strategy to control is populations and affects on native wildlife and plants (Lesica and Miles2001).

PREVENTIONTo avoid the development of new infestations Russian Olive should not be planted near to riparian areas,overflow areas, or irrigation ditches (Lesica and Miles 2001).

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS Revegetation: Russian Olive is invasive, despite that it has a history of being used in restoration and otherimprovement-type land projects. There are many alternative species that should be used in conservationplantings and readers should consult Species Alternatives for Russian Olive in Conservation Plantings (Tober etal. 2006).

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999]The herbicide type and concentration, application time and method, environmental constraints, land usepractices, local regulations, and other factors will determine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species.

Russian OliveElaeagnus angustifolia

Range Non-native

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDELG01010

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/ndpmctn6469.pdf

Strict adherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label will reduce risks to human andenvironmental health. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for information on herbicidalcontrol. Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.







http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 164

General DescriptionSlenderly rhizomatous perennial. Stems ascending to erect, 1–25 cm, tufted. Spikelet 2–7 mm long with 3 to 15flowers. Scales purplish with a green midrib and hyaline margins, 1.5–2.5 mm long. Flowers: bristles 0 to 4,exceeding the achene; stigmas 3. Achenes grey, honeycombed, obovoid, ca. 1 mm long with a flattened,triangular tubercle (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMuddy shores or shallow water on margins of ponds, lakes, streams, ditches; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Least SpikerushEleocharis acicularis

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# Observations: 395

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems erect with purple bases, 7–90 cm solitary or few together. Spikelet 5–25 mmlong with numerous flowers. Scales brown to purple with a green or tan midrib, 2.5–4 mm long, the lowest 1 or2 empty, bract-like. Flowers: bristles 4 to 6, exceeding the achene; stigmas 2. Achenes yellow to brown,smooth, obovate, lenticular, 2–3 mm long including the short-stemmed triangular tubercle 0.5–1 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatVernally wet to shallow water of wet meadows, margins of lakes, ponds, marshes, fens; plains, valleys,montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Creeping SpikerushEleocharis palustris

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP091E0



# Observations: 125

General DescriptionShort-rhizomatous perennial. Stems erect, 5–25 cm, tufted. Spikelet 4–8 mm long with ca. 5 flowers. Scalesbrown to purple, 3–6 mm long, the lowest larger. Flowers: bristles absent or 3 to 6, longer or shorter than theachene; stigmas 3. Achenes brown, smooth, narrowly obovate, 3-sided, 2–3 mm long including the conicaltubercle confluent with the body (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Lesica (2012) treats this species as Eleocharis pauciflora (L.) Roem. & Schult.

HabitatMoist to wet, often peaty, often calcareous soil of fens, wet meadows, seeps; montane to rarely alpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Few-flower SpikerushEleocharis quinqueflora

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP091K0


Agency StatusUSFWS:USFS: SENSITIVEBLM:MNPS Threat Rank: 3C-value: 9

# Observations: 48

General DescriptionCaespitose perennial. Stems 10–80 cm, tufted, erect or arching,rooting at the tip and forming new plants. Spikelet 4–10 mm long withfew to many flowers. Scales 2–6 mm long, brown to purple with broadhyaline margins, rounded, the lowest empty. Flowers: bristles ca. 6,mostly equaling the achene; stigmas 3. Achenes green-grayish,smooth, obovoid, ca. 2 mm long with a conical tubercle confluent withthe body (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet, often alkaline soils, associated with warm springs or fens in thevalley and foothills zones.

Beaked SpikerushEleocharis rostellata

Range Year-round

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP091P0




General DescriptionLeaves 5–12 × 1.5–2.5 mm, minutely serrate, narrowly lanceolate and opposite below to more linear and 3-whorled above. Male flowers: spathe to 15 mm long, inflated above; sepals 3–5 mm long; petals 4–5 mm long;stamens 7 to 9. Female flowers: spathe 1–2 cm long, not inflated; sepals ca. 2 mm long, purplish; petals 2–3mm long. Capsule 5–6 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow to deep water of lakes, ponds, sloughs, slow streams; valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Broad WaterweedElodea canadensis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMHYD03030



# Observations: 128

General DescriptionBunchgrass. Stems 1–2 m tall, forming large bunches or tussocks.Leaves: blades 7–12 mm wide, usually flat. Inflorescence 8–22 cm long,the rachis continuous and erect. Spikelets mostly 3 (sometimes more)per node, 11–15 mm long; glumes narrow, gradually tapering from the base to a narrow pointed tip, about aslong as 1st lemma, veins not evident or with a single vein. Lemmas mostly 3 to 5 per spikelet, sparsely shorthairy, awnless or with a short awn to 5 mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen shrub steppe to open montane understory, in theory near seeps, as well as moderately disturbed sitessuch as along rural roads subject to little disturbance (e.g., grading, spraying, etc.). (Lavin in Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Great Basin WildryeElymus cinereus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA6P060



# Observations: 278

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems usually glaucous, 35–80 cm. Leaves: blades 2–5mm wide, often stiff and somewhat inrolled, leaf sheaths and collaroften hairy. Inflorescence 3–15 cm long, rachis continuous, internodes<10 mm long. Spikelets 10–29 mm long, appressed to the main rachis,florets mostly 4 to 9, glumes shorter than florets, broadest above thebase and shortly tapering to an acute tip. Lemmas sparsely to densely hairy, awn-tipped or with an awn up to5 (–10) mm (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen dry sites at lower elevations (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Thickspike WheatgrassElymus lanceolatus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA2H0S0



# Observations: 184

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems slender, 0.7–1.1 m. Leaves: blades 4–11 mm wide,flat, lax to ascending, sheaths often with retrorse soft hairs.Inflorescence 5–13 cm long, rachis continuous, slender, the internodes<10 mm long. Spikelets 9–16 mm long, appressed to the rachis, florets 3 to 7 per spikelet, glumes shorterthan florets, tapering to an awn tip. Lemmas tapering to an awn-tip (rarely unawned) or with an awn usuallyabout 5 (–10) mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist disturbed settings especially around lawns, in gardens, along roadsides, and riparian areas from lower tomiddle elevations (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

QuackgrassElymus repens

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# Observations: 29

General DescriptionBunchgrass. Stems prostrate to strongly decumbent, 20–40 cm. Leaves:blades 2–4 mm wide, flat to commonly inrolled, sheaths and collarusually hairless. Inflorescence 3.5–8 cm long, rachis slender anddisarticulating at maturity, the internodes much <10 mm long. Spikelets 11–15 mm long, appressed to themain rachis, florets 3 to 6 per spikelet, glumes shorter than florets, tapering to an awn 12–18 mm long.Lemmas tapering to an awn 15–25 mm long, the awns strongly divergent at maturity (Lavin in Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOn exposed slopes especially in the subalpine to alpine (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Scribner's WildryeElymus scribneri

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General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems mostly hairless and usually glaucous, 35–80 cm;blades 2–5 mm wide, often stiff and inrolled, sheaths and collar oftenhairless. Inflorescence 3–15 cm long, rachis continuous, the internodes<10 mm long. Spikelets (sometimes 2 per node) 10–29 mm long, appressed to the main rachis, florets mostly4 to 9 per spikelet, glumes shorter than to as long as florets, rigid and gradually long-tapering from the baseto a narrow sharp tip (the acuminate tip is often slightly curved). Lemmas awn-tipped or with an awn up to 5(–10) mm (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen dry settings, often where historically disturbed (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Western WheatgrassElymus smithii

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General DescriptionBunchgrass. Stems 3–9 dm. Leaves: blades 1–3 mm wide, flat to rolled,sheath and collar often hairless. Inflorescence 4–20 cm long, rachiscontinuous, internodes >10 mm long. Spikelets 10–15(–26) mm long,appressed to the main rachis, florets mostly 3 to 7 per spikelet, glumes shorter than florets, awnless or short-awned. Lemmas hairless to inconspicuously hairy, with a divergent awn up to 2 cm long, rarely awnless (Lavinin Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen dry vegetation to open understory (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Bluebunch WheatgrassElymus spicatus

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# Observations: 546

General DescriptionBunchgrass. Stems erect to sometimes decumbent, 3–10 dm. Leaf blades 3–8 mm wide, flat to rolled,ascending, leaf sheath and collar often hairless. Inflorescence 5–20 cm long, rachis continuous, the internodes<10 mm long. Spikelets (9–)12–18 mm long, appressed to the main rachis, florets mostly 3 to 7 per spikelet,glumes often nearly as long or longer than florets, glumes awn-tipped to long awned. Lemmas awn-tipped orsometimes with a straight awn up to 20 mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen dry sites at lower elevations to the subalpine but ecologically confined to disturbance-prone settings(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Slender WheatgrassElymus trachycaulus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA2H0Q0

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4G5State Rank: SU


# Observations: 46

General DescriptionPlants: Cool season perennial with long, slender rhizomes (seldom short), forming large, loose clumps (Lavin inLesica 2012), glaucous or sometimes green. Stems 30–70 (120) cm in length (Cronquist et al. 1977), usuallyexceeding the spikes, 1.8–3 mm in diameter, (FNA 2007), with smooth to stiffly-haired or densely puberulentsheaths (Hitchcock et al. 1969).

Leaves: Blades stiff, flat to slightly inrolled, somewhat rough above, approx. 3-8 mm (-10 in cultivation) wide(Lavin in Lesica 2012), 10-35 cm in length, veins 11-27, subequal and tightly spaced (FNA 2007). Ligules eroseto ciliolate (Cronquist et al. 1977), 0.2-1.3 mm in length. Auricles up to 1 mm in length (FNA 2007), oftenclasping the stem (Cronquist et al. 1977).

Inflorescence: Spike erect, open to dense, slender, occasionally compound (Cronquist et al. 1977), (5 )7 – 20cm in length (Hitchcock et al. 1969). Internodes mostly glabrous and fringed with fine hairs, lower ones 5-11.5mm long (FNA 2007).

(Lavin's contribution adapted from Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX.)

HabitatDry to moist disturbed or overgrazed mountain meadows (sometimes saline), river bottoms, sand dunes(Hitchcock et al. 1969; Lavin in Lesica 2012).


Beardless WildryeElymus triticoides

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA6P0E0


Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: S3S4


# Observations: 101

General DescriptionPerennial with fine, white roots. Stems erect, 7–40 cm. Herbagestrigilose to glabrate. Leaves opposite, linear to lanceolate, sessile, 1–7 cm long, entire to remotely serrulate. Inflorescence a few- to many-flowered, canescent-strigose raceme. Flowers white to pink; hypanthiumca. 1 mm long, puberulent; sepals 2–4 mm long; petals 3–6 mm long.Capsule pedicelate, 3–9 cm long, canescent; seeds papillose with apersistent coma (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are varieties palustre and gracile (Farw.) Dorn.

HabitatWet meadows, fens, wetlands; valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Marsh WillowherbEpilobium palustre

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDONA06240



# Observations: 111

General DescriptionStems monomorphic, hollow, usually unbranched, annual, 20–100 cm × 2-8 mm with 10 to 32 ridges. Sheathsgreen with a terminal black band, the black teeth quickly deciduous. Strobili 10–20 mm, usually blunt. Stemsare lighter green and less leathery than those of Equisetum hyemale (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist grasslands, woodlands, vernally inundated depressions, roadsides; plains, valleys to montane (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Smooth Scouring-rushEquisetum laevigatum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPEQU01040



# Observations: 553

General DescriptionPlants 0.5–2 m. Stems ascending to erect, 1–2 m; twigs glabrate totomentose. Leaves linear, 1–6 cm long, glabrous to tomentose; axillaryfascicles absent. Inflorescence corymbiform, rounded. Involucresobconic, 6–12 mm high; phyllaries imbricate, lanceolate, mostly whitish, resinous, glabrate to tomentose. Raysabsent. Disk flowers 4 to 6; corolla 5–10 mm long. Achenes tubular-obconic, 3–8 mm long, hairy (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are varieties nauseosa, speciosa (Nutt.) G.L. Nesom & G.I. Baird, oreophila (A. Nelson) G.L. Nesom& G.I. Baird, or graveolens (Nutt.) Reveal & Schuyler

HabitatGrasslands, sagebrush steppe, badlands (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Rubber RabbitbrushEricameria nauseosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST2C0G0



# Observations: 318

General DescriptionTaprooted perennial with a usually branched caudex. Stems ascendingto erect, 2–25 cm. Herbage hirsute, rarely glabrate, often glandular.Leaves mostly basal; blades obovate, 5–25 mm long, 1 to 3 timesdivided into crowded to well-separated, linear-oblanceolate tooblanceolate lobes. Heads solitary, radiate or disciform. Involucres campanulate, 5–9 mm high; phyllaries in 2to 3 series, glandular, hirsute, often purple-tipped. Rays 20 to 60, usually white; ligules 0–10 mm long. Diskcorollas 3–4 mm long. Achenes 2–3 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatSandy or rocky soil of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, outcrops, open slopes, fellfields; all elevations (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Cutleaf FleabaneErigeron compositus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST3M0Y0




# Observations: 6

General DescriptionFibrous-rooted perennial from a short rhizome. Stems ascending, 10–40cm. Herbage glabrate to sparsely villous-hirsute, glandular above.Leaves basal and cauline; blades oblanceolate to oblong, 2–8 cm long,entire, sessile, lanceolate above. Heads 1 or few, radiate. Involucreshemispheric, 5–8 mm high; phyllaries in 2 to 3 series, minutelystipitate-glandular. Rays 75 to 150, pink to purple; ligules 8–15 mmlong. Disk corollas 3–5 mm long. Achenes ca. 2 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMeadows and forest openings in the montane and subalpine zones.

Beautiful FleabaneErigeron formosissimus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST3M1K0



# Observations: 63

General DescriptionFibrous-rooted perennial from slender branched caudex. Stems ascending, 5–20 cm. Herbage sparsely strigose,eglandular. Leaves basal and cauline; blades linear to linear-oblanceolate, entire, 1–8 cm long, becominglinear-lanceolate above. Heads radiate, solitary. Involucres hemispheric, 5–8 mm high; phyllaries in 2 or 3series, strigose, eglandular. Rays 40 to 100, blue or purple; ligules 5–12 mm long. Disk corollas 3–5 mm long.Achenes ca. 2 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMeadows, grasslands, sagebrush steppe and rocky slopes primarily in the subalpine zone.

Slender FleabaneErigeron gracilis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST3M1R0



# Observations: 5

General DescriptionSmooth Fleabane is an herbaceous perennial. Its unbranched, lax stems reach up to 15 cm high and arise froma branched rootcrown that surmounts a taproot. The basal leaves are up to 7 cm long and have a petiole and anarrowly elliptic to lance-shaped blade; those of the upper stem are smaller and narrower. Foliage is glabrousto sparsely hairy. A single flower head is borne at the top of each stem. Heads have a single series of narrowlylance-shaped, glandular involucral bracts that are 4-6 mm long. There are 15-60 white to blue rays, 6-11 mmlong, and numerous yellow disk flowers, ca. 3-4 mm long. The achenes have 15-25 fine, long bristles and a fewshort ones, forming a pappus on top.

HabitatRocky soil or talus in the alpine zone.

Smooth FleabaneErigeron leiomerus

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Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: S5


# Observations: 219

General DescriptionTaprooted perennial usually with a simple caudex. Stems erect, oftendecumbent, 2–25 cm. Herbage strigose to glabrate. Leaves basal andfew or many cauline; blades linear to linear-oblanceolate, entire, 1–6cm long. Heads radiate, solitary, rarely 2. Involucres campanulate, 5–7 mm high; phyllaries in 3 or 4 series,minutely glandular, appressed-villous with white-septate hairs. Rays 30 to 60, usually white, sometimes blue;ligules 4–8 mm long. Disk corollas 3–4 mm long. Achenes 2–3 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Montana has varieties ochroleucus and scribneri (Canby ex Rybd.) Cronquist

HabitatDry, stony soil of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, woodlands, fellfields, open forest; all elevations (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Buff FleabaneErigeron ochroleucus

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Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G2G3State Rank: S2S3


# Observations: 34

General DescriptionTaprooted perennial with a simple or branched caudex. Stems erect, 2–15 cm. Herbage hirsute with ascendingto spreading hairs. Leaves basal and cauline, linear, entire, 1–6 cm long. Heads 1 to 3, radiate. Involucreshemispheric, 4–9 mm high; phyllaries in 1 or 2 series, densely hirsute with white-septate hairs, minutelyglandular. Rays 20 to 40, white, usually erect; ligules 5–8 mm long. Disk corollas 2–4 mm long. Achenes ca. 2mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatErigeron parryi occurs on skeletal, limestone-derived soils of ridge crests, slopes and outcrops at 4,500-7,000feet. Associated vegetation is sparse and dominated by cushion plants, other low forbs and bluebunchwheatgrass. Dominant vegetation in nearby areas with more developed soils is sagebrush steppe or juniperwoodland.

Parry's FleabaneErigeron parryi

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# Observations: 161

General DescriptionFibrous-rooted perennial from a short rhizome. Stems erect, 3–50 cm. Herbage glabrate to sparsely strigosebelow the inflorescence. Leaves basal and cauline; blades oblanceolate to ovate, 2–15 cm long, entire,becoming clasping above. Heads radiate, usually solitary (2 to 4). Involucres hemispheric, 6–12 mm high;phyllaries in 2 or 3 series, stipitate-glandular. Rays 30 to 80, blue to purple; ligules 8–20 mm long. Diskcorollas 3–6 mm long. Achenes ca. 2.5 mm long; pappus in 1 series (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows, turf, open forest, thickets, often where snow lies late; upper montane, alpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Subalpine FleabaneErigeron peregrinus

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# Observations: 11

General DescriptionTaprooted perennial with a usually branched caudex. Stems ascending to erect, 2–6 cm. Herbage leavesglabrate; stems densely strigose. Leaves mostly basal, linear-oblanceolate, entire, 1–5 cm long. Headssolitary, radiate. Involucres hemispheric, 4–7 mm high; phyllaries in 2 or 3 series, villous-hirsute with purple-septate hairs, sometimes minutely glandular. Rays 20 to 45, white; ligules 4–7 mm long. Disk corollas 2.5–3mm long. Achenes ca. 2 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatDry, rocky sites in the alpine and subalpine; commonly on limestone.

Taprooted FleabaneErigeron radicatus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST3M3L0



# Observations: 8

General DescriptionFibrous-rooted perennial from slender branched caudex. Stemsascending, 4–20 cm. Herbage sparsely strigose, glandular above. Leavesbasal and cauline; blades linear to narrowly oblanceolate, entire, 1–5cm long, becoming linear above. Heads radiate, solitary. Involucres hemispheric, 5–8 mm high; phyllaries in 2or 3 series, sparsely villous, minutely glandular, often reflexed. Rays 30 to 100, blue or purple; ligules 6–9 mmlong. Disk corollas 3–4 mm long. Achenes 1–2 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatTurf, grasslands, meadows, open forest; subalpine, alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Bear River FleabaneErigeron ursinus

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# Observations: 188

General DescriptionPerennial, often forming small cushions from a tightly-branched caudex. Flowering stems erect to ascending,tomentose, 2–35 cm, clothed in old leaves at the base. Leaves basal, long-petiolate; the blade 2–20 mm long,oblanceolate to orbicular, tomentose. Inflorescence capitate to rarely umbellate, bracts scale-like; involucres 1to many per cluster, tomentose, 2–4 mm long with 5 erect lobes. Flowers 2–5 mm long, white, yellow, or rose,cup-shaped; tepals glabrous, the outer much broader than the inner; stamens not exserted. Achenes 2–3 mmlong (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Plants in MT are varieties ovalifolium, depressum Blank., ochroleucum(Small ex Rydb.) M.E. Peck, pansumReveal, or purpureum (Nutt.) Dur.

HabitatStony soil of grasslands, steppe, outcrops, exposed ridges and slopes (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Oval-leaved BuckwheatEriogonum ovalifolium

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPGN084F0



# Observations: 44

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems 15–50 cm. Leaves: flat; blades 2–5 mm wide. Inflorescence 2 to 8 nodding, pedunculatespikelets; bracts 2 or more, leaf-like as long as the inflorescence. Spikelets 1–2 cm long in fruit; lowest scalesmaller than the spikelet. Fertile scales brown to greenish black with a pale midvein not reaching the tip, 5–10mm long. Bristles white. Achene 2–5 mm long, minutely apiculate (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOrganic soil of fens, wet meadows; valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Narrowleaf Cotton-grassEriophorum angustifolium

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# Observations: 67

General DescriptionStems erect to ascending, 1–10 cm. Herbage sericeous. Leaves 4–10mm long, rounded at the tip; hairs denser toward the tip. Flowers: calyx 2–2.5 mm long; corolla 2–4 mm long,the limb 4–8 mm wide. Nutlets ca. 2 mm long, smooth (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety elongatum (Rydb.) Cronquist.

HabitatFellfields, rock outcrops; alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Alpine Forget-me-notEritrichium nanum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBOR0F030



# Observations: 679

General DescriptionScapose, glabrous perennials from slender bulbs. Scape erect, 7–30 cm, ebracteate. Leaves 2, basal, short-petiolate; the blade 5–20 cm long, narrowly elliptic, fleshy. Inflorescence solitary or few terminal, noddingflowers. Flowers regular, narrowly campanulate, opening to star-shaped in full sun; tepals yellow, rarely white,separate, narrowly lanceolate, 15–40 mm long, reflexed during the day; stamens shorter than tepals; anthersyellow or red; stigma capitate or 3-lobed. Fruit an erect, oblong-ovoid, 3-lobed, many-seeded capsule 25–50long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

We have varieties grandiflorum and candidum (Piper) Abrams.

HabitatMostly montane to subapline.

Glacier LilyErythronium grandiflorum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMLIL0U050

Noxious Weed: Priority2BNon-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRTNRState Rank: SNA



PLANTS: Glabrous, perennial forb with spreading roots and branchedstems that are 30–80 cm tall. Plants produce vegetative and floweringstems that when cut exude a white, milky latex. Stems are pale greento blue-green. Sources: Jacobs 2007; Lesica et al. 2012

LEAVES: Stem leaves are alternately arranged and sessile or with veryshort petioles. Leaf blades are green to blue-green, linear-oblanceolate in shape, 2–6 cm long, and have entire (smooth)margins. When cut leaves cut exude a white, milky latex. Sources:Jacobs 2007; Lesica et al. 2012

INFLORESCENCE: A terminal umbel of yellow-green, ovate bracts containing inconspicuous flowers that lackpetals and sepals. The bracts are 8-16 mm long. Above the bracts, the true flowers are green and occur withina cup-like involucre called a cyathium (plural is cyathia). Each cyathium contains one seed (female) flower, 3(male) pollen flowers, are 2–3 mm long, and have 4 yellowish glands with a lunate appendage. Fruits are acapsule, about 4 mm long, lobed and nearly smooth. Sources: Jacobs 2007; Lesica et al. 2012

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, woodlands, and riparian forests in the plains and valleys of Montana (Lesica et al.2012).

ManagementAn integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control for Leafy Spurge. Itrequires that land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al. in Sheley andPetroff 1999). Once identified the integrated weed management strategy can promote a weed-resistant plantcommunity that serves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation (Shellyet al. in Sheley and Petroff1999).

PREVENTION [Adapted from Lajeunesse et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Preventing the establishment of Leafy Spurge can be accomplished by many practices:* Learn how to accurately identify Leafy Spurge in order to detect occurrences and know where to implementcontrol methods.* Prevent vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas. * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to uninfestedareas.* Frequently monitor for new plants, and when found implement effective control methods.* Maintain proper grazing management that creates resilience to noxious weed invasion.* Use certified weed-free seeds and hay, including feed for pack animals.

Leafy SpurgeEuphorbia virgata

Range Non-native

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* Before moving animals from infested areas, hold cattle for 6 days and sheep for 11 days in corrals orpastures to allow seed to pass through the digestive tract before moving to uninfested areas. Monitor andtreat the holding area for emerging Leafy Spurge.* Do not pick the flowers or transport plants. Where possible, contribute to or develop educational campaignsto help eradicate or reduce Leafy Spurge populations.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Lajeunesse et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999]

Hand-pulling can be done for small infestations. However, it is considered ineffective because of the deepdepth of the root system and its numerous buds.

Mowing may remove flowering stems, but is ineffective for controlling Leafy Spurge because it re-sprouts frombuds on the spreading roots.

Tilling can be effective if done intensively throughout the growing season or only during fall. The intensiveprogram would begin in the spring, use a duckfoot cultivator that tills 4 inches deep, and repeats the tillingevery 3 weeks until the soil freezes for 1 to 2 growing season. The schedule must not be interrupted becausefragmented rootstock will quickly re-sprout. Machinery must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent contaminated thefield and other areas. Fall-only cultivation would occur in the autumn when Leafy Spurge is 3-6 inches tall,cultivate 1-2 times after harvest, and for 3 years. Fall-only cultivation allows crops to grow, limits organicmatter degradation, and reduces soil erosion. Combining the Fall-only cultivation with other methods couldprovide better control.

Prescribed burning by itself is ineffective for controlling Leafy Spurge because fire stimulates seed germinationand re-sprouting of the buds on the root crown and spreading roots. However, herbicide absorption might beimproved when integrated with a burning plan. Burning removes all of the above-ground biomass and providesa uniform surface for re-growth to be seen and for the herbicide to be applied uniformly. After burning about 5weeks of re-growth should occur before the herbicide is applied. The combination does not control Leafy Spurgeany better, but provides a better surface for herbicides to be applied and absorbed into the plant.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs 2007]14 insects have been approved for introduction into the U.S. as biological control for leafy spurge by the U.S.Department of Agriculture.

Of all the biocontrol insects for Leafy Spurge Aphthona Flea Beetles are widespread and have reduced LeafySpurge the most in Montana. The exception is Minute Spurge Flea Beetle (Aphthona abdominalis) which isreported as not established in Montana and not available in the U.S. The Leafy Spurge Flea Beetles are capableof surviving cold, sub-freezing winter temperatures. Larvae of Aphthona Flea Beetles develop in the soil, andcool soil temperatures can delay development and establishment. Herbicide applications, grazing, or mowingthat reduces the density of Leafy Spurge has been observed to improve flea beetle establishment. Ants arepredators on these insects and releases should not occur where there are ant mounds.Some bio-control companies sell or provide mixed releases to boost success since release sites vary in soiltype, canopy cover, and moisture.

* Brown Dot Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle (Aphthona cyparissiae): Best where soils are 40 to 60 % sand and LeafySpurge stems are taller than 21 inches and 50-121 stems per square yard based on research in Canada. GreenNeedle Grass (Stipa viridula) is an indicator of suitable habitat in Canada.

* Black Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle (Aphthona czwalinae): It not does establish well in clay or acidic soils or indeeply shaded areas.

* Copper Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle (Aphthona flava)

* Brown-legged Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle (Aphthona lacertosa): Best where sites are open, sunny, mesic tomoderately dry, but can do well on wet sites too.

* Black Dot Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle (Aphthona nigriscutis): Best suited for dry sites with full solar exposure,well-drained soils with less than 3% organic matter, and Leafy Spurge plants of less than 30 inches tall andfewer than 60 stems per square yard (Jacobs 2007). It has been found to feed on the native Euphorbiabrachycera, which is a plant that occurs in Montana.

Clearwing Moth (Chamaesphecia crassicornis): Moth where larvae attack roots and stems.

Hungarian Clearwing Moth (Chamaesphecia hungarica): Moth where larvae attack roots.

Spurge Hawkmoth (Hyles euphorbiae): Best where Leafy Spurge plants are dense within open areas near trees.Larvae consume leaves and can kill the plants. Larvae pass through five growth stages before becoming adults.Larvae have toxins that deter predators; however, their pupae are eaten by birds, ground squirrels, and othersmall mammals.

Red-headed Leafy Spurge Stem Borer (Oberea erythrocephala): It seems to establish best in riparian areas andmesic sites with trees. When adults lay eggs they girdle and often kill Leafy Spurge stems. Larvae will killstems when feeding, which reduces the plant’s ability to store energy or produce seeds. They are compatiblewith Apthona Flea Beetles, causing greater negative impacts to Leafy Spurge.

Leafy Spurge Tip Gall Midges (Spurgia esulae): Best where sites are have cooler areas (partially shaded) withdense Leafy Spurge. The insect forms a gall at the tip of the stem. From the gall larvae attack the growingshoot tips, which prevents flowering but stimulates branching and shoot re-growth. The insect can produce upto three generations each summer which attack the new shoots.



# Observations: 15

General DescriptionBunch grasses mostly 8-35 cm tall. Culms erect, sometimes sparselyscabrous or puberulent near the inflorescence. Leaf sheaths closedabout halfway, sometimes scabrous, sometimes slowly shedding intofibers; collars glabrous; ligules 0.1-0.4 mm long; blades less than 1.2 mm wide, conduplicate. Inflorescences1.5-5.5 cm long, contracted, paniculate or rarely racemose, branches 1-2 per node; branches usually erect orsometimes spreading at anthesis, the lower with 2 or more spikelets. Spikelets 3.5-7(-8.5) mm long; florets 2-4(6). Lower glumes mostly 1.8-3.5 mm long; upper glumes mostly 2.4-4 mm long; lemmas 2.5-4.5(-6) mmlong, scabrous towards tip, awns mostly 1-3.5 mm long; anthers mostly 0.7-1.1 mm; ovary apex glabrous(adapted from: Darbyshire & Pavlick, 2012, Flora N. America, Vol. 24).

Lavin (2012) includes this species in synonymy of Festuca idahoensis. Kartesz (in prep. 2012) recognizessubspecies brachyphylla and coloradensis Frederiksen, the latter being restricted to Gallatin, Park, Sweetgrassand Stillwater counties.

HabitatMountainous, often alpine.

Shortleaf FescueFestuca brachyphylla

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General DescriptionStems 10–80 cm. Leaves: blades 1 mm wide, inrolled. Inflorescence an open panicle 2–20 cm long, thepeduncle glabrous and usually greenish in color. Spikelets 5–10 mm long, with 3 to 7 florets. Lemmas with anawn tip or awn up to 5 mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, meadows at all elevations (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Idaho FescueFestuca idahoensis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA2V0H1



# Observations: 27

General DescriptionFleshy, glabrous, fibrous-rooted annual. Stems prostrate to ascending,5–25 cm. Leaves alternate, petiolate; blades 1–6 cm long, odd-pinnate;leaflets narrowly elliptic, 5–20 mm long. Inflorescence solitary, long-pedicellate flowers from leaf axils. Flowers perfect, regular, hypogenous, 3-merous; sepals united at the base,2–3 mm long; petals separate, white, spatulate, 1–2 mm long; stamens 3 to 6; ovary with 2 or 3 carpels; style1. Fruit 2 or 3 bumpy, globose nuts, 1–3 mm long, united at the base, partially enclosed by the calyx (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet, shady soil of open forest, meadows, often along streams; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

False MermaidweedFloerkea proserpinacoides

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDLIM01010




General DescriptionSimilar to F. vesca. Leaflets 2–6 cm long, glabrous, yellow-green,inconspicuously veiny above. Inflorescence 5–20 cm long, as long orlonger than the leaves. Flowers: sepals lanceolate, 4–6 mm long; petals7–12 mm long. Fruit ca. 1 cm across (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

In Montana we have varieties platypetala (Rydb.) H.M.Hall and glauca S. Watson.

HabitatMeadows, grasslands, forest; plains, valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Virginia StrawberryFragaria virginiana

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS0R040



# Observations: 357

General DescriptionStems simple, erect, 20–150 cm. Herbage glabrous to puberulent. Leaves: basal oblanceolate, 7–25 cm long;cauline whorled, much smaller and more linear. Inflorescence a raceme composed of numerous whorls offlowers, each subtended by gradually reduced, foliaceous bracts. Flowers pale green with blue spots; sepals 8–15 mm long; corolla lobes broadly ovate, 1–2 cm long, each with 2 adjacent glands at the base. Capsuleoblong, 1–2 cm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMeadows, sagebrush steppe, moist grasslands, more common in calcareous soil; montane, lower alpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Green GentianFrasera speciosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDGEN050D0



# Observations: 126

General DescriptionGlabrous perennial from a branched caudex. Stems ascending, simple, 10–30 cm. Leaves cauline, ovate, 1–3cm long; the lowest smaller. Inflorescence a solitary, terminal flower. Flowers 5-merous, funnelform tocampanulate; calyx 12–22 mm long, the lobes rounded; corolla deep blue, 32–44 mm long, plicate with fringedplaits between erect to spreading lobes. Capsule 15–25 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants have been called variety obtusiloba C.L. Hitchc.

HabitatMoist to wet soil of meadows, cliffs, open forest, often where snow lies late; subalpine, alpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Explorer's GentianGentiana calycosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDGEN06090



# Observations: 99

General DescriptionStems erect, 10–40 cm. Leaves lanceolate, 1–4 cm long. Inflorescence a leafy-bracteate panicle. Flowers: calyx4–11 mm long, the lobes subequal, linear-lanceolate; corolla pink(white) to pale violet, 1–2 cm long, the lobesfringed on the inside. Capsule ca. as long as corolla (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, wet meadows, open forest, thickets, often where disturbed; montane to alpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Northern GentianGentianella amarella

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDGEN07010




General DescriptionPerennial. Stems erect, 15–90 cm. Herbage strigose to villous,glandular, especially in the inflorescence. Leaf blades cordate, orbicular,5–14 cm wide, deeply cleft into 5or 7 lobed segments. Flowers: sepals8–12 mm long, bristle-tipped; petals 12–20 mm long, rose to purple; fertile stamens 10. Capsule 25–40 mmlong including the style column (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Montana has varieties viscosissimum and incisum (Torr. & A. Gray) N.H. Holmgren.

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, woodlands, open forest; valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Sticky GeraniumGeranium viscosissimum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDGER02170



# Observations: 136

General DescriptionPlants with branched rootstocks, often forming mats. Stems erect orascending, subscapose, 2–20 cm, pubescent. Leaf blades 2–10 cm long,pubescent, sometimes glandular, narrowly lanceolate, with numerouspinnate, lobed divisions. Inflorescence a 1- to 4-flowered cyme. Flowers erect; hypanthium cup-shaped; sepalserect, green to purple, 3–6 mm long; petals yellow, 5–9 mm long. Achenes 2–4 mm long, pubescent; style 3–4mm long, glabrous (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

In Montana we have varieties rossii and turbinata (Rydb.) C.L. Hitchc.

HabitatTurf, fellfields; alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Ross' AvensGeum rossii

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General DescriptionRootstock branched, spreading belowground. Stems erect, pilose, 10–50 cm, with 1 pair of reduced, oppositeleaves. Leaf blades 4–15 cm long, long-hairy, oblanceolate with numerous pinnate, lobed divisions.Inflorescence a mostly 3-flowered cyme. Flowers nodding; hypanthium cup-shaped; sepals erect, dark pink, 7–11 mm long with slightly longer bracteoles; petals cream, ca. as long as the sepals. Achenes ca. 2 mm long,short-hairy; style 2–5 cm long, plumose (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatMesic grasslands, meadows, woodlands, turf; plains, valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Prairie-smokeGeum triflorum

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# Observations: 14

General DescriptionGlabrous, succulent, rhizomatous perennials. Stems ascending toprostrate, 4–20 cm, leafless below. Leaves opposite, 4–10 mm long,sessile, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, entire. Flowers solitary, sessile in leaf axils; calyx campanulate, 3–4mm long; the spreading lobes as long as the tube, petal-like, pink to white; corolla absent; stamens exserted.Capsules globose, 2–2.5 mm long, opening by 5 valves (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist, saline or alkaline meadows, often adjacent to ponds, wetlands; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Sea MilkwortGlaux maritima

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# Observations: 109

General DescriptionStems 80–150 cm. Leaves: leaf blades 2–5 (7) mm wide, ligules 5–11mm long. Inflorescence a narrow panicle 20–45 cm long, branchesascending. Spikelets 8–15 mm long, round in cross-section. Lemmas 8to 12 per spikelet (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet meadows and along stream and lake margins (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).)

Boreal MannagrassGlyceria borealis

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# Observations: 229

General DescriptionBiennial to perennial, sometimes branched at the caudex. Stems erect, branched above, 10–70 cm. Herbageglabrous, glandular-punctate. Leaf blades linear-oblanceolate to oblong, 1–10 cm long; dentate with amber-colored, resin-tipped teeth. Involucres 5–12 mm high. Rays 24 to 40; ligules 5–12 mm long. Disk corollas 4–6mm long. Achenes 1–4 mm long, top margin smooth; pappus awns 2 or 3 (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMargins of wetlands, streambanks, roadsides and other disturbed, vernally moist habitats; plains, valleys(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Curlycup GumweedGrindelia squarrosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST470W0



# Observations: 37

General DescriptionPerennial, usually from a branched caudex, otherwise similar to H. floribunda. Stems erect, usually simple, 30–80 cm. Herbage hirsute, strigose. Leaves 4–25 cm long. Flowers: calyx 1–1.5 mm long; corolla ca. 2 mm long,6–9 mm across the limb, blue with yellow or white fornices. Nutlet body 3–5 mm long; marginal pricklesdistinct; dorsal face with 4 to 8 smaller prickles (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMeadows, moist grasslands, sagebrush steppe; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Blue StickseedHackelia micrantha

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# Observations: 12

General DescriptionFibrous-rooted perennial herbs. Stems erect, often branched, 15–60 cm, winged-decurrent from leaf bases.Herbage puberulent, minutely punctate. Leaves cauline, petiolate below, sessile above; basal withered atflowering; blades lanceolate, entire to obscurely dentate, 2–10 cm, reduced upward. Inflorescence corymbiform.Heads radiate; involucre reflexed; phyllaries subequal in 2 or 3 series, 10–15 mm long, narrowly lanceolate,green, puberulent; receptacle hemispheric, naked, pitted. Ray flowers 8 to 21, female, yellow, reflexed; ligules10–15 mm long. Disk flowers numerous, fertile; corolla yellow, 2–4 mm long, glandular, puberulent above, tubeshorter than the throat; style branches dilated. Pappus of 5 to 10 aristate, scarious scales. Achenes obconic, 4-to 5-angled, 1–2 mm long, pubescent (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatMoist, often gravelly soil along streams, wetlands, roadsides; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Common SneezeweedHelenium autumnale

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST4L030



# Observations: 80

General DescriptionStems 30–70 cm. Herbage scabrous to stiff-puberulent. Leaf bladesnarrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, 3-veined, 5–12 cm long. Heads erect;involucres 10–25 mm across; phyllaries linear-lanceolate; receptaclescales stiff. Ray ligules 15–30 mm long. Disk corollas 5–7 mm long. Achenes 3–5 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSagebrush steppe, grasslands, forest openings; montane, lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rocky Mountain HelianthellaHelianthella uniflora

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# Observations: 71

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial with tuberous roots. Stems erect, simple or branched above, 60–200 cm. Herbageglabrate to scabrous or short-strigose, sometimes glaucous. Leaves opposite to mostly alternate; blades entireto serrate, narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate, 5–15 cm long. Involucres 12–22 mm across; phyllaries linear-lanceolate, long-acuminate, hispid to strigose, ciliate, 8–20 mm long. Ray ligules 15–30 mm long. Disk corollas6–7 mm long. Achenes 3–5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatWet meadows, thickets along streams, wetlands; plains, valleys, lower montane (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Nuttall's SunflowerHelianthus nuttallii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST4N100



# Observations: 34

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems erect, usually simple, 30–100 cm. Herbage scabrous to hispid-strigose. Leavesopposite at least below; blades serrate, lanceolate to ovate, 3–12 cm long. Involucres 14–23 mm across;phyllaries broadly lanceolate to ovate, glabrate, minutely ciliate, 6–10 mm long. Ray ligules 10–30 mm long.Disk corollas 4–8 mm long. Achenes 4–6 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are subspecies subrhomboideus (Rydb.) O. Spring & E.E. Schill.

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, roadsides; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Stiff SunflowerHelianthus pauciflorus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST4N1Q0



# Observations: 272

General DescriptionGlabrous, rhizomatous, at least partly submerged perennial. Stemserect, 10–70 cm, usually simple. Leaves linear, sessile, 1–5 cm long, 6-to 12-whorled; nodes closer together on emerged portion of stem.Flowers sessile, solitary in leaf axils, perfect; calyx green, tubular; petals absent; style 1; stamen 1; ovaryelliptic, ca. 1 mm long. Fruit 1-seeded achene, 1.5–2 mm long, enclosed in the calyx (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow water of sloughs, ponds, lakes; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Common Mare's-tailHippuris vulgaris

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDHPR01030



# Observations: 110

General DescriptionPerennial. Stems 25–60 cm. Leaves: lower blades and sheaths usuallyhairless, blades flat to folded, 1–3 mm wide. Inflorescence erect, 2–6cm long; the inflorescence rachis disarticulating. Spikelets: the 2laterals sterile, the pedicel 0.5–1 mm long; glumes awn-like, 7–15 mm long (rarely to 30 mm). Lemmas: fertilelemma 7–8 mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMontane meadows and along streams (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Meadow BarleyHordeum brachyantherum

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# Observations: 352

General DescriptionPerennial. Stems 20–70 cm tall; lower blades and sheaths usually hairless, less commonly hairy, blades flat,lax, 2–5 mm wide. Inflorescence lax, 5–12 cm long, rachis disarticulating at maturity. Spikelets the 2 lateralssterile, the pedicel 0.5–1.5 mm long; glumes awn-like, 25–75 mm long. Lemmas: fertile lemma 6–8 mm long(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatCommon in frequently disturbed open dry sites (e.g., roadsides, trail sides, pastures, vacant lot, andovergrazed rangeland), including area of high salinity (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Foxtail BarleyHordeum jubatum

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# Observations: 13

General DescriptionTaprooted perennial herbs from a branched caudex. Stems simple, erect, 4–30 cm. Herbage glandular,puberulent to villous. Leaves basal and cauline, wide-petiolate; blades narrowly oblanceolate, dentate toshallowly, pinnately lobed, 3–10 cm long. Heads solitary, radiate; involucres hemispheric, 12–23 mm high;phyllaries glandular, villous, narrowly lanceolate, subequal in 2–4 series; receptacle flat, bumpy. Ray flowersfemale, 30–60, yellow; rays ca. 1 cm long. Disk flowers perfect, yellow, glandular, 5–8 mm long, tubes shorterthan the throat; style branches hairy. Pappus of 4 lacerate, hyaline scales. Achenes clavate, 8–11 mm long,strigose (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatStony or sandy, non-calcareous soil of fellfields, talus; alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Alpine HulseaHulsea algida

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST4Z010



# Observations: 105

General DescriptionFibrous-rooted perennials. Stems ascending to erect, 5–25 cm. Herbagesparsely hirsute or strigose. Leaves long-petiolate; blades 3–10 cmlong, pinnately divided into 7 to 11 sessile, ovate, simple or lobedleaflets. Inflorescence a densely-branched, capitate, cyme, shorter than the subtending leaf. Flowerscampanulate; calyx hirsute, lobed to near the base, 4–6 mm long; corolla light blue, 7–10 mm long, tubeshorter than the lobes, ciliate at points of filament attachment; stamens and style exserted. Capsule with 1 to3 seeds (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety capitatum.

HabitatVernally moist, sometimes disturbed soil or talus in open forest, woodlands, grasslands, meadows, thickets;valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Dwarf WaterleafHydrophyllum capitatum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDHYD08030



# Observations: 26

General DescriptionCaudex unbranched (plants monocarpic?). Stems erect, simple or branched at the base, 10–30 cm. Herbagesparsely to densely villous. Leaves basal and cauline, 2–7 cm long; blades pinnately 1- to 2-times divided intoremote, linear segments. Heads solitary; involucres 15–25 mm × 2–3 cm; phyllaries subequal, linear-lanceolate, villous, united basally. Rays 15 to 34; ligules 12–25 mm long. Disk corollas 4–7 mm long. Achenes3–4 mm long; pappus scales 5 to 7 (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatMeadows, turf; upper subalpine to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Old-Man-of-the-MountainHymenoxys grandiflora

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTDY050



# Observations: 733

General DescriptionAnnual or biennial. Stems erect, usually branched, 25–100 cm. Herbage viscid-villous, especially on the stemsand veins, malodorous, poisonous. Leaves winged-petiolate below to sessile above; blades ovate, 3–30 cmlong, pinnately lobed to dentate, overlapping. Inflorescence a branched, leafy-bracted raceme. Flowers slightlyirregular; calyx campanulate, 10–12 mm long, greatly expanded in fruit; corolla funnelform, yellowish withpurple veins, the tube 15–30 mm long, the limb 20–25 mm wide with 5 unequal lobes. Fruit a globose capsule1–2 cm long, enclosed by the veiny, glandular calyx (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRoadsides, fields, pastures; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).



Black HenbaneHyoscyamus niger

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSOL0C020




http://mtweed.org







General DescriptionPLANTS: Multi-stemmed, herbaceous perennial that has a taproot and is rhizomatous. Stems grow from 25 to75 cm tall. Flowering stems are smooth, reddish, and upright with two opposite longitudinal ridges and blackglands. Stems are somewhat woody at the base and branched near their tops. From the root crown also growleafy non-flowering stems. Source: Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999; Lesica et al. 2012.

LEAVES: Leaves are sessile and arranged opposite. Leaf blades are dark green above, light green below,lanceolate in shape, 1–3 cm long, and dotted with translucent glands. Hold leaves to the light or use a hand-lens to see the translucent glands. Leaf margins have black glands, are smooth (entire), and revolute. Source:Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999; Lesica et al. 2012.

INFLORESCENCE: Yellow flowers are arranged in an open, flat-topped cyme. Each flower has 5 green sepalsthat are linear-lanceolate in shape and 5–8 mm long. Each flower has 5 golden-yellow petals, 8–14 mm long,and edged with black glands. Stamens are numerous and noticeable.

The specific epithet of perforatum refers to the translucent glands that appear to put holes in the leaf.

HabitatCommon St. John’s-wort grows in grasslands, open forest, clearings in forested areas, pastures, and alongroadsides in valleys and montane zones in Montana (Lesica et al. 2012). Elsewhere it can be a problem inorchards and in fruit and conifer plantations (Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999).

ManagementOnce plants become established Common St. John’s-wort is very difficult to control or remove.

An integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control, and requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Onceidentified an integrated weed management strategy that promotes a weed-resistant plant community andserves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation can be developed.

PREVENTION [Adapted from Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Preventing the establishment of Common St. John’s-wort can be accomplished by many practices:* Learn how to accurately identify Common St. John’s-wort in order to detect occurrences and know where toimplement control methods.* Prevent vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas. * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to uninfestedareas.* Frequently monitor for new plants, and when found implement effective control methods.* Maintain proper grazing management that creates resilience to noxious weed invasion.* Do not pick the flowers or transport plants. Where possible, contribute to or develop educational campaigns

Common St. John's-wortHypericum perforatum

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCLU031A0

to help eradicate or reduce Common St. John’s-wort populations.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Hand-pulling is effective for young populations or isolated plants. Rhizomes that remain in the soil can sproutnew plants. Populations with a seedbed or multiple ages will be difficult to control with only hand-pulling.Hand-pulling plants in combination with other control methods will likely be more successful at removing thepopulation.

Repeated Tilling in intensively cropped situations is effective.

Revegetating land with competitive, locally adapted, and palatable grasses, legumes, or other desirable forbswill develop a plant community that is more resilient to Common St. John’s-wort. A program in Australia foundthat cultivation, fertilization, and re-seeding with a competitive perennial grass controlled Common St. John’s-wort over a 2 to 5 year time period. Plants do poorly in shaded environments. Sites that are re-forested canreduce populations, but will not completely eradicate plants. Revegetation in combination with other controlmethods can be more effective to eradicate or reduce this plant.

Prescribed Burning is not an effective control method. Burning stimulates seed germination and re-growth frombuds on the root crowns and rhizomes. Repeated burning diminishes decaying organic matter and deletesnutrients, creating conditions that favor its re-establishment.

Mowing is not an effective control method because established populations have multiple aged plants andflowering/seeding can occur in spring, summer, and/or fall. Mowing can reduce flowering and seed formation,but would need to be repeated during the growing season and in subsequent years. Mowing encourages thesprawling growth of stems from buds on the root crowns and rhizomes.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Herbicides can be effective, especially when properly integrated with intensive pasture management. Theherbicide type and concentration, application time and method, environmental constraints, land use practices,local regulations, and other factors will determine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species. Strictadherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label will reduce risks to human andenvironmental health. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for information on herbicidalcontrol. Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.

2,4-D (2 pounds acid equivalent per acre (ae/ac)) applied to foliage will kill plants in the seedling and pre-flowering stages in non-cropland sites.

Picloram (0.125 to 1.50 pounds per active ingredient per acre (ae/ac)) or glyphosate (0.187 to 0.375 ae/acapplied in the spring can suppress plants in pastures, rangelands, and other non-cropland sites.

Mesulfuron (0.04 pounds ai/ac) applied after plant emergence can be an effective control.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS The first attempt in North America to control an exotic plant by the intentional introduction of insects was doneto control Common St. John’s-wort in California in the 1940’s (Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Inspirationcame from Australia where European insects were released into Australia in the 1940s and successfullysuppressed Common St. John’s-wort (Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999).

St. John's-wort Beetle (Chrysolina hypericin) and Klamath Weed Beetle (Chrysolina quadrigemina) feed onfoliage of Common St. John’s-wort during their larval stage. This reduces the plant’s ability to store nutrients intheir roots, which can lessen winter survival (https://integratedweedcontrol.com). These insects havesignificantly reduced populations in the Pacific Northwest states (https://integratedweedcontrol.com). They arebest suited to sunny and warm sites in mountainous areas (Mangold, Sheley, and Brown 2017). Chrysolinahypericin performs better where sites are wetter.

St. John’s-wort Inchworm (Aplocera plagiata) was introduced into the Pacific Northwest. Larvae of this mothfeed on leaves and flowers. When numerous enough the plants are defoliated, and flower and seed formationare inhibited (https://integratedweedcontrol.com). This insect lives best in dry, open areas with soils that aresandy, rocky, or of limestone parent material (Mangold, Sheley, and Brown 2017). Insects don’t thrive whereprecipitation is high.

St. John’s-wort Root Borer (Agrilus hyperici) lives best in dry, mountainous areas (Mangold, Sheley, and Brown2017).

St. John’s-wort Midge (Zeuxidiplosis giardi) prefers damp sites and does not do well in dry, wind-prone, orheavily grazed areas(Mangold, Sheley, and Brown 2017). Thus, it has not established well in Montana(Mangold, Sheley, and Brown 2017).

GRAZING CONTROLS


http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOLKF020

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOLKF030

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IILEU77010

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOLV0580

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IIDIP6AC10

Common St. John’s-wort is toxic to Common St. John’s-wort is toxic to cattle, horses, sheep, and goats [seeThreats or Limiting Factors] (Piper in Sheley and Petroff 1999; Mangold, Sheley, and Brown 2017). However,grazing management that maintains the viability of dense, desirable forage will be more resilient to invasionby Common St. John’s-wort.






http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 44

General DescriptionPerennial from a branched caudex. Stems sterile and fertile, erect, 4–15cm. Herbage scabrous with pubescent to tomentose stems. Leavescauline sessile, lanceolate to oblanceolate, entire, 3–12 mm long.Inflorescence a solitary head; peduncles villous. Involucre turbinate, 7–11 mm high; phyllaries linear, villous,glandular, keeled, scarious-margined. Rays 7 to 21, blue; ligules 6–15 mm long. Disk flowers yellow; corolla 5–7 mm long. Pappus in 2 series. Achenes linear-obovoid, 5–6 mm long, sericeous (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSagebrush steppe, dry grasslands, often in sandy soil; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Lava AsterIonactis alpina

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTE4030



# Observations: 256

General DescriptionStems 10–50 cm. Leaves basal, 10–40 cm × 3–8 mm wide. Inflorescence of 1 to 3 flowers; spathes inflated,united at the base, sometimes membranous-margined, 4–8 cm long; pedicels 2–5 cm long. Flowers: sepals 4–6cm long, whitish with a yellow midstripe and blue veins and margins; petals blue, 3–4 cm long; lobes of stylebranch white, 3–6 mm long. Capsule ellipsoid, 2–4 cm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist to wet meadows thickets, woodland margins; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Western Blue IrisIris missouriensis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMIRI090L0



# Observations: 116

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems erect, usually branched, 10–40 cm. Herbage strigose, sparsely to denselyglandular. Leaves short-petiolate; blades oblanceolate to obovate, entire, 5–50 mm long. Inflorescence ofsolitary pedunculate heads in axils of reduced upper leaves. Involucres 2–4 mm high; phyllaries 5 to 8,obovate, ciliate, strigose. Female flowers ca. 5; corolla ca. 1 mm long. Male flowers 4 to 20, obconic; corolla 2–3 mm long. Achenes 2–3 mm long, gland-dotted (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGravelly or fine-textured soil of grasslands, stream terraces; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Small-flowered Marsh-elderIva axillaris

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# Observations: 944

General DescriptionStrongly rhizomatous. Stems erect, terete, 15–90 cm, sometimes tufted. Leaves mainly basal; blades andauricles absent; sheaths light to dark brown. Inflorescence congested to open with sessile to pedicellateflowers; main bract terete, erect, appearing like a continuation of the stem. Flowers with prophylls; tepalsbrown to purple, 4–5 mm long, acuminate; stamens 6. Capsules 3–4 mm long, rounded to the beak; seedsapiculate (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet mineral soil of meadows, low areas in grasslands, thickets, often along streams, ditches, tolerant ofsaline and alkaline conditions; plains, valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Baltic RushJuncus balticus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJUN010A0



# Observations: 42

General DescriptionFibrous-rooted annual. Stems ascending to erect, terete, 2–15 cm, branched at the base. Leaves basal andcauline; blades channeled, <1 mm wide; auricles absent. Inflorescence open with ascending branches andclusters of 1 to 3 sessile flowers in axils of upper leaves (nodal bracts). Flowers with prophylls; tepals narrow,green with scarious margins, 4–7 mm long; outer acuminate; inner acute, shorter; stamens 6. Capsules 3–4mm long, rounded at the tip; seeds apiculate (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatVernally moist, often disturbed soil of meadows, stream banks, margins of ponds, wetlands; plains, valleys,montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Toad RushJuncus bufonius

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJUN010J0



# Observations: 24

General DescriptionCaespitose. Stems erect, terete, 10–60 cm. Leaves basal; blades flat or inrolled, <1 mm wide; auriclesrounded, <1 mm long. Inflorescence congested with 3 to 25 subsessile flowers; main bract greater than theinflorescence. Flowers with prophylls; tepals green to brown, 2–5 mm long with acute tips; stamens 6.Capsules 3–4 mm long, included, rounded and indented on top; seeds apiculate (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist, often disturbed soil of meadows, open forest, rock outcrops, along trails, roads, streams; valleys tolower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Colorado RushJuncus confusus

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJUN010S0



# Observations: 182

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, terete, 10–60 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades equitant (folded flat in halflongitudinally), 1–5 mm wide; auricles absent. Inflorescence of capitate clusters, 3–12 mm across, each with 3to many sessile flowers; main bract smaller than the inflorescence. Flowers: prophylls absent; tepals tan,black, or purplish, 3–4 mm long, acuminate; stamens 3 or 6. Capsules rounded on top, 3–4 mm long; seedsapiculate or with a short appendage (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatMoist to wet soil around seeps, ponds, lakes, along streams, ditches, plains, valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Three-stamened RushJuncus ensifolius

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJUN01130




Short-rhizomatous, caespitose. Stems erect, terete, 10–40 cm, tufted.Leaves mainly basal, bladeless; the 1 or 2 cauline leaves have tereteblades 1 mm or less wide; auricles minute. Inflorescence congestedwith 2 to 7 subsessile flowers; lowest bract, terete, erect orascending, shorter or longer than the inflorescence. Flowers withprophylls; tepals brown, 3–5 mm long, acute; stamens 6. Capsules 4–6mm long, indented on top; seeds appendaged (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSubalpine parklands and moist meadows and slopes in the montane zone.

Hall's RushJuncus hallii

Range Year-round

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJUN011E0



# Observations: 102

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, terete, 20–80 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades flat, 1–2 mm wide; auriclestruncate, 1–3 mm long. Inflorescence of 1 to 5 subcapitate clusters of 3 to 12 sessile flowers each, 6–15 mmacross; main bract much smaller than the inflorescence; bracteoles numerous, silvery-membranous. Flowers:prophylls absent; tepals silvery with a green and brown mid-stripe, 4–6 mm long, acute; stamens 6. Capsules3–5 mm long, rounded on top; seeds apiculate (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist to wet meadows on margins of streams, fens, seeps, ponds, tolerant of alkali; valleys, montane, rarelyhigher (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Long-styled RushJuncus longistylis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJUN011P0



# Observations: 39

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems erect, terete, 15–50 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; blades terete, septate, 0.5–2 mmwide; auricles rounded, ca. 1 mm long. Inflorescence open with erect to spreading branches and severalclusters of 6 to 30 spreading flowers; main bract greater than the inflorescence. Flowers: prophylls absent;tepals green to light brown, 2.5–4 mm long, acuminate; subequal; stamens usually 6. Capsules 4–5 mm long,long-tapered to the beak; seeds apiculate (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatWet meadows, wet gravelly soil along streams, ponds, lakes; plains, valleys, rarely montane (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Knotted RushJuncus nodosus

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJUN01210




General DescriptionRounded shrub with prostrate to erect stems up to 1 m. Bark brown,fibrous. Leaves stiff, needle-like, 5–20 mm long, whitish on lowersurface, in whorls of 3, jointed where they meet the stem. Seed cones maturing in 2 years, bluish-black, 4–7mm long, seeds 2 to 3 (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDrier forests, forest margins, open slopes, outcrops and rock slides at all but the highest elevations (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Common JuniperJuniperus communis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PGCUP05030




General DescriptionErect shrub or small tree up to ca. 6 m with ascending branches and a conical crown. Bark stringy, reddish-brown. Leaves green but often with a whitish, glaucous coat, opposite, scale-like, appressed, 1–2 mm long,entire-margined with an acute but not apiculate tip; juvenile leaves needle-like, 2–6 mm long and ascending.Seed cones with 1 to 2 seeds, blue with glaucous bloom, 3–6 mm long, maturing in 2 years (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatStream terraces, open Douglas-fir or ponderosa pine forest, and rocky or barren slopes; plains, valleys tomontane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rocky Mountain JuniperJuniperus scopulorum

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PGCUP050C0



# Observations: 86

General DescriptionTaprooted perennial. Stems erect, branched above, 30–80 cm. Herbagehirsute. Basal leaves petiolate; blades oblanceolate, crenate, 3–15 cmlong. Stem leaves oblanceolate, 4–20 cm long, deeply pinnately lobed;the lobes linear-lanceolate. Heads hemispheric, 1–3 cm across; involucral bracts lanceolate, 5–12 mm long;receptacle bracts absent. Flowers: calyx hirsute with 8 to 12 aristate sepals 2–4 mm long; corolla 4-lobed, lightpurple, glabrous to sparsely hairy, 6–8 mm long; lobes 1–3 mm long; stigma shallowly lobed; stamens barelyexserted. Achene conical, 5–6 mm long, hirsute (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFields, pastures, roadsides; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).



Field ScabiousKnautia arvensis

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDDIP03010




http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 254

General DescriptionTaprooted annual. Stems erect, branched, long-hairy, 15–100 cm. Leaves linear to narrowly lanceolate, long-ciliate, 5–60 mm long, becoming red with age. Inflorescence brown-hairy, diffuse. Flowers 2 to 6 in axils ofleaf-like bracts; calyx segments ca. 1 mm long. Fruit horizontally winged to some degree (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDisturbed soil of roadsides, cultivated fields, tolerant of saline soil; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).



Common KochiaKochia scoparia

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCHE0E040




http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 980

General DescriptionCool season, perennial bunchgrass. Stems 20–60 cm. Leaves: blades 1–3 mm wide, flat and ascending;sheaths with overlapping margins; ligule membranous. Inflorescence a contracted to occasionally openpyramidal panicle 4–11 cm long. Spikelets 4–5 mm long with 2 to 4 florets; glumes somewhat enclosing theflorets. Lemmas awnless or with a very short awn <1 mm long; palea very well developed. Disarticulationabove glumes; unit of dispersal the floret or fruit (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatLow to middle elevations in sagebrush steppe, dry montane meadows, and other open dry sites with highnative cover (indicative of infrequent disturbance). (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Prairie JunegrassKoeleria macrantha

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA3G040



# Observations: 214

General DescriptionAnnual or biennial. Stems erect, 20–100 cm, simple and bristly below. Leaves clasping, oblong to oblanceolate,5–20 cm long, prickly below and on the margins, dentate and sometimes with remote, deltoid lobes. Involucre5–15 mm high; inner phyllaries purple-tipped, reflexed in fruit. Rays 12 to 20, yellow, drying blue; ligules 4–6mm long. Achenes 2–4 mm long; beaks 2–4 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDisturbed soil of grasslands, fields, roadsides; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Prickly LettuceLactuca serriola

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST5F090




General DescriptionPLANTS: Perennial, rhizomatous forbs that grow 20 to 50 cm tall.Stems are single, branching above the ground and at their base groweither erect or decumbent. Sources: FNA 2010; Lesica et al. 2012

LEAVES: Basal leaves (rosette) are grayish-green and gradually narrowto a petiole that connects to the root crown. Basal leaves whitherearly. Stem leaves are alternately arranged, grayish-green, arrowhead-shaped, clasp the stem, and have entire to unevenly toothed margins.Leaf surfaces may be without hairs (glabrous) or with soft white hairs(pubescent). Sources: FNA 2010; Lesica et al. 2012

INFLORESCENCE: White flowers are arranged in racemes (corymbosepanicles). Branches may elongate in fruit. Flowers have 4 white petalsof 2.5-4.5 mm long, 4 greenish-white sepals of 1.5–2.5 mm long,stamens 6 (4 long and 2 short), and 1 pistil. Sources: FNA 2010; Lesica et al. 2012

HabitatWhitetop is best adapted to moderately moist sites where annual precipitation ranges from 12-16 inches andto alkaline soils that can stay moist into late spring (Graves-Medley and Mangold 2011). In Montana Whitetopis most abundant in irrigated fields with saline soil and roadsides in the valleys (Lesica et al. 2012). Whitetopgrows best in open, unshaded sites.

ManagementSuccessful control requires integrating strategies to prevent new, eradicate or containing existing, andcontrolling large populations.

PREVENTION [Adapted from Graves-Medley and Mangold 2011]Seed development must be prevented to reduce or stop spread. Spread can be reduced by:* Preventing vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas, * Thoroughly washing the undercarriage of vehicles that have travel through infested areas,* Encouraging landowners to frequently monitor their land for new infestations and, when found to implementeffective control methods.* Maintain proper livestock grazing management that is more resilient to Whitetop invasion, and* Developing educational campaigns to teach people to not pick and transport the white flowers.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Graves-Medley and Mangold 2011]Hand-pulling can provide control to small or new populations and around homesteads, gardens, and otherurban areas. Plants must be pulled within 10 days of emerging and repeated (if re-emerged) throughout thegrowing season for another 2-4 years to ensure it is eliminated from the site. Plants grow fast and preventingthem from seeding is key to controlling the population. Rhizomes must also be fully removed or they will re-sprout. Weeding is more successful if done when soil is moist.

WhitetopLepidium draba

Range Non-native

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA0L020

Tilling must be done within 10 days of emergence and repeated throughout the growing season for 2-4 years toexhaust reserves in the rhizomes.

Revegetation that establishes a desirable perennial plant community will compete best against Whitetop. Cropplants that are competitive include alfalfa and legumes.

Flooding can control Whitetop, particularly where soil textures are heavy and hold onto water with littleseepage and/or where continuous submersion from May through September could occur. Flooding is moreappropriate for riparian areas and places that naturally exhibit intermittent or ephemeral flooding. Floodingmay be inappropriate in many habitats and could damage native or other desirable plants.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs and Mangold 2007]Herbicides can control Whitetop, but require an aggressive re-application program and should be part of anintegrated weed management plan. The herbicide type and concentration, application time and method,environmental constraints, land use practices, local regulations, and other factors will determine itseffectiveness and impact to non-target species. Strict adherence to application requirements defined on theherbicide label will reduce risks to human and environmental health. Consult your County Extension Agentand/or Weed District for information on herbicidal control. Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.

These herbicides have been used on rangeland, roadsides, and waste areas and applied to actively growingrosettes in the early spring, to re-growth before flower buds develop, or to fall re-growth before frosts killplants. Herbides should be applied with adequate water (at least 10 gallons per acre) and with a nonionicsurfactant at the label rate:* Metsulfuron at the 0.5-1.0 ounce per acre rate, * mixed Metsulfuron and Chlorsulfuron at the 2.0 ounce per acre rate, or* Chlorsulfuron at the 0.5-1.0 ounce per acre rate.

2,4-D has been somewhat effective is applied before the flower-bud stage. at the rate of 2 quarts per acre willkill stems, but not the root crowns. Root crowns will re-sprout and require a different follow-up treatment.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs and Mangold 2007]Livestock should not graze infested areas during flowering and seed-set periods. Animals that have grazed inareas with Whitetop should be contained and fed weed-free forage for 10-14 days before moving into weed-free areas. This provides the necessary time for seeds to bedigested and excreted.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLSSeveral insects are being tested for use a biological control agent, but it is difficult since Whitetop is amember of the mustard family, which includes numerous important crops (cabbages, broccoli, mustard, canola,and others). Insects being investigated include a gall-forming weevil (Ceutorhynchus cardariae), a seed-feeding weevil (Ceutorhynchus turbatus), a root-mining weevil (Melanobaris semistriata), a shoot mining fleabeetle (Psylliodes wrasei), and a gall mite (Aceria drabae).







http://mtweed.org




Noxious Weed: Priority2ANon-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: SNA


# Observations: 961

General DescriptionPLANTS: Rhizomatous perennial forbs with stiff stems that grow erect,branch above the ground, and are 40-100 cm tall. The lower stems aresemi-woody. Plants lack hairs (Lesica et al. 2012) though the Flora ofNorth America (FNA 2010) states they can be pubescent. Sources: FNA2010; Lesica et al. 2012

LEAVES: Leaves are bright green to grey-green. Basal leaves are petiolate with narrowly oval-shaped bladesthat have toothed (serrate) margins and are 1-9(14) cm long. Basal leaves wither by flowering time. Stemleaves are alternately arranged with short petioles becoming sessile. Stem blades are oblong to elliptic-ovateor lanceolate, 2-9 cm long by 3-45 mm wide with a cuneate base (that is not auriculate) and with entire toserrate margins. Sources: FNA 2010; Lesica et al. 2012

INFLORESCENCE: Flowers are clustered in branched racemes. Flowers have 4 white petals of 1.5–2 mm long, 4greenish-white sepals of 1-1.4 mm long, stamens 6 (4 long and 2 short), and 1 pistil. Sources: FNA 2010;Lesica et al. 2012

HabitatIn Montana Perennial Pepperweed grows in riparian areas that are moist or periodically flood, but can adapt todrier upland conditions (Jacobs and Mangold 2007). It can grow along lake shores and in riparian areas,wetlands, fields, pastures, grasslands, rangelands, roadsides, and urban areas in valleys (Jacobs and Mangold2007; Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementAn integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control, and requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al.in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Onceidentified an integrated weed management strategy can be developed. An integrated weed managementstrategy promotes a weed-resistant plant community and serves other land-use objectives such as livestockforage, wildlife habitat, or recreation can be developed, making control of Perennial Pepperweed possible(Shelly et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999).

PREVENTIONPreventing vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas will reduce spread. Haythat is weed-free will reduce spread. Maintaining an intact plant community and reducing soil disturbance willprevent or slow down spread.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs and Mangold 2007]Hand-pulling can be effective for small populations or to eliminate re-growth from a herbicide treatment. Itsrhizomatous growth makes it difficult to pull the entire root stem and will stimulate re-growth plus anyfragments can re-sprout. Pulled plants must be bagged, dried, and disposed of in the trash, but should reallybe burned to truly prevent spreading it.

Mowing has been shown to reduce Perennial Pepperweed by 46% for one year. Mowing should occur at the firstsigns of flowering and at a stubble height of 4 inches or greater. The root’s carbohydrate reserve is at itslowest when the plant begins to flower. A stubble height of at least 4 inches should remove flowers and buds

Perennial PepperweedLepidium latifolium

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA1M0J0

while allowing desirable plants to better survive. Do not mow if plants are in seed because that will increasespread. However, plants will re-sprout and could flower and repeated mowing is likely necessary. A moreeffective control is to combine mowing with an herbicide treatment.

Tilling will fragment the rhizomes and increase re-sprouting. Repeated tilling without or in combination with anherbicide treatment may control Perennial Pepperweed.

Revegetation that is timed properly with the appropriate desirable plants can create competition to suppress orto prevent re-invasion by Perennial Pepperweed. The Plant Materials Technical Note 46, “Seeding Rates andRecommended Cultivars” and the Extension Bulletin EB19, “Dryland Pasture Species for Montana and Wyoming”might be useful for your project.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs and Mangold 2007]Herbicides are effective, especially when properly integrated with intensive pasture management. The herbicidetype and concentration, application time and method, environmental constraints, land use practices, localregulations, and other factors will determine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species. Strictadherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label will reduce risks to human andenvironmental health. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for information on herbicidalcontrol. Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.

Perennial Pepperweed has been suppressed for 1-2 years using: * Metsulfuron at the 1.0 ounce per acre rate applied to actively growing plants before full bloom. A nonionicsurfactant is needed.* Chlorsulfuron at the 1.0 ounce per acre rate applied when plants are in flower bud to early flowering. Anonionic surfactant is needed.* Imazapic at the 8-12 ounce per acre rate mixed with methylated seed oil at the 1 quart per acre MSO rateapplied after plants are in full bloom.

2,4-D at the rate of 2 quarts per acre will kill stems, but not the root crowns. Root crowns will re-sprout andrequire a different follow-up treatment.

Glyphosate at the rate of 2 quarts per acre will kill all plants (broad-leaf and grass plants).

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs and Mangold 2007]Cattle and sheep can control Perennial Pepperweed in stands that are not dense. One study found PerennialPepperweed was reduced in a pasture by 78% for one year. Sheep grazing has reduced Perennial Pepperweedplants without reducing native plant species. Perennial Pepperweed seeds remain viable after passing throughthe digestive tract. In fact, germination rates increased by 5% to 40% for ingested seeds. Animals that havegrazed in areas with Perennial Pepperweed should be contained and fed weed-free forage for 5 days beforemoving into weed-free areas.

Poisoning has been reported for horses feeding on Perennial Pepperweed contaminated hay.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLSThere are no biological controls available because Perennial Pepperweed is a member of the mustard family,which includes numerous important crops (cabbages, broccoli, mustard, canola, and others).



Melissa Maggio-Kassner is the coordinator for the Montana Biological Weed Control Project. She can be reachedat (406) 258-4223 or [email protected]





http://mtweed.org




mailto:[email protected]




General DescriptionPLANTS: A rhizomatous perennial forb with erect stems that grow 20-80cm tall. Plants are glabrous (lacks hairs). Plants have basal and erectstems. Source: Lesica et al. 2012

LEAVES: Basal leaves have long petioles (stalks). Basal leaf blades are spoon-shaped to round and shallowlylobed (crenate). Cauline leaves are alternately arranged, petiolate but become sessile upwards. Sources:Lesica et al. 2012; Davis and Mangold 2018.

INFLORESCENCE: Flower heads are mostly solitary on long peduncles (stems). Flower heads are 1-2 cm wideand have white ray florets and yellow disk florets. Involucral bracts are, uneven, in 2-4 rows, and green withbrown scarious margins. The flower head’s receptacle is nearly flat and naked (lacks awns, scales or bristlesbetween the disk florets/achenes). The 15-35 ray florets have white petals of 1-2 cm and are fertile. Thenumerous disk florets have yellow petals, lack a pappus, are 2-3 mm tall, and have flattened style branches.Sources: Lesica et al. 2012; Davis and Mangold 2018.

The genus Leucanthemum comes from the Greek words leuco- for white and anthemon for flower. The specificepithet vulgare means common.

HabitatIn Montana Oxeye Daisy grows mostly in moist area along roadsides and in fields, meadows, forest openings,and pastures converted from forest in the valleys to montane zones (Lesica et al. 2012). Elsewhere it is alsofound along railroad embankments and waste areas.

ManagementAn integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control of Oxeye Daisy. It requiresthat land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al.in Sheley and Petroff 1999).Once identified the integrated weed management strategy can promote a weed-resistant plant community andserves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation can be developed,making control of Oxeye Daisy possible.

PREVENTIONOxeye Daisy is often encouraged as an ornamental to plant, and has been found in numerous seed mixes.Users should carefully read packaging labels and not purchase if its scientific names or common names or anysynonyms are listed.

Seed development must be prevented to reduce or stop spread. * Prevent vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas, * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to anuninfested area,* Encourage landowners to frequently monitor their land for new infestations and, when found to implementeffective control methods.* Maintain proper livestock grazing management to encourage competitive vegetation, and

Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST5V040

* Develop educational campaigns to teach people to not pick and transport the white flowers.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Olson and Wallander in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Hand-pulling can be effective for small or new infestations. It should be done before plants have flowered.Gloves should be worn to protect skin. Plants should be bagged, allowed to desiccate or rot, and then bedeposited in the landfill.

mowing as soon as flower buds develop is effective to reduce seed production. However, mowing will stimulateshoot production, and subsequent flowering could occur if conditions are good. Not mowing fields with OxeyeDaisy is also not a good control method because over-time Oxeye Daisy will likely succeed.

Tilling that is repeated in the same growing season can kill plants because rhizomes grow shallow in the soilprofile. Seeds in the seedbank will germinate, and require follow-up treatment.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Olson and Wallander in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Horses, sheep and goats will graze Oxeye Daisy, while cattle and pigs avoid it because it is acrid.Information on how horses, sheep, or goats can be used to control Oxeye Daisy was not found.

Horses, sheep, and goats that graze where Oxeye Daisy grows should be retained in a holding pen beforemoving into uninfested areas.

Grazing management that maintain vigorous growth of desirable plants will help compete against Oxeye Daisy.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Olson and Wallander in Sheley and Petroff 1999]The herbicide type and concentration, application time and method, environmental constraints, land usepractices, local regulations, and other factors will determine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species.Strict adherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label will reduce risks to human andenvironmental health. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for information on herbicidalcontrol. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for more information on herbicidal control.Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.

Oxeye daisy is moderately resistant to some 2,4-D-based herbicides except at high rates of 5 pounds per acre.

One study found that applying 80 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer was a more cost-effective treatment after 7years that using herbicide alone or in combination with fertilizer. The treatment increased grass yields by500% over this time. Herbicides can kill plants, while fertilizers promote growth of desirable forage.

Picloram (1.5 pint per acre) mixed with 2,4-D (1 quart) per acre was applied to a heavily infested Oxeye Daisysite in 1990. The treatment provided 100% control, but is not recommended to use for a long-term controlmethod. Herbicides often have to be re-applied every 2-3 years because of the seed bank.

The seed bank and long length of seed viability will allow Oxeye Daisy to return for many years. Therefore,control methods that encourage the growth of vigorous, competitive desirable plants is recommended.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2015]Currently no biological control agents are available.



?http://www.greenbook.net?




http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 44

General DescriptionRoots fleshy and branched with a simple caudex. Stems erect orascending, 1–4 cm with a pair of bracts below the middle. Basal leafblades linear, 1–8 cm long. Stem leaves absent. Flowers solitary; sepals2, mostly glandular-toothed, 2–10 mm long, enlarging in fruit; petals 6 to 8, white to magenta, 4–10 mm long;stamens 5 to 8; style branches 3 to 6 (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatSandy, gravelly or shallow, vernally wet soil of banks, rock ledges, grasslands, meadows, open slopes, oftennear receding snow banks; montane to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Alpine BitterrootLewisia pygmaea

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPOR040C0

Noxious Weed: Priority2BNon-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SNA



PLANTS: Short-lived perennial forbs that are rhizomatous from acaudex. Stems are erect, branched, and 40–80 cm tall. Plants areglabrous (no hairs), succulent, and waxy with a bluish to whitish cast.Sources: Lajeunesse in Sheley and Petroff 1999; Lesica et al. 2012.

LEAVES: Alternate on the stem. Blades are ovate, acute tipped, 2–5cm long, sessile, and clasping around the stem.

INFLORESCENCE: A terminal bracteate raceme. Bright yellow flowerswith orange centers and yellow spurs are snapdragon shaped and growfrom the upper leaf nodes (leaf base).

Dalmatian Toadflax was named for the district of Dalmatia to where it is native in Eurasia (Alex 1959).

HabitatFields, roadsides, grasslands, often in stony soil; plains, valleys (Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementSuccessful control requires the use of several management strategies because of the plants genetic variability.Seedlings and first-year rosette plants are vulnerable stages that managers should take advantage of tocontrol Dalmatian Toadflax. Strategies to prevent young plants from producing flowers (hence seed production)will be effective to prevent spread or infestations. Once infestations are established, control will be labor-intensive, costly, and difficult.

PREVENTION [Adapted from Lajeunesse in Sheley and Petroff 1999]New infestations originate from seeds and vegetative buds on roots. Farm operations and equipment, vehicles,recreational activities, and other human actions can transport seeds. Check and clean all equipment beforemoving from an infested to an uninfested area. Use fill material that is weed-free, particularly in uninfestedareas. When moving sheep or cattle from infested to uninfested areas, hold them in corrals/pastures for 11 or6 days respectively, to allow time for viable seeds to pass through their digestive tracts. Monitor and controlToadflax in the holding areas. Purchase weed-free seed or hay.

CHEMICAL CONTROL [Adapted from Lajeunesse in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Dalmatian Toadflax is difficult to control with herbicides due to its high genetic variability, waxy leaf surface,soil type, and biology. Herbicides must be applied using a surfactant because leaves have a waxy surface(cuticle) which acts as a protective barrier, hindering uptake. Herbicides are more likely to leach when appliedto plants growing in sandy soils or soils low in organic matter, which could result in indirect negative impacts.Even where herbicides appear effective, long-term control may not be achieved and reinvasion from dormant

Dalmatian ToadflaxLinaria dalmatica

Range Non-native

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR110F0

seeds may occur. Where herbicides are effective, infestations should be treated every 3-4 years for at least 12years in order to eradicate the plant. Through time sites may require higher rates of herbicide.

In studies Picloram ranges from not effective to effective and it depends upon the site. Fall applications appearmore effective than spring applications. Fall applications should be timed with 1-3 inches of fall-regrowth whichindicates plants roots are storing energy for the winter. Fall applications of 0.5 or 1.0 pound (lb) activeingredient per acre (ai/ac) for up to 2 or 3 years, respectively, have given up to 98% control on some sites. Atthe higher rate Picloram will kill many broadleaf plants, which may be desirable at the site. Under dryconditions, Picloram is not moved into the soil and can be reduced from exposure to the sunlight within 3-4weeks.

In a study Dicamba applied prior to blooming at the rate of 4 lbs ai/ac provided excellent control for 1 year. Ina study, Picloram (0.5 lb ai/ac) and 2,4-D (1 lb ai/ac) mixed in a tank and applied prior to blooming provided90-100% control (see Sebastian and Beck 1989; Sebastian et al. 1990). In a study, a tank mixture of 2,4-D,Triclopyr, and 2,4-D Amine was ineffective when applied prior to blooming. Ferrell and Whitson (1989) foundTriclopyr and Fluroxypyr to be ineffective whether used in combination or alone.

MECHANICAL and PHYSICAL CONTROL [Adapted from Lajeunesse in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Hand-pulling can be effective for small infestations, particularly when soil is moist or where sandy. To deletethe root reserves, pulling annually for 5-6 years and removing the lateral roots is necessary. To remove first-year seedlings, a site needs to be re-visited annually for 10-15 years.

Mowing is often not practical on most sites and is not very effective since a lot of growth occurs by rhizomes.

Cultivation: Sweep-type cultivators used from at least early June and repeated every 7-10 days can controlToadflax. To eradicate, 4-5 cultivations are required in the second year. However, inconsistent tillage canspread plants. Machinery should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent spreading root fragments.

Burning can remove standing biomass of Toadflax, but will also stimulate seed germination and root sprouting.Therefore, burning is not a recommended control method.

REVEGETATION [Adapted from Lajeunesse in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Management practices, seeding, and plantings that encourage growth of desirable plants and those well-adapted to the environment will increase competition against Dalmatian Toadflax seedlings and rosettes.Revegetation or seeding should use several species that root at shallow, intermediate, and deep depths (leastas deeply as Dalmatian Toadflax) in order to maximize competition for water, nutrients, and space. Themixture of species should provide active growth for as much of the year as possible, and include winter andsummer annuals and shallow-rooted perennials. Desirable winter and summer annuals might compete wellagainst Dalmatian Toadflax seedlings.

GRAZING MANAGEMENT [Adapted from Lajeunesse in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Cattle usually avoid Dalmatian and Yellow Toadflax, though casual browsing has been observed along withreports of mild poisoning. Sheep can consume Dalmatian Toadflax as a major food source and not show signsof poisoning.

The timing of grazing is important in developing and maintaining competitive, desirable plant communities.Overgrazing sites encourages Dalmatian Toadflax germination and growth. This is particularly true in the springbecause seedlings can capture available soil moisture and other resources better than overgrazed plants.

Preliminary results from several Montana studies indicated that sheep can suppress stands of DalmatianToadflax and limit seed production. The studies placed 1,000 ewes and lambs on a hilly rangeland whereDalmatian toad occupied 25-100% of existing plant coverage. Approximately 35-45% of the Toadflax foliagewas stripped, and after three weeks they were regularly consuming plants, even when other forage plants wereavailable. The sheep also maintained good weight gain.

When moving livestock from an infested to an uninfested area, hold cattle for 6 days and sheep for 11 days incorrals or small pastures until viable seeds have time to pass through their digestive tract. Monitor these areasfor seedling establishment and provide control where seen. Avoid purchasing feed or seed that is contaminatedby weeds.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL [Adapted from Lajeunesse in Sheley and Petroff 1999]In general, it is recommended that at least 200 insects be established to create a sustainable population.Infestations should be at least 2 acres with sizeable populations. It may take 2-3 years for the insectpopulation to establish.

As of 1998 6 insects have been approved and released in the U.S. and Canada for use on both Dalmatian andYellow Toadflaxes. In Montana, Brachypterolus pulicarius, Gymnaetron antirrhini, Mecinus janthinus, andMecinus janthiniformus are actively released for Dalmatian Toadflax. All have been effective, particularlyMecinus janthinus and Mecinus janthiniformus.

Toadflax Flower Beetle (Brachypterolus pulicarius) is thought to have been accidentally introduced, and nowoccurs throughout North America. Adult beetles feed primarily on growing shoot tips and axillary buds, but canalso feed on pollen, anthers, and ovaries. Larvae feed entirely on pollen, anthers, ovaries, and immatureseeds.

Toadflax Seedhead Weevils (Gymnaetron antirrhini and Rhinusa neta) are thought to be accidentallyintroduced to North America. Gymnaetron antirrhini is more widely distributed. They impact seeds bystimulating the development of a gall, and their larvae feed on both deformed and normal seeds. Rhinusa netalarvae also feed on seeds, but without the development of a gall.

The timing of maturity between Brachypterolus pulicarius and Rhinusa species can result in an interactionwhere B. pulicarius larvae predate upon the eggs of Rhinusa species.

Toadflax Brocade Moth Calophasia lunula larvae feed on the lower leaves and stems of Yellow Toadflax.Their feeding can exhibit significant mortality to seedlings and young plants. However, pathogens within thisinsect constrains it from building a large enough population that is needed to significant impact YellowToadflax.

Root-mining Cosmet Moth Eteobalea intermediella has showed great promise for controlling Yellow Toadflaxin studies, but for unexplained reasons this insect has not established well in North America.

Toadflax Stem-boring Weevil Mecinus janthinus was originally collected from Yellow Toadflax in its nativerange. While this biocontrol insect has impacted Dalmatian Toadflax populations very well, it has not affectedYellow Toadflax in western North America, and researchers do not know why. Researchers are now evaluatingM. heydeni for targeting Yellow Toadflax.

Dalmatian Toadflax Stem-boring Weevil Mecinus janthiniformis is effective.



http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOLSM020

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOLQD530

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IILEYH3010

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IILEG3P060

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOLQD9R0

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IICOLQDAA0




http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 47

General DescriptionStems 5–15 cm, glandular-pubescent above. Leaves ovate, 2–4 cm long. Inflorescence of 3 to 12 flowers;bracts 1–3 mm long. Flowers: sepals 4–5 mm long, linear-lanceolate; lip petal declined but not pendent, 7–11mm long, broadly oblong with 2 rounded lobes at the tip. Capsule ellipsoid, ca. 8 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrows in seepy, marshy places along cold-air drainages, often where calcareous.

Northern TwaybladeListera borealis

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMORC1N030



# Observations: 72

General DescriptionStems 10–50 cm. Leaf blades white-hairy and glandular, 1–3 cm wide, suborbicular, twice deeply 3-lobed.Flowers 4 to 12; calyx obconic, 4–6 mm long; petals white, 6–9 mm long, 3-lobed. Capsule 5–7 mm long, fullyenclosed in the hypanthium (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, steppe, woodlands, open forest; plains, valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Small-flower Woodland-starLithophragma parviflorum

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAX0M080



# Observations: 56

General DescriptionGlabrous perennials from a short, vertical, bulb-like rhizome wrapped in old leaf bases. Stems ascending toerect, 4–12 cm. Leaves few, alternate, linear, 0.5–1 mm wide. Inflorescence usually a solitary, terminal flower.Flowers regular, campanulate; tepals spreading, separate, oblanceolate, 6–10 mm long, white with purplishveins; stamens shorter than tepals; style with 3 short lobes. Fruit an obovoid capsule 6–8 mm long(Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety serotina.

HabitatMoist turf, meadows, rarely fellfields; upper subalpine, alpine, rarely lower in calcareous soil (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Common Alpine-lilyLloydia serotina

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMLIL1B010



# Observations: 77

General DescriptionTaper-tip desert-parsley is a low, herbaceous perennial with stemsreaching 7-25 cm in height and bearing 1-2 nearly prostrate leaves onthe lower portion. The leaf stalks form a sheath around the stem andthe blades are broadly lance-shaped (2-11 cm long) and 3-4 timesdivided into oblong-linear segments, each 2-5 mm in length. The foliageis roughened like sandpaper. Tiny yellow flowers are borne atop the stems in 5-8 open, umbrella-like clusterswith stalks 1-5 cm in length. Each cluster is subtended by up to 6 pointed, linear, inconspicuous bracts, orinvolucels. Flowers have 5 separate petals atop an ovary that matures into a glabrous, elliptical, flattened fruit5-8 mm long with corky wings (about. 0.5 mm wide) and a stalk that is 3-10 mm long.

HabitatThe taper-tip desert-parsley grows in scree or dry, gravelly soil of south- or west-facing slopes in mountains,canyons and foothills (Vanderhorst and Heidel 1998). Subsurface horizons often have clay or silt accumulations,or the gravels are perched on shallow bedrock, ameliorating the droughty surface conditions. Most populationsare on limestone, but the species has also been found on igneous rock.

In Montana, populations of the species typically occur on dry, unstable, moderate to steep, south- or west-facing slopes in mountains, canyons and foothills (Vanderhorst and Heidel 1998). Its position on the slopevaries with substrate conditions. The steepest slopes are in canyons, formed from colluvium of overtoweringcliffs. Rock outcrops are present at nearly all sites. A few populations (e.g., near Bannack) extend onto nearlylevel ridgetops with shallow gravels overlying bedrock. Some large populations extend onto more mesicnorthern exposures and canyon bottoms or toeslopes.

Soils are generally poorly developed lithosols with a high proportion of gravel, commonly referred to as scree(Vanderhorst and Heidel 1998). The substrates are dry, loose, easily disturbed, and have high water infiltrationrates with little or no surface runoff. Surface horizons may be sandy, but subsurface horizons often have clay orsilt accumulations, or the gravels are perched on shallow bedrock, ameliorating the droughty surfaceconditions.

Most populations in the state occur on substrates with limestone parent material but it also grows on igneoussubstrate in the Tendoy Mountains and Grasshopper Creek and Cold Spring Creek drainages. In Wyoming, thisdesert-parsley is most often found on volcanics (W . Fertig, personal communication).

Taper-tip Desert-parsleyLomatium attenuatum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAPI1B240



# Observations: 659

General DescriptionPerennial from a shallow, branched caudex. Stems erect to ascending, 10–90 cm, simple or branched above,glabrate to sericeous. Leaves mostly cauline; lower petioles 2–15 cm long; leaflets 5 to 11, strigose tosericeous, sometimes glabrate above, 2–7 cm long with acute tips. Racemes moderately dense, greater thanthe leaves, 2–15 cm long. Flowers blue; calyx tube 1–3 mm long, flush with the pedicel or distended into aspur <1 mm long; upper lip 1–4 mm long; lower lip slightly longer; banner 4–11 mm long, glabrous or nearlyso, reflexed <45°; wings 5–13 mm long. Legume 8–25 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

The five varieties occuring in Montana are: argenteus, argentatus (Rydb.) Barneby, depressus (Rydb.) C.L.Hitchc., parviflorus (Nutt. ex Hook. & Arn.) C.L. Hitchc., and rubricaulis (Greene) S.L. Welsh.

HabitatGrasslands, sagebrush steppe, open forest, woodlands, fellfields; plains, valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Silvery LupineLupinus argenteus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2B0H0

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4?QState Rank: S4S5


# Observations: 7



Depressed LupineLupinus argenteus var. depressus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2B1C0

Status Under ReviewUndetermined OriginGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SNA


# Observations: 24

General DescriptionPerennial with shortly branching caudex; stems 1-several, 20-40(-60) cmtall, strigose. Petioles twice the length of blades or the upper onesshorter than blades. Leaves mainly cauline; leaflets 7-9, 2-5 cm long,acute or rarely rounded, equally hairy on both surfaces. Racemesterminal, 6-20 cm long. Flowers 10-12 mm long, calyx 3-4 mm long,base spurred or strongly saccate, upper lob bidentate, lower lobe entire; upper lobe bidentate, lower lobeentire; corrola light to deep blue or purple; banner lighter blue or whitish in the middle, reflected, normallyhairy in the middle of lower half; wings glabrous or hairy near the base; keel ciliate. Pods 2-2.5 cm long, silky;seeds 4-4.5 mm long, smooth (adapted from: McGregor, 1986, Flora of the Grea Plains).

HabitatRare in rocky prairie and gravelly stremas valleys (McGregor, 1986, in Flora of the Great Plains).

Kellogg's Spurred LupineLupinus caudatus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2B0W0




General DescriptionPerennial from a branched caudex. Stems erect to ascending, 20–60 cm,silky-strigose, branched above. Leaves basal and cauline; lower petioles3–10 cm long; leaflets 7 to 9, oblanceolate, sericeous on both surfaces,2–5 cm long with acute tips. Racemes somewhat open, higher than theleaves, 5–15 cm long. Flowers blue; calyx tube 1–2 mm long, villous;upper lip 3–5 mm long, ca. as long as the lower; banner 8–12 mm long, pubescent on much of the back,reflexed 60° or more; wings 9–12 mm long. Legume 2–3 cm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, sagebrush steppe, woodlands, dry open forest; plains, valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Pursh's Silky LupineLupinus sericeus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2B3K0



# Observations: 84

General DescriptionStems erect, 3–30 cm. Leaves sparsely hairy; blades 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence a nodding, solitary, terminal,cylindric, often compound spike 5–25 mm long with numerous flowers. Flowers: tepals purplish to brown,mucronate, 2–3 mm long; prophylls whitish, tangled-ciliate. Capsules globose, ca. 2 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, open forest, talus, rock ledges, turf; montane to alpine, more common higher (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Spiked WoodrushLuzula spicata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJUN020K0



# Observations: 35

General DescriptionRhizomes tuberous-thickened. Stems erect, 20–80 cm, usually simple, sometimes stoloniferous. Herbagesparsely strigose; stems hirsute. Leaves sessile, lanceolate, 3–8 cm long, serrate. Flowers: calyx 2–5 mm longwith 5 subulate lobes surpassing the nutlets; corolla white, 3–5 mm long. Nutlets 1.5–2 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMarshes, wet meadows, shores of lakes, streams; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Rough BugleweedLycopus asper

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDLAM0X040



# Observations: 240

General DescriptionAnnual to perennial. Stems prostrate to ascending 10–45 cm. Herbagesparsely villous. Leaflets obovate, 5–15 mm long. Inflorescence 5–10mm long with 10 to 35 nodding flowers. Flowers yellow, 2–3 mm long;calyx ca. 1.5 mm long. Legume 1-seeded, reniform, becoming black, sparsely glandular-hairy, veiny, 2–3 mmlong (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRoadsides, fields, lawns (where it can be a persistent weed), grasslands, woodlands, meadows; plains, valleys(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Black MedicMedicago lupulina

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2G050



# Observations: 146

General DescriptionDeep-rooted perennial. Stems ascending, 30–80 cm. Herbage glabrate to sparsely villous. Leafletsoblanceolate, 1–3 cm long. Inflorescence 1–5 cm long with 10 to 40 flowers. Flowers purple or white, 7–12 mmlong; calyx 4–7 mm long; sepals longer than the tube. Legume circular in 2 to 3 spirals, 3–5 mm wide, veiny,sparsely villous (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFields, roadsides; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

AlfalfaMedicago sativa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2G0A0



# Observations: 116

General DescriptionPlants: Bunchgrass. Stems 30–80 cm tall, often few-bunched, each from a bulbous corm base (Lavin in Lesica2012), the bases clustered atop short thick rhizomes (Hitchcock et al. 1969).

Leaves: Sheaths smooth to slightly rough from short, thick hairs, the sheath completely encircling the stem formost of its length (Cronquist et al. 1977); ligules 2–6 mm in length (Lavin in Lesica 2012), strongly lacerate;blades plane to involute (Cronquist et al. 1977), the lower surface minutely roughened and the upper side hairy(FNA 2007), 2–5 mm in width (Lavin in Lesica 2012)

Inflorescence: A narrow panicle or raceme 10–30 cm long, the pedicels stiff, erect, mostly bearing 1 or 2spikelets (Lavin in Lesica 2012).


HabitatMontane to subalpine elevations on sagebrush inclines (Cronquist et al. 1977), dry meadows, rocky slopes andopen understory (Lavin in Lesica 2012).


OniongrassMelica bulbosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA3X030



# Observations: 98

General DescriptionBunchgrass Stems 60–100 cm tall, loosely bunched each from a corm base. Leaves: blades 2–5 mm wide,ligules 1–2 mm long. Inflorescence a narrow panicle 5–25 cm long, the branches slender and twisted. Spikelets10–18 mm long. Lemmas: 4 to 8 per spikelet, awnless (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen montane slopes and meadows (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Showy OniongrassMelica spectabilis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA3X0G0



# Observations: 50

General DescriptionStems erect, 50–100 cm. Leaflets 1–3 cm long. Flowers white, 3–4 mmlong; calyx ca. 2 mm long with linear lobes. Legume 3–4 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatRoadsides, fields, streambanks; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

White SweetcloverMelilotus albus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2H010



# Observations: 428

General DescriptionSimilar to Melilotus alba; flowers yellow, 4–6 mm long; calyx ca. 2 mm long. Legume ca. 3 mm long (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFields, roadsides, grasslands, open slopes in badlands; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Yellow SweetcloverMelilotus officinalis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2H060



# Observations: 369

General DescriptionStems ascending or erect, 10–50 cm, mostly simple. Herbage densely tosparsely pubescent. Leaves short-petiolate; blade 2–7 cm long.Inflorescence of verticillasters in leaf axils. Flowers: calyx pubescent, 2–4 mm long, lobes acuminate; corolla purplish, 3–7 mm long, rarely 5-lobed (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatWet meadows, fens, shores of streams, wetlands; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Wild mintMentha arvensis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDLAM13020



# Observations: 7

General DescriptionUsually biennial. Stems branched, 20–80 cm. Leaves oblanceolate andpetiolate below to lanceolate and sessile above, 4–12 cm long, deeplylobed to serrate. Flowers light yellow with pinnatifid bracts below thehypanthium, nocturnal; sepals 2–3 cm long; petals 5, lanceolate, 3–6 cm long. Capsule broadly cylindric, 2–4cm long; seeds flattened, broadly winged, horizontal in several columns (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSparsely vegetated soil of steep slopes, roadsides; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Giant blazingstarMentzelia laevicaulis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDLOA030S0



# Observations: 291

General DescriptionPlants with a branched caudex. Stems ascending to erect, 20–90 cm.Herbage mostly glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline; blades lanceolateto ovate, 3–12 cm long; lateral veins obvious. Flowers: calyx 1–3 mmlong, divided to the base, lobes rounded at the tip, ciliate; corolla 10–15 mm long; tube with or without hairsinside, 1–1.2 times as long as the limb; filaments inserted at the fornices, ca. as long as the anthers; stylehigher than the anthers. Nutlets 2–3 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet meadows, thickets, moist open forest, talus, often along streams; montane, lower alpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Streamside BluebellsMertensia ciliata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBOR0N070



# Observations: 73

General DescriptionPerennial from a horizontal rootstock. Stems solitary, scapose, erect, 10–60 cm, glabrous below, glandular-hairy above. Leaves all basal, long-petiolate; the blade glabrous, usually ciliate, suborbicular, 2–8 cm wide,dentate. Inflorescence glandular, open-paniculate. Flowers: calyx saucer-shaped with lobes 1–2 mm long, oftenpurplish; hypanthium <0.5 mm long; petals white with 2 green or yellow, basal spots, broadly elliptic, 2–3 mmlong; ovary superior. Capsule 4–8 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatAlong streams, springs, lakes, often on wet, mossy rocks; montane, lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Streambank SaxifrageMicranthes odontoloma

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAX0U180



# Observations: 55

General DescriptionPerennial from a horizontal rootstock. Stems usually solitary, scapose, erect, 15–70 cm, glandular-hairy. Leavesall basal, broadly short-petiolate; the blade sparsely pubescent, lanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, 4–20 cmlong, minutely dentate. Inflorescence glandular, paniculate, open or interruptedly congested. Flowers: calyxcup-shaped with lobes 1–2 mm long; hypanthium 1 mm or less long; petals white, ovate, 2–4 mm long; ovary1/2 inferior at anthesis, becoming more superior at maturity. Capsule 2–4 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet meadows, fens, streambanks; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Bog SaxifrageMicranthes oregana

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAX0U1A0



# Observations: 190

General DescriptionAnnual to perennial, sometimes stoloniferous. Stems prostrate to erect,simple, sometimes rooting at the nodes, 4–70 cm. Herbage glabrous tosparsely glandular-pubescent above. Leaves short-petiolate below,sessile above, blades ovate, serrate, 0.5–9 cm long. Flowers: calyx 6–14 mm long, teeth acute, 0.5–3 mm long, upper tooth longer; pedicel 2 to 3 times as long as calyx; corolla 15–40 mm long, yellow, red-spotted, strongly bilabiate, lips spreading, palate closing the throat. Capsule 5–12mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow water of streams or vernally moist soil of wet cliffs, seeps, springs; valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Common Large MonkeyflowerMimulus guttatus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR1B1E0



# Observations: 39

General DescriptionPlants forming loose mats with glandular-hairy foliage. Stems ascendingor trailing, brittle, 3–25 cm. Leaves 1-veined, 5–10 mm long, rigid,mucronate. Flowers in few-flowered cymes; sepals 1-veined, 3–5 mmlong, lance-shaped, acuminate; petals shorter than or equal to sepals. Capsule shorter than calyx (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety nuttallii.

HabitatRocky slopes, talus, especially limestone; montane to alpine, more common higher (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Nuttall's SandwortMinuartia nuttallii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCAR0G0M0

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5?State Rank: S4S5


# Observations: 72

General DescriptionStems 10–60 cm. Leaf blades 1–8 cm wide, suborbicular with crenate margins. Inflorescence of 5 to 25 flowersmaturing upward. Flowers saucer-shaped; calyx 2–3 mm wide, the lobes spreading to reflexed; petals 1–3 mmlong with 3 to 4 pairs of lobes; stamens 5, opposite the petals. Capsule almost completely inferior (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist to wet forest, cliffs, stony wet meadows, often along streams, growing in moss; montane to uppersubalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Fivestamen MitrewortMitella pentandra

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAX0N070



# Observations: 78

General DescriptionAchlorophyllous, mycotrophic, firm-fleshy perennial herbs. Stems erect,to 25 cm, simple, yellowish to reddish-orange, aging dark brown. Leavesbract-like, alternate, sessile, ovate-lanceolate, colored as the stem.Inflorescence a crowded, few-flowered, terminal raceme nodding at anthesis, elongating and becoming erect infruit; pedicels, elongating in fruit. Flowers hypogynous; perianth yellowish; terminal flower 5-merous; thosebelow mostly 4-merous; petals separate, longer than the separate sepals; subtending bracts orange toreddish; stamens 8 or 10; ovary superior. Fruit a subglobose, 4- to 5-chambered capsule (Stickney in Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDrier confierous forests; montane, subalpine (Stickney in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

American PinesapMonotropa hypopithys

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDMON03020


Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4State Rank: S3?


# Observations: 15

General DescriptionPerennial with well-developed rhizomes. Stems 30–80 cm tall, oftenloosely bunched. Leaves: blades 2–4 mm wide; ligule about 1 mm long.Inflorescence a spike-like panicle 5–13 cm long. Spikelets 2.5–3.5 mmlong. Lemmas with an awn 3–9 mm long, callus hairs as long as thelemma (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDamp but often well-drained soils (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Foxtail MuhlyMuhlenbergia andina

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# Observations: 22

General DescriptionPerennial with slender rhizomes. Stems 10–50 cm tall, spreading to erect and sometimes aggregated intopatches. Leaves: blades 1–3 mm wide; ligule about 1 mm long. Inflorescence an open panicle 5–20 cm long.Spikelets 1–2 mm long. Lemmas usually 1, rarely 2, per spikelet, awn-tipped, callus hairs very short to lacking(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDamp and often alkaline soils along streams and low areas in pastures (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Alkali MuhlyMuhlenbergia asperifolia

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# Observations: 44

General DescriptionAnnual. Stems 5–18 cm. Leaves: blades 0.5–1.5 mm wide, ligule 1–2mm long. Inflorescence a spike-like panicle 2–6 cm long. Spikelets 2–2.5 mm long. Lemmas awnless or awn-tipped, callus hairs very short orlacking (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist well-drained soils, around hot springs, and edges of montane meadows (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Pullup MuhlyMuhlenbergia filiformis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA480N0



# Observations: 20

General DescriptionPerennial with well-developed woody rhizomes. Stems loosely bunchedand often in patches, 30–90 cm tall, branching mostly at ground level,internodes lightly hairy and with a dull texture. Leaves: blades 2–6 mmwide, ligule <1 mm long. Inflorescence a contracted panicle 3–11 cm long. Spikelets 4–6 mm long. Lemmaslightly hairy at the base and up the margins, awn-tipped or rarely short-awned, callus hairs short to absent(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOn regularly disturbed well drained soils including road cuts (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Spike MuhlyMuhlenbergia glomerata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA480U0



# Observations: 119

General DescriptionPerennial with well-developed rhizomes. Stems decumbent and oftenmat-forming, 5–25 cm tall, rough with small bumps just below thenodes, bases slender just like the more distal portions of the stem.Leaves: blades mostly 1–2 mm wide, ligule about 1–2 mm long. Inflorescence a narrow contracted panicle 2–12cm long. Spikelets 2–3 mm long. Lemmas not hairy, awn-tipped, callus hairs short to absent (Lavin in Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen dry to moist sites often on well drained and somewhat disturbed soils from low to montane elevations(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Mat MuhlyMuhlenbergia richardsonis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA481G0



# Observations: 63

General DescriptionPLANTS: Warm season, annual bunchgrass. Stems often mat-forming,3–10 cm (Lesica et al. 2012). Plants are stoloniferous (FNA 2003).Plants are white-hairy; these hairs are delicate and prone to falling offwhen the plants are collected.

LEAVES: Blades 1.5–2.5 mm wide, flat and ascending, and clustered at nodes (Lesica et al. 2012). Leavessometimes have a purple tinge (FNA 2003). Throat with stiff hairs of up to 2 mm length. Ligule is a fringe ofhairs 0.5–1 mm long. Sheaths with overlapping margins (Lesica et al. 2012).

INFLORESCENCE: A cluster of spikelets concealed among leaf sheaths. Spikelets 6–8 mm long with 3 to 4florets (Lesica et al. 2012).

HabitatSporadic in open dry and regularly disturbed sites such as along roadsides and overgrazed pastures (Lesica etal. 2012).

False BuffalograssMunroa squarrosa

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# Observations: 109

General DescriptionSubacalescent, often with a short pseudoscape. Herbage glabrate.Leaves subopposite; blades ovate in outline, 2–12 cm long, pinnatewith sharply lobed leaflets; ultimate segments crowded, 3–10 mm long.Umbels: peduncles ascending, 1–10 cm long, ca. as long as the leaves; rays 1–2 cm long; involucel bracts, 1–7mm long, scarious-margined. Flowers yellow. Mericarps 2–4 mm long, scabrous; oil tubes 3 to 4 per interval(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOften stony soil of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, woodlands; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Wild ParsleyMusineon divaricatum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAPI1C010




# Observations: 2



Yellow-and-blue Forget-me-notMyosotis discolor

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBOR0P060




General DescriptionStems whitish when dry, branched. Leaves 4-whorled, 1–4 cm long,divided into 10 to 24 filiform segments. Bracts 1–3 mm long ca. as longas the fruits. Female flowers with a vestigial calyx and corolla; bractsdentate, smaller than the flowers. Male flowers with small, pink petals;bracts narrowly ovate, entire, smaller than the flowers; stamens 8.Mericarps 2–3 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow to rather deep water of ponds, lakes; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Common Water-milfoilMyriophyllum sibiricum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDHAL040H0



# Observations: 37

General DescriptionNoccaea parviflora is a taprooted biennial or short-lived perennial that reaches 1-3 dm in height and is oftenbranched above the middle of the stem. The foliage is glabrous and glaucous, and basal leaves are 5-15 mmlong with a slender stalk and narrowly elliptic blades that are sometimes toothed. Stems leaves are sessileand clasp the stem. Flowers are borne on short, nearly horizontal stalks in a narrow inflorescence thatelongates as the fruits mature. The four white petals are 2-3 mm long, and the four green sepals 1-1.5 mmlong. The oblanceolate, flattened fruits are 5-7 mm long, with a style up of to 0.5 mm.

HabitatNoccaea parviflora is found in north-central Wyoming, east-central Idaho and southwest Montana. In Montanait is known from Beaverhead, Carbon, Madison, Park and Silver Bow counties, where it is found from mid-elevation grasslands to alpine turf (6,500 to 10,000 feet). It most often inhabits sagebrush steppe dominatedby Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana and Festuca idahoensis. Several moisture-loving species, such as Juncusbalticus and Potentilla fruticosa, are often also present in these habitats. Noccaea parviflora has also beenfound occasionally in alpine turf communities, ranging from moist habitats dominated by Deschampsiacespitosa and Carex scirpoidea to drier sites supporting Carex elynoides.

Small-flowered PennycressNoccaea parviflora

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA2P050

Potential Species ofConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4State Rank: S3S4


# Observations: 21

General DescriptionStems 1–4 cm above ground. Herbage purplish, puberulent.Inflorescence a glandular, crowded, bracteate corymb; pedicelsascending to erect, 3–9 mm long. Flowers: calyx 11–17 mm long; sepalslinear, 7–14 mm long; corolla 20–25 mm long, light purple, yellowishwithin the mouth, the lobes 6–8 mm long. Capsule 8–14 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSagebrush steppe; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Flat-topped BroomrapeOrobanche corymbosa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDORO04040

Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G3G4State Rank: S3?


# Observations: 8

General DescriptionContracted Indian ricegrass is a tufted perennial with glabrous stems 30-64 cm (12-28 in) tall. The infloresenceis a panicle with branches that are intially contracted, hence the common name, but which become stifflyspreading at maturity. Spikelets are single flowered, slender, and 1.5 cm (3/4 in) long. Each hardened narrowlyelliptic spikelet, 5-7 mm long, has 2 glumes enclosing the short-hairy lemma with an awn, 6-12 mm long.

HabitatSandy or gravelly soil of grasslands and sagebrush steppe in the valleys and montane zone.

Contracted Indian RicegrassOryzopsis contracta

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA4J0E0



# Observations: 65

General DescriptionGlabrous taprooted perennial. Stems simple or branched above, 3–35 cm. Leaves basal, long-petiolate withsheathing stipules (ocrea); the blade 1–5 cm wide, nearly orbicular, cordate. Inflorescence a panicle of clustersof short-pedicelate flowers subtended by stipule-like bracts. Flowers: tepals 4, separate, red or green, 1–2 mmlong; stamens 6; styles 2. Achenes oval, 3–5 mm wide with broad, winged margins (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatStony, moist to wet soil of moraine, rock outcrops, meadows, talus slopes; upper subalpine and alpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Mountain-sorrelOxyria digyna

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPGN0H010


Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4G5T3T4State Rank: S3


# Observations: 74



Hare's-foot LocoweedOxytropis lagopus var. lagopus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2X0A3



# Observations: 3

General DescriptionParry's Crazyweed is a low perennial herb with 1-4 leafless stems thatare 2-7 cm high and arising from a branched rootcrown. The basal,pinnately compound leaves have 9-19 narrowly elliptic, pointed leafletsthat are 3-10 mm long. Membranous appendages, or stipules, areattached to the base of the long petioles. The foliage is covered withlong, silky hairs. 1-3 sessile, pea-like, purple flowers are clustered at the tip of the stem. The upper petal ofeach flower is 7-10 mm long, bent forward, and barely longer than the lateral (wing) petals. The united lowerpetals, or keel, are shorter and have a prolonged point at their tip. The black-hairy calyx has 5 narrow lobesand is 3/4 the length of the corolla. The ascending, narrowly egg-shaped pods are 15-23 mm long, covered withappressed black hairs, and have a short, pointed beak.

HabitatGravelly, calcareous soil on exposed ridgetops in the alpine zone.

Parry's LocoweedOxytropis parryi

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB2X0J0



# Observations: 41

General DescriptionPLANTS: Stems mostly solitary, 3–20 cm with a sessile but not clasping, lanceolate to narrowly ovate bract(Lesica et al. 2012).

LEAVES: Leaf blades ovate, 1–3 cm long, tapered to the petiole.

INFLORESCENCE: Terminal, solitary flower (FNA 2016). Calyx lobes purple-tinged, 4–7 mm long, 5-veined, oftenwith a few purple, glandular hairs; petals ovate, 4–7 mm long; staminodia oblong with 5 to 7 capitate lobes.Capsule 5–10 mm long. Lesica (2012) treats this at the specific level (Lesica et al. 2012).

HabitatOften calcareous fens, seeps, along streams; montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Smallflower Grass-of-ParnassusParnassia parviflora

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAX0P0A0



# Observations: 37

General DescriptionPerennial with a branched caudex and scabrous foliage, forming dense mats to 15 cm across. Stems ascending,branched, 2–10 cm long. Leaves crowded, overlapping, linear-subulate, leathery, 3–7 mm long with white-scarious, attenuate stipules longer than the leaves. Flowers terminal, usually solitary, hidden among theleaves; sepals 5, 3–5 mm long, narrowly lanceolate, long-attenuate and awned, united below, yellowish;petals absent or minute; stamens 5; Style 1 with 2 stigmas. Fruit a utricle enclosed by the calyx (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSparsely vegetated, often stony soil of exposed slopes, ridge crests; plains, valleys to montane (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Low NailwortParonychia sessiliflora

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCAR0L0Q0

Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T3State Rank: S2S3


# Observations: 16


HabitatWooded or open slopes and drier meadows in the montane to subalpine zones.

Pink Coil-beaked LousewortPedicularis contorta var. ctenophora

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR1K092



# Observations: 32

General DescriptionStems unsegmented, solitary or clumped, 7–12 cm high, buried in the soil, globose with spirally arrangedtubercles. Spines 20 to 40 per areole; the central 3 to 10, straight, yellow to reddish, 6–12 mm long; marginalspines smaller, whitish. Flowers 10–15 mm long, borne near tip of tubercles; tepals yellow-green to magenta,the outer with greenish midstripe. Fruits narrow-globose, 6–8 mm long, green-tinged with red. Our plants arevar. simpsonii (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety simpsonii.

HabitatFine-textured, often stony soil of steppe, grasslands; valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Simpson's Hedgehog CactusPediocactus simpsonii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCAC0E070



# Observations: 30

General DescriptionLeaves 4–15 cm long with petiole shorter than the blade. Leaf bladelinear, once pinnate. Pinnae ascending, some 2-lobed or mitten-shaped.Sporangia with 64 spores (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatCrevices of limestone cliffs; montane to treeline.This species is strongly associated with Paleozoic rockformations (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Brewer's CliffbrakePellaea breweri

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPADI0H040



# Observations: 188

General DescriptionStems 5–25 cm. Herbage glabrous to puberulent on the stems. Basal leaf blades densely clustered, linear orlinear-oblanceolate, entire, 1–5 cm long. Stem leaves linear, entire, 1–5 cm long. Inflorescence of 1 to 5, open,few-flowered, sparsely glandular verticillasters. Flowers: calyx often bluish, 3–6 mm long; sepals lanceolate toovate, sometimes erose- and scarious-margined; corolla blue, 10–18 mm long, glandular; anthers glabrous,opening across their full length. Capsule 4–7 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRocky soil of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, woodlands, exposed ridges, slopes; montane, subalpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Stiff-leaf BeardtonguePenstemon aridus

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# Observations: 63

General DescriptionStems ascending to erect, 5–70 cm. Herbage glabrous to puberulent on the stems. Basal leaf bladesoblanceolate to elliptic, entire, 2–10 cm long. Stem leaves narrowly lanceolate to oblanceolate, entire to rarelydenticulate, 2–10 cm long. Inflorescence with 2 to 4 verticillasters, glandular. Flowers: calyx 3–6 mm long;sepals lanceolate to narrowly ovate, acuminate, scarious-margined; corolla blue, 1–2 cm long, glandular;anthers glabrous. Capsule 3–6 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Our plants are varieties attenuatus and pseudoprocerus (Rydb.) Cronquist.

HabitatStony soil; montane to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Taper-leaf BeardtonguePenstemon attenuatus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR1L0H0



# Observations: 46

General DescriptionStems 5–25 cm. Herbage densely puberulent. Basal leaf bladesoblanceolate, entire, 1–5 cm long. Stem leaves narrowly oblanceolate,entire, 1–5 cm long. Inflorescence of 2 to 7 glandular verticillasters.Flowers: calyx 3–5 mm long; sepals lanceolate to ovate, acuminate, thinly scarious-margined; corolla blue, 10–16 mm long, glandular; anthers glabrous, opening across their full length. Capsule 3–6 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWA to MT south to CA, NV, UT, CO. One collection from Beaverhead County; reported for Madison County(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Low BeardtonguePenstemon humilis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR1L350



# Observations: 395

General DescriptionStems erect, 5–50 cm. Herbage glabrous or puberulent on the stems. Basal leaf blades oblanceolate, entire, 2–6 cm long. Stem leaves lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 1–8 cm long. Inflorescence of 2 to 4 well-separated,dense, glabrous verticillasters; bracts scarious-margined, acuminate. Flowers: calyx 3–4 mm long; sepalslanceolate, erose- and scarious-margined, acuminate; corolla blue, sometimes with a white tube, 6–10 mmlong, glabrous; anthers glabrous, opening across their full length. Capsule 3–5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety procerus.

HabitatMoist meadows, grasslands, open forest; valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Small-flower BeardtonguePenstemon procerus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR1L530



# Observations: 74

General DescriptionPerennial, often with a branched caudex. Stems ascending to erect, usually simple, 5–25 cm. Herbage sparselystrigose, hirsute above. Leaves mostly basal; blade 2–8 cm long, oblanceolate, pinnately lobed ca. halfwayinto deltoid segments. Inflorescence a densely flowered, compound, terminal cyme. Flowers: calyx hirsute 4–6mm long; corolla campanulate, blue, pubescent, 5–9 mm long, lobes 3–5 mm long; stamens, exserted, ca. 2times as long as corolla; style exserted, divided <1/2-way. Seeds several, reticulate (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMeadows, along streams, rocky slopes; subalpine, alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Lyall PhaceliaPhacelia lyallii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDHYD0C2T0



# Observations: 918

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems mostly 90–200 cm tall, forming densestands. Leaves: blades 6–18 mm wide, ligules 4–10 mm long.Inflorescences a contracted panicle 8–35 cm long. Spikelets 4–7 mmlong. Lemmas with one hairless seed-bearing floret and two lower sterile florets that are each a minute scalecovered with long hairs (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRiparian and wetland habitats mostly at lower to middle elevations throughout the state (Lavin in Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Reed CanarygrassPhalaris arundinacea

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA4R030



# Observations: 455

General DescriptionStems 20–50 cm tall, not bulbous at base. Leaves: blades 4–7 mmwide, sheath subtending the inflorescence inflated, ligules 1–4 mmlong. Inflorescence 1–6 cm long and 5–13 mm wide. Spikelets 3–4.5 mmlong. Lemmas 2–2.5 mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatCommon in mountain meadows, open understory, and subalpine to alpine (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Mountain TimothyPhleum alpinum

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General DescriptionStems 50–140 cm tall, bulbous at the base. Leaves: blades 5–9 mm wide, sheath subtending inflorescence notinflated. Inflorescence 6–12 cm long and 5–8 mm wide. Spikelets 3–4 mm long. Lemmas 2.5–2 mm long (Lavinin Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMountain meadows, pastures, rangeland, and along roadsides and trails at middle to higher elevations (Lavinin Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Meadow TimothyPhleum pratense

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# Observations: 35

General DescriptionTaprooted, forming loose to dense mats. Stems prostrate to ascending,3–12 cm, glabrous or sparsely hirsute and glandular. Leaves firm tosucculent, linear, 8–25 mm long, glabrous to glandular-puberulent, oftenciliate. Flowers solitary; calyx glabrate to glandular-villous, 6–12 mm long with flat intercostal membranes;corolla white to blue, the tube 9–16 mm long, lobes 5–9 mm long; style 4–7 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are varieties kelseyi and missoulensis (Wherry) Cronquist.


Kelsey's PhloxPhlox kelseyi

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPLM0D140



# Observations: 330

General DescriptionTaprooted with creeping subterranean branches. Stems loosely tufted, erect, simple, 8–35 cm, glabrous belowto glandular-pubescent above. Leaves linear to lance-linear, 2–10 cm long, glabrate. Flowers 3 or more in upperin a leafy-bracted cymes; pedicels 7–30 mm long; calyx 8–12 mm long with keeled intercostal membranes;corolla white to pink, the tube 12–15 mm long, lobes 6–12 mm long; style 6–15 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSagebrush steppe, grasslands, forest openings, roadsides; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Longleaf PhloxPhlox longifolia

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# Observations: 112

General DescriptionTaprooted, loosely mat-forming. Stems prostrate to ascending, 3–12cm, glabrous below, villous, glandular above. Leaves pliable, linear, 12–30 mm long, glabrate, minutely scabrous, sometimes sparsely villous.Flowers 1 to 3, very fragrant; calyx glabrous to villous, 9–12 mm long with flat intercostal membranes; corollawhite, the tube 8–15 mm long, lobes 6–11 mm long; style 5–8 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSagebrush steppe, grasslands, open forests; montane to lower alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Many-flowered PhloxPhlox multiflora

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# Observations: 78

General DescriptionTaprooted, mat-forming. Stems ascending, 1–6 cm, glandular-pubescent. Leaves stiff, linear, 5–12 mm long, ciliate, glandular-pubescent. Flowers solitary, sessile; calyx glandular-villous, 5–8 mmlong with flat intercostal membranes; corolla white to blue, the tube 9–13 mm long, lobes 4–7 mm long; style 2–5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFellfields, turf, rock outcrops; subalpine, alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Cushion PhloxPhlox pulvinata

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# Observations: 13

General DescriptionPLANTS (species level): Cool season, rhizomatous perennial. Stems 1.5-3.5 m, forming dense stands (Lesica2012).

LEAVES (species level): Blades 2–4 cm wide, flat and lax to ascending; sheaths with overlapping margins;ligules hairy, 3–6 mm long (Lesica 2012).

INFLORESCENCE (species level): A plumose panicle 15–32 cm long. Spikelets 11–14 mm long, with 3 to 8florets, the florets covered by silky hairs from the rachilla; glumes shorter than the florets. Lemmas hairless,with an awn-like tip; the rachilla with long silky hairs; palea well developed. Disarticulation above the glumes;unit of dispersal the floret (Lesica 2012).

In Montana, common reed consists of two subspecies (ssp.): ssp. americanus is native and more commonwhile ssp. australis is introduced and very localized. Populations can be easily identified to the subspecieslevel (see diagnostic characteristics).

HabitatMargins of ponds, marshes, and river floodplains (Lesica 2012). Often where there is disturbance.

American Common ReedPhragmites australis ssp. americanus

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Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G3T3State Rank: S3


# Observations: 41

General DescriptionStems ascending to prostrate, 3–10 cm from a simple caudex clothed in old leaf bases. Basal leaves 15–40 mmlong; the blades orbicular to rhombic, deeply few-toothed or lyrate. Stem leaves oblanceolate to spatulate,entire. Vestiture of dense, stellate hairs with branched stellae. Petals 8–12 mm long. Fruit of 2 ovate lobes,inflated, 7–11 mm high, the apical sinus deep, the basal sinus absent; style 5–7 mm long; seeds 2 per locule;pedicels spreading, straight to curved, 5–10 mm long. Our plants are subspecies dentata (Rollins) O'Kane(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatTypically found in limestone-derived talus, fellfields, and gravelly slopes at moderate to high elevations.

Rocky Mountain TwinpodPhysaria saximontana var. dentata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA220L1




General DescriptionTrees up to ca. 50 m tall with narrow, spire-like crowns. Bark gray toreddish brown. Leaves blue-green, 1–2 cm long. Seed cones 3–6 cmlong, yellow- to purple-brown. Scales widest above middle with wavymargins along the tip (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist to wet forests, often along streams, wetlands; valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Engelmann SprucePicea engelmannii

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Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G3?State Rank: S3

Agency StatusUSFWS: CUSFS: CANDIDATEBLM: SENSITIVEMNPS Threat Rank:C-value:


Small tree to 25 m tall with ascending branches and a rounded or flat-topped crown. Bark smooth, light gray. Leaves yellow-green, 2–6 cmlong, 5 per fascicle. Seed cones ovoid, 4–8 cm long, remaining on thetree and closed until opened and/or dislodged by squirrels or birds.Scales thin at the base but thickened toward the tip. Seeds wingless,7–11 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSubalpine and krummholtz habitats in most mountain ranges.

Whitebark PinePinus albicaulis

Range Year-round

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General DescriptionSmall, slender tree to 35 m with whorled horizontal branches forming aconical crown. Bark thin, scaly, brown or gray. Leaves yellow-green, 4–8cm long, 2 per fascicle. Seed cones ovoid but asymmetrical, 2–6 cmlong. Scales tongue-shaped with a spine tip. Seeds with a conspicuous wing. Our plants are variety latifolia(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatIn mixed or nearly pure forest stands; valleys to treeline (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Lodgepole PinePinus contorta

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General DescriptionSmall tree to 15 m tall, very similar to P. albicaulis. Leaves green, 5 per fascicle, 3–7 cm long. Seed conesovoid, 7–14 cm long, falling shortly after opening. Scales rhombic, thinner towards the tip. Seeds 10–15 mmlong, wingless (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRocky slopes and ridges; montane, occasionally subalpine, rarely plains and valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Limber PinePinus flexilis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PGPIN040F0




General DescriptionLarge trees to 65 m tall with an open, rounded crown and spreading branches. Bark of old trees thick, furrowed,covered with scales that resemble pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Leaves yellow-green, 7–25 cm long, 2–3 perfascicle, clustered on branch ends. Seed cones broadly ovoid, 7–15 cm long. Scales thick with a terminalprickle. Seeds with a conspicuous wing. Our plants are var. scopulorum (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDrier forests as well as rocky exposures (especially sandstone) associated with grasslands; plains, valleys tomontane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Ponderosa PinePinus ponderosa

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# Observations: 15

General DescriptionPerennial. Herbage succulent, glabrous to sparsely villous; caudexbrown-wooly. Leaf blades oblanceolate to elliptic, 3–20 cm long.Inflorescence: scape 4–25 cm; spikes 3–20 cm long, narrowly cylindric;bracts glabrous, 2–3 mm long. Flowers: sepals glabrous; corolla lobes 1–2 mm long. Capsule 3–4 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFine-textured, moist, saline or alkaline soil, often around wetlands, streams; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Saline PlantainPlantago eriopoda

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPLN020E0



# Observations: 118

General DescriptionStems 15–60 cm. Leaves cauline, 3–15 cm long, lanceolate. Inflorescence dense, 3–20 cm long with 8 to 50+flowers; bracts 1–4 cm long. Flowers yellowish green; lateral sepals 3–6 mm long; hood 2–5 mm long; lip petal3–5 mm long, narrowly lanceolate, spreading forward; spur cylindric, curved, 3–6 mm long. Capsule 10–15 mmlong (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Lesica (2012) treats this species as Platanthera hyperborea (L.) Lindl., but also points out the taxonomicdifficulties associated with Montana material.

HabitatOften calcareous fens, wet meadows, seeps; montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Northern Green OrchidPlatanthera aquilonis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMORC1Y150



# Observations: 306

General DescriptionStems 15–70 cm. Leaves cauline, 3–20 cm long, lanceolate. Inflorescence dense, 4–25 cm long with 10 to 50+flowers; bracts 5–40 mm long. Flowers white; lateral sepals 4–8 mm long; hood 4–6 mm long; lip petal 4–9mm long, broadened at the base, pendent; spur sac-like to slender, curved, 2–12 mm long. Capsule 8–15 mmlong (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Platanthera dilatata has three varieties in Montana: albiflora, dilatata, and leucostachya (Lesica 2012). Theyare separated by the length of the spur relative to the lip of the flower. However, these characteristics arevariable and cannot be separated base don ecology or geography. This species can also hybridize with otherPlatanthera species.

HabitatWet soil of meadows, fens, thickets, open forest, often along streams, ditches; valleys to lower subalpine(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

White Bog OrchidPlatanthera dilatata

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# Observations: 29

General DescriptionTaprooted perennial with a brown-wooly branched crown. Stems erect,spine-tipped, 15–40 cm, branched. Herbage glabrate to weaklytomentose with milky sap. Leaves alternate, cauline, linear, entire, 5–30 mm long, inconspicuous. Inflorescence heads solitary on upper spine-like branches. Heads ligulate; involucre cylindric, 7–13 mm high;phyllaries linear-oblanceolate in 2 series, the outer short; receptacle flat, naked. Ray flowers 3 to 5, perfect,pinkish. Pappus 2 series of minutely barbed bristle in 2 series, tan. Achenes tubular, 6–8 mm long, 5-ribbed,glabrous (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatIn Montana, spiny skeletonweed is known from Madison County, where it occupies arid grasslands on stonyloam at lower elevations (5000-6400 feet). Agropyron spicatum typically dominates, however Stipa comata,Festuca idahoensis, Bouteloua gracilis, and ground cover of Selaginella densa are locally co-dominant orabundant. Associates include Antennaria rosea, Artemisia frigida, Astragalus adsurgens, Astragalus terminalis,Heterotheca villosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Koeleria macrantha, Musineon divaricatum, Oxytropis sericea, Phloxhoodii, Poa secunda, and Senecio canus.

Spiny SkeletonweedPleiacanthus spinosus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST8U0E0



# Observations: 202

General DescriptionPerennial bunchgrass. Stems 10–30 cm. Leaves: blades 2–4.5 mm wide;ligules 2–4 mm long. Inflorescence a pyramidal panicle 3–7 cm long.Spikelets 4–6.5 mm long. Lemmas strongly keeled and uniformly hairy(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMostly subalpine to alpine or montane open understory (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Alpine BluegrassPoa alpina

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA4Z030



# Observations: 72

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial sometimes loosely bunched. Stems 20–60 cm. Leaves: blades 2–4 mm wide, mostly onstem towards stem base; ligules 2–4 mm long. Inflorescence usually a narrow panicle, less commonly open, 5–11 cm long. Spikelets 4–7 mm long. Lemmas lightly hairy on the keel and marginal veins (Lavin in Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShrub steppe and similar open dry sites (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Prairie BluegrassPoa arida

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# Observations: 229

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems 20–50 dm, wiry and flattened, nodesoften distinctly bent and banded with contrasting lighter and darkerbands. Leaves: blades 1.5–4 mm wide, from stem, rarely basal; ligules1–3 mm long. Inflorescence a narrow panicle 2–8 cm long. Spikelets 3–6 mm long. Lemmas with cobwebbyhairs at very base (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRoadside, road cuts, trailside, along ditches, and on open slopes and other open site with a combination ofmoisture and regular moderate disturbance (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Canada BluegrassPoa compressa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA4Z0K0



# Observations: 76

General DescriptionPerennial bunchgrass. Stems 10–20 cm. Leaves: blades mostly 1–2.5mm wide, ligules 1–4 mm long. Inflorescence a narrow panicle 2–8 cmlong. Spikelets 4–6 mm long. Lemmas covered with few hairs or hairy tosometimes cobwebby on keel and marginal veins (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAlpine and subalpine settings (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

White BluegrassPoa glauca

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA4Z0Z0




General DescriptionPerennial rhizomatous sodgrass. Stems 10–80 cm. Leaves: blades 2–4 mm wide, mostly basal; ligules 1–2 mmlong. Inflorescence an open pyramidal panicle, 3–13 cm long. Spikelets 4–6 mm long. Lemmas with a cobwebbybase and hairy along the mid and margin veins (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatLow to high elevations in open vegetation, roadsides, dry meadows, lawns, and riparian habitats. Introducedand native and a fairly aggressive colonizer (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Kentucky BluegrassPoa pratensis

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General DescriptionPerennial bunchgrass. Stems 20–120 cm. Leaves: blades 1–3 mm wide; ligules 1–5 mm long. Inflorescence acontracted to open panicle mostly 7–24 cm long. Spikelets 6–10 mm long. Lemmas hairless or scabrous toshort-hairy, rounded on back (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatShrub steppe vegetation and in open dry and saline settings throughout the state from low to high elevations(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Sandberg BluegrassPoa secunda

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA4Z2Y0



# Observations: 25

General DescriptionPerennial bunchgrass sometimes with short rhizomes (i.e., widelydiverging tillers). Stems 40–70 cm tall, erect, sheaths glabrous to morecommonly short hairy or scabrous. Leaves: blades 2–3.5 mm wide,ligules 0.5–2 mm long. Inflorescence an open panicle, often nodding, 5–11 cm long. Spikelets 6–9 mm long.Lemmas 3–6 mm long, hairless or scabrous (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen to closed montane understory (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Wheeler's BluegrassPoa wheeleri

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# Observations: 137

General DescriptionTufted perennial from a simple or branched caudex. Stems erect, simple or basally branched, 5–30 cm. Herbageglabrous, glandular-puberulent. Leaves mostly basal, 5–15 cm long; blades with 11–23 lanceolate, entireleaflets 5–10 mm long. Inflorescence a terminal, leafy-bracted cyme. Flowers: calyx 4–7 mm long; corollabroadly funnel-form, tube yellow at the apex, 4–5 mm long, lobes 4–8 mm long; stamens and style shorterthan the corolla. Capsule 3–5 mm long, enclosed in the calyx (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety pulcherrimum.

HabitatStony soil of outcrops, grasslands, meadows, talus slopes; valleys to subalpine, more common lower (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Showy Jacob's-ladderPolemonium pulcherrimum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPLM0E0J0



# Observations: 73

General DescriptionTufted perennial from a simple or usually branched caudex. Stems erect, simple, 5–25 cm. Herbage denselyglandular-villous. Leaves all or mostly basal; blades with 10 to 25 leaflets; leaflets deeply palmately dividedgiving the appearance of whorled leaflets; the 2 to 5 ovate lobes 1–6 mm long. Inflorescence a terminal, leafy-bracted cyme. Flowers: calyx 7–13 mm long; corolla funnel-form; tube 10–16 mm long, lobes 5–10 mm long;stamens and style ca. as long as the corolla (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatFellfields, rocky slopes, talus; alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Skunk PolemoniumPolemonium viscosum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPLM0E0M0



# Observations: 425

General DescriptionRhizomatous, aquatic perennial with glabrous to pubescent foliage.Stems prostrate or floating, rooting at the nodes, 15–100 cm. Leavespetiolate; the blades lanceolate with rounded to pointed tips, 2–20 cmlong; stipules 1–2 cm long, glabrous or ciliate. Flowers 4–6 mm long, in a terminal spike-like panicle 1–10 cmlong; tepals pink. Achene 2-sided, 2–4 mm long, shiny dark brown (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow water of ponds, sloughs; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Water SmartweedPolygonum amphibium

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPGN0L040



# Observations: 155

General DescriptionAnnual. Stems prostrate to ascending, branched at the base, 5–50 cm.Leaves short-petiolate; the blades linear-oblanceolate to elliptic, 3–30mm long; stipules 3–15 mm long, lacerate. Flowers 2–5 mm long, 1 to 3in leaf axils; pedicels erect, 2–5 mm long; tepals greenish with white or pink margins. Achene 3-sided, brown,2–5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDisturbed soil of grasslands, pond margins, roadsides, yards; plains, valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

KnotweedPolygonum aviculare

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPGN0L0A0



# Observations: 576

General DescriptionPerennial from a corm-like rhizome. Stems erect, simple, 15–80 cm. Leaves: basal petiolate, the blades 2–15cm long, narrowly lanceolate; cauline leaves smaller, linear; stipules 5–40 mm long, glabrous, brown. Flowers3–4 mm long, in a short-cylindric spike 1–4 cm long; pedicels spreading 2–8 mm long; tepals white to pink;stamens exserted. Achene 3-sided, shiny pale brown, 3–4 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist grasslands, meadows, turf where wet early but drying later in the season; montane to alpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

American BistortPolygonum bistortoides

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPGN0L0E0



# Observations: 701

General DescriptionTree to 40 m with ascending branches. Bark smooth, white at first, becoming gray and furrowed. Leaf bladesbroadly lance-shaped with truncate bases, 5–15 cm long, pale below. Female catkins 8–15 cm long; stigmas 3.Capsules 5–8 mm long. (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatForest and gravel bars along rivers, streams, aspen groves, avalanche slopes, roadsides; valleys to lowersubalpine zone (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Black CottonwoodPopulus balsamifera

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAL01030




General DescriptionTree 2–45 m with spreading branches. Bark smooth, pale, furrowed withage. Leaf blades broadly ovate to orbicular, truncate at the base, 2–8cm long, pale beneath. Female catkins 4–10 cm long; stigmas 2.Capsules 4–6 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAlong streams, wetlands, topographic depressions, cool slopes where the soil is somewhat moist; plains,valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Quaking AspenPopulus tremuloides

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAL010B0

Noxious Weed: Priority2BAquatic InvasiveSpeciesNon-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SNA



General DescriptionPLANTS: Aquatic perennials that produce turions (starch-containingstem buds), terminal on a stem or in leaf axils (Parkinson et al. 2016;Haynes and Hellquist 2000). Stems are flat and alternately branched(Lesica 2012).

LEAVES: All leaves are submersed; true-floating leaves are absent.Leaves are alternately arranged, fairly stiff, and range in color fromred-brown to olive-green (Parkinson et al. 2016). Leaves are linear-oblong (3–8 cm × 4–10 mm) with serrate, wavy margins and a sessile,clasping base (Lesica 2012). Leaf tips are rounded (FNA 2000).Stipules are 3–7 mm long and shred early (Lesica 2012).

INFLORESCENCE: Emersed spikes of 1–2 cm long, continuous, andcomposed of inconspicuous flowers (Lesica 2012, Parkinson et al.2016).

HabitatShallow to deep (18 feet), fresh or saline water of ponds, lakes, and slow streams in the plains and valleys(Lesica 2012; Parkinson et al. 2016). It can tolerate a moderate current (Parkinson et al. 2016). It is typicallyfound at depths from 3.2 to 10 feet. It grows best in alkaline, calcareous water (Parkinson et al. 2016).Substrates range from sandy to hard bottoms; it grows best on substrates that contain 10-25% organic matterand are not too coarse or too fine (Parkinson et al. 2016).

ManagementCurly-leaf Pondweed has been a listed noxious weed in Montana since 2010. Its spread from one water body toanother has primarily occurred through plant fragments containing turions that are on boat trailers andrecreational equipment (Parkinson et al. 2016). PREVENTION (adapted from Parkinson et al. 2016) *Thoroughly rinse any mud and debris from all equipment and wading gear, and drain the water from the boatbefore leaving access areas. Use boat-washing stations when available. * Remove all plant fragments from theboat, propeller, and boat trailer. * Dry boats and equipment for 5 days before transporting them to a newwater body. * Do not dispose aquarium water or plants into water bodies. * Desiccate plant material and/ordispose by securely sealing in plastic bags and placing in the trash for disposal. * Learn to identify Curly-leafPondweed and report your findings to the Montana Department of Agriculture; Montana Fish, W ildlife andParks; County Extension agent; or Weed Coordinator. CHEMICAL CONTROL (adapted from Parkinson et al.2016) Diquat (Resard, Weedtrine-D), Endothall (Aquathol, Hydrothol 191), and Fluridone (Sonar A.S, Sonar SRP)have been used to herbicide plants in water bodies. The timing of chemical control, water temperature, andherbicide concentration, and other factors are critical to effectively hinder Curly-leaf Pondweed and reducenegative impacts to native vegetation – see Parkinson et al. 2016, and always follow chemical labelinstructions and use restrictions. These herbicides must be applied by applicators with an Aquatic Pest Controllicense. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for more information on herbicidal control ofCurly-leaf Pondweed. Curly-leaf Pondweed initiates growth prior to the native plants, which can help reducenegative impacts from herbicides on native vegetation. However water temperatures must still be appropriate

Curly-leaf PondweedPotamogeton crispus

Range Non-native

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOT03060

for the herbicide to work on Curly-leaf Pondweed. MECHNICAL CONTROL (adapted from Parkinson et al. 2016)Raking and hand-cutting can be effective for controlling smaller populations of Curly-leaf Pondweed. All plantmaterial should be bagged and desiccated before placing in the trash for disposal. Raking and hand-cuttingshould be done in spring to early summer to prevent the formation of turions, which will disrupt its life cycle.These methods need to be repeated for many years, and monitored thereafter to ensure the plant does not re-establish. See Parkinson et al. 2016 for further details. PHYSICAL CONTROL (adapted from Parkinson et al.2016) Benthic barriers are mats that are laid down on the floor of the water body around docks and other high-use areas. They prevent light from penetrating and prevent plants from rooting. They are usually effective, butkill all vegetation and are long-lasting. Drawdowns that lower the water levels in the fall can be effective, butrequires extensive planning and permitting, and can hurt non-targeted vegetation and animal life. Dredgingexcavates the floor of the water body. This deepens the water body to prevent light penetration. This controlcan be effective, but requires extensive planning and permitting, and can hurt non-targeted vegetation andanimal life. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL (adapted from Parkinson et al. 2016) Grass carp have been used in portionsof the United States to control Curly-leaf Pondweed. However, these fish feed on other aquatic plants anddestroy habitat. They are not legally allowed in Montana. CULTURAL CONTROL (adapted from Parkinson et al.2010) To avoid accidentally introducing non-native plants to surrounding water bodies, never place your water-garden near or allow water to overflow into wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes, or ponds. Non-native water-garden plants should never be dumped into natural water bodies. Before purchasing plants, verify that theplant is not invasive.

Contact information for Aquatic Invasive Species personnel:Montana Fish, W ildlife, and Parks Aquatic Invasive Species staff.Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program.Montana Invasive Species Council (MISC).Upper Columbia Conservation Commission (UC3).

http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/ais/contact.html

http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd/resource-development/aquatic-invasive-species

http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd/montana-invasive-species-program/misc

http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd/montana-invasive-species-program/uc3

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SU



General DescriptionPlants tuberous. Stems terete, branched. Submersed leaves filiform,only the ultimate 1 mm tapered, 1–8 cm × 1–2 mm, attached to thestipule; lower stipules 5–15 mm long, sheathing. Floating leavesabsent. Spikes 1–5 cm long with distinct whorls of flowers. Tepalsbrownish, 1–2 mm long. Fruits 2–3 mm long, obscurely keeled with aminute beak (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow, fresh water of lakes, ponds, slow streams; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Slender PondweedPotamogeton filiformis

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General DescriptionStems slightly compressed, branched. Submersed leaves linear 1–4 cm × ca. 1 mm; stipules 5–10 mm long,sheathing but fraying above. Floating leaves absent. Spikes capitate, 1–6 mm long. Tepals green, up to 1 mmlong. Fruits 1.5–2 mm long, keeled with a minute, erect beak (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety foliosus.

HabitatShallow, fresh water of ponds, ditches, sloughs; valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Leafy PondweedPotamogeton foliosus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOT030B0




General DescriptionPlants tuberous. Stems terete, branched. Submersed leaves filiform,, 1–10 cm × <1 mm, tapering at the tip for>3 mm, attached to the stipule; lower stipules 16–30 mm long, sheathing. Floating leaves absent. Spikes 1–5cm long with distinct whorls of flowers. Tepals brownish-green, 1–1.5 mm long. Fruits 3–4 mm long, obscurelykeeled with a slender, curved beak (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatShallow to deep, often saline or alkaline water of ponds, lakes, streams, ditches; plains, valleys, montane(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Sago PondweedPotamogeton pectinatus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOT030S0




General DescriptionStems terete, little branched, somewhat zigzag. Submersed leaves sessile, clasping, lanceolate, minutelywavy, 6–20 × ca. 1 cm; stipules 2–7 cm long, not sheathing. Floating leaves absent. Spikes 2–4 cm long,continuous. Tepals green, 2–3 mm long. Fruits 4–5 mm long, keeled with an erect beak (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDeep water of large lakes; valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

White-stem PondweedPotamogeton praelongus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOT030V0



# Observations: 95

General DescriptionStems terete, branched. Submersed leaves linear, 2–10 cm × 1–2 mm, attached to the stipule; stipules 1–5 cmlong, sheathing, brown, swollen at the base. Floating leaves absent. Spikes 1–5 cm long with well-separatedwhorls of flowers. Tepals brownish-green, 1–2 mm long. Fruits 2–3 mm long, obscurely keeled and beaked(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMostly shallow, often alkaline water of lakes, streams; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Sheathed PondweedPotamogeton vaginatus

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# Observations: 3

General DescriptionTaprooted annual or biennial. Stems erect, simple or branched, villous,glandular, 10–40 cm. Leaf blades ovate with 3 obovate, sharply lobed,glandular-hairy leaflets, 1–2 cm long. Inflorescence a leafy, glandular-hairy cyme with ascending branches. Flowers: sepals deltoid, 2–4 mmlong; the bracteoles nearly as large; petals yellow, 1–2 mm long,smaller than the sepals. Achenes smooth, <1 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist, often disturbed soil on the margins of streams, lakes, wetlands;plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Biennial CinquefoilPotentilla biennis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS1B080

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T5State Rank: S4S5



General DescriptionHighly branched shrub 10–100 cm high. Stems reddish-brown, villous, becoming glabrous. Leaves petiolate; theblade sparsely hairy, glaucous beneath, with 5 narrowly lanceolate pinnate leaflets 7–20 mm long with entire,inrolled margins; stipules membranous, narrowly ovate. Inflorescence 1- to 5-flowered, terminal cymes or morecommonly solitary in leaf axils. Flowers perfect, perigynous; hypanthium cup-shaped, villous; sepals 5,ovate,4–7 mm long with narrow bracteoles as long as the sepals; petals yellow, 7–12 mm long; stamens 20 to 25;styles numerous. Fruit a long-hairy achene, 1–2 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Lesica (2012) treats this species in the genus Dasiphora.

HabitatMoist grasslands, meadows, fens, open forest, exposed slopes, ridges; valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Shrubby CinquefoilPotentilla fruticosa

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# Observations: 400

General DescriptionPerennial from a branched caudex. Stems ascending to nearly prostrate, sparsely hairy (rarely sericeous), 10–40 cm. Leaf blades cordate-orbicular to ovate, palmately (rarely pinnately) divided into 5 to 7 oblong, toothedto lobed, glabrous to sparsely hairy, usually glaucous leaflets, 1–3 cm long. Inflorescence an open, sericeouscyme with spreading branches. Flowers: sepals narrowly deltoid, 3–6 mm long; bracteoles narrower andshorter; petals yellow, 6–9 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Lesica (2012) treats this species as P. glaucophylla. In Montana our varieties are glaucophylla and divisa Rydb.

HabitatGrasslands, turf, fellfields; subalpine, alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Blue-leaved CinquefoilPotentilla glaucophylla

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS1B4V0



# Observations: 495

General DescriptionPerennial from a mostly branched caudex. Stems erect or ascending, glabrate to pubescent, subscapose, 10–60cm. Leaf blades suborbicular, palmately divided into 5 to 9 oblanceolate, dentate to deeply lobed, glabrous totomentose leaflets 2–8 cm long. Inflorescence a many-flowered, sericeous, sometimes glandular, open cymewith ascending branches. Flowers: sepals lanceolate, 3–8 mm long; bracteoles narrower and shorter; petalsyellow, 5–10 mm long. Achenes smooth, 1–1.5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Lesica (2012) recognizes five varieties in MT: var. brunnescens (Rydb.) C.L. Hitchc.; var. fastigiata (Nutt.) S.Watson; var. elmeri (Rydb.) Jeps.; var. flabelliformis (Lehm.) Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray; and var. pulcherimma(Lehm.) Fernald. At the present time MT NHP is only recognizing varieties flabelliformis and pulcherrima.

HabitatMeadows, grasslands, steppe; plains, valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Fanleaf CinquefoilPotentilla gracilis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS1B0T0




# Observations: 38

General DescriptionPerennial with a branched caudex clothed in old leaf bases. Stemsprostrate to ascending, sericeous, 3–10 cm. Leaf blades cordate-ovate,pinnately divided into 5 to 7 pinnately toothed leaflets, 5–15 mm long,sparsely to densely sericeous above, white-tomentose beneath.Inflorescence a few-flowered, sericeous cyme with spreading branches.Flowers: sepals broadly lanceolate, 4–7 mm long with narrowerbracteoles 3–5 mm long; petals yellow, 5–8 mm long, truncate. Achenessmooth, about 2 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSandy to gravelly, shallow, often calcareous soil of grasslands, woodlands, outcrops; valleys, montane (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Macoun's CinquefoilPotentilla macounii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS1B2L0




General DescriptionPLANTS: Perennial forb that grows from a simple to branched caudex.Stems are singular to several, erect, and 20-50 cm tall. Stems havehispid hairs – long, straight, stiff, and perpendicular to the stem. Plantsgrow from a taproot with some shallow, spreading roots. Source: Rice inSheley and Petroff 1999; Lesica et al. 2012

LEAVES: Leaves are arranged alternately. In outline leaf blades are somewhat round and 2-7 cm long. Leavesare palmately divided into 5 to 7 lanceolate, dentate leaflets with spreading hairs. Leaf size decreasesupwards on stem. Petioles have hispid hairs which are perpendicular to the stalk. Basal leaves are similar.Source: Lesica et al. 2012

INFLORESCENCE: Yellow flowers are arranged in an open, flat-topped cyme (above the height of the leaves). 5green sepals are lanceolate in shape, strongly veined, and 4–7 mm long. Bracteoles alternate with and appearsimilar to the sepals. 5 petals are light (sulphur) yellow, 6–10 mm long, longer than the sepals, and notched.Source: Lesica et al. 2012

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, pastures, and disturbed forests in the plains, valleys, and montane zones of Montana(Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementAn integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control, and requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Onceidentified an integrated weed management strategy can be developed to promote a weed-resistant plantcommunity and that serves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation.

PREVENTION [Adapted from Rice in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Preventing the establishment of Sulphur Cinquefoil can be accomplished by many practices:* Learn to accurately identify Sulphur Cinquefoil in order to detect occurrences and know where to implementcontrol methods.* Prevent vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas. * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to uninfestedareas.* Frequently monitor for new plants, and when found implement effective control methods.* Maintain proper grazing management that creates resilience to noxious weed invasion.* Do not pick the flowers or transport plants. Where possible, contribute to or develop educational campaignsto help eradicate or reduce Sulphur Cinquefoil populations.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Rice in Sheley and Petroff 1999]

Hand-digging is effective for removing plants and eradicating small populations. As with any plants, long-sleeves and gloves should be worn to protect one’s skin. Hand-digging is easiest when soils are moist. Diggingtools can easily be placed under the root-crown to remove the plant.

Sulphur CinquefoilPotentilla recta

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDROS1B1K0

Mowing is not effective because the plants respond by developing heftier roots and more above ground stems.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Rice in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Herbicides can be effective, especially when properly integrated with intensive pasture management. Theherbicide type and concentration, application time and method, environmental constraints, land use practices,local regulations, and other factors will determine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species. Strictadherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label will reduce risks to human andenvironmental health. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for information on herbicidalcontrol. Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.

Picloram (0.25 pound acid equivalent (ae) per acre) applied in the spring to plants up to late bud stage or inthe fall can provide several years of control. Residual activity of Picloram suppresses re-establishment fromseed germination, but should only be used on upland sites and not around water.

2,4-D ester (1.0 pounds ae per acre) applied in the spring to plants at the rosette to bud stages will provideone year of good control. It may be better to use at sites near water.

Clopyralid is not effective on Sulphur Cinquefoil plants.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Rice in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Sulphur Cinquefoil is unpalatable to most livestock because of its high tannin content. On open range or inplaces with low stocking rates livestock have been found to eat the flowers of Spotted Knapweed (Centaureastoebe) while ignoring Sulphur Cinquefoil in places where they co-exist. When Sulphur Cinquefoil is eaten ittends to be flowers or buds scattered across plants. Therefore, domestic grazing can favor the replacement ofSpotted Knapweed, which is a short-lived perennial, with the longer-lived Sulphur Cinquefoil and the continualdecline of native forbs and grasses.

Sheep and goats can eat Sulphur Cinquefoil, but is not shown to be very effective. Where animals are known toeat Sulphur Cinquefoil, they should be corralled for at least 3 days before moving into uninfested areas (Frostet al. 2013?).

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Rice in Sheley and Petroff 1999]Using biological control organisms on Sulphur Cinquefoil has been problematic because of its genetically closerelationship to strawberries (Fragaria spp.). Some root- and crown-boring insects found on Sulphur Cinquefoilplants in Montana were also found to be pests on strawberries (Rice in Sheley and Petroff 1999).







http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 128

General DescriptionMealy Primrose is slender, tall, and heavily farinose, or occasionally efarinose. It rises up to 46 cm high, andleaves are elliptic or oblanceolate, including the petioles, which are up to 6 cm long. Blades are 0.3-1.6 cmwide with denticulate margins and gradually narrow into a broadly winged petiole. The involucral bracts are0.5-1 cm long, oblong, densely covered with white farina, flat above, and saccate or gibbous at the base. Theumbels are capitate, 7-19 flowered, and the pedicels are short and 0.3-0.9 cm long. Flowers are homostylous.The calyx is green, heavily farinose, cylindrical, obscurely ribbed, and 0.4-0.7 cm long; it is divided up to onethird its length by lanceolate teeth that are covered with capitate 3-4 celled glands. The corolla is lavendarwith a yellow throat. The limb is 0.4-0.8 cm wide, emarginate, and is a tube that is equal to or slightly longerthan the calyx. Stamens are ca. 1 mm long and located in the upper portion of the corolla tube. The stigma iscapitate and located adjacent to the anthers. The capsule is cylindrical to slightly elliptical, 0.2-0.3 cm wide,and 1.5-2 times the length of the calyx. Seeds are brown, reticulate, ca. 0.2 mm long.

HabitatIn southwestern and north-central Montana, mealy primrose has been found in saturated, often calcareouswetlands. Dominants or common associates include Carex simulata, C. nebrascensis, Juncus balticus, Agrostisstolonifera, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Calamagrostis stricta, and Eleocharis pauciflora. In Sheridan County itwas restricted to seep habitat with marl deposits beside an alkali lake. The most common associated speciesthere were Juncus balticus, Scirpus pungens, Triglochin maritimum, and Potentilla anserina.

Mealy PrimrosePrimula incana

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General DescriptionEvergreen trees up to 60 m tall with spreading branches and narrow to broadly conical crowns. Bark of oldertrees thick, furrowed and gray with reddish brown between furrows. Leaves yellow- to blue-green, single,spirally arranged and spreading, 15–25 mm long, stomates lacking on upper surface. Leaf buds conical. Seedcones narrowly ellipsoidal, 3–6 cm long, maturing the first season and shed entire. Scales broadly rhombic,stiff, pubescent, subtended by a longer 3-lobed bract. Seeds winged. Our plants are var. glauca (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDry to mesic forests; valleys to subalpine and on the plains along the Missouri River (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Douglas-firPseudotsuga menziesii

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# Observations: 6

General DescriptionPerennial bunchgrass. Stems 15–30 cm. Leaves: blades 1–2 mm wide, mostly inrolled. Inflorescence apyramidal panicle 3–17 cm long. Spikelets 4–7 mm long. Lemmas 2.5–4 mm long, with an acute tip (Lavin inLesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows, alkaline soil (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Lemmon's AlkaligrassPuccinellia lemmonii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA530N0



# Observations: 7

General DescriptionStems ascending, 8–40 cm, villous. Leaf blades linear-oblanceolate tooblong, entire to spiny-serrate, 3–15 cm long, pubescent. Headsdisciform to discoid, solitary or few; involucre narrowly campanulate tohemispheric, 12–20 mm high; phyllaries in 3 to 5 series, ovate tooblong, mucronate, sometimes spiny-serrate, puberulent, white below,green above. Rays 0 to 30, inconspicuous. Disk corollas 8–12 mm long. Achenes 3–5 mm long, glabrous (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

We have varieties carthamoides and subsquarrosa (Greene) G.K. Brown & D.D. Keil

HabitatGrasslands; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Large-flower GoldenweedPyrrocoma carthamoides

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTDT020



# Observations: 101

General DescriptionStems ascending, 7–50 cm, glabrate to sparsely villous. Leaf blades oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic, entire, 3–15 cm long, glabrous, becoming sessile above. Heads radiate, solitary or few, reduced in size below; involucrehemispheric, 1–2 cm high; phyllaries in 2 to 3 series, oblanceolate, ciliate, green above. Rays 18 to 45; ligules7–18 mm long. Disk corollas 6–10 mm long. Achenes 5–7 mm long, glabrous (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist, often calcareous soil of meadows, grasslands; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Entire-leaf GoldenweedPyrrocoma integrifolia

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTDT090




# Observations: 27

General DescriptionStems ascending, 10–40 cm, glabrate to sparsely villous. Leaf bladeslinear-oblanceolate to oblanceolate, spiny-dentate to entire, 2–10 cmlong, glabrate. Heads 3 to 8, rarely solitary, radiate; involucrehemispheric, 7–10 mm high; phyllaries in 3 to 4 series, lanceolate,pointed, white below, green above, ciliate to villous. Rays 18–45;ligules 5–11 mm long. Disk corollas 4–7 mm long. Achenes 3–5 mmlong, sericeous (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety lanceolata.

HabitatMoist to wet meadows; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Lance-leaved GoldenweedPyrrocoma lanceolata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTDT0A0

Noxious Weed: Priority2ANon-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SNA


# Observations: 810

General DescriptionPLANTS: Perennial forbs with hirsute (straight, stiff hairs) foliage and erect stems 25–80 cm tall. Plants arerhizomatous. Source: Lesica et al. 2012

LEAVES: 40-50 basal leaves have long petioles, up to 20 cm, that each terminate into a single leaf blade.Basal leaf blades are 3-6 cm long and pentagonal (5-sided) in shape that are mostly deeply divided into about3 palmate lobes that again deeply divided into 2-3 acute segments. Stem leaves resemble basal leaves, butalternately arranged and become smaller and sessile upwards. The upper stem leaves become reduced to 3- to5-lobed bracts. Source: FNA 1997; Lesica et al. 2012; Jacobs et al. 2015.

INFLORESCENCE: Yellow flowers are arranged in diffuse, open cymes. The 5 sepals are symmetrical, greenish,bend downwards, and have soft, spreading hairs. The 5 petals are symmetrical, 8–10 mm long (twice as longas the sepals), buttercup yellow, and shiny. Source: FNA 1997; Lesica et al. 2012; Jacobs et al. 2015.

The genus Ranunculus comes from the latin words rana for frog and unculus for little, and is in allusion to thewet habitats in which some species grow (FNA 1997).

HabitatIn its native range, Tall Buttercup is common in damp meadows and pastures on calcareous or neutral soils(Jacobs et al. 2015). On the British Isles is grows on rock ledges, gullies, and occasionally on mountain topdetritus (Jacobs et al. 2015). In the Netherlands is grows in floodplains along rivers, preferring areas withabout 30 days of flooding per year (Jacobs et al. 2015).

In Montana, Tall Buttercup predominately grows in moist meadows and pastures, especially irrigated hay fields(Lesica et al. 2012; Jacobs et al. 2015). It is less abundant in wildland habitats (Lesica et al. 2012). It alsogrows along roads, along ditches and natural waterways, and in borrow pits and parking lots (Jacobs et al.2015). It occurs in valleys and occasionally at higher elevations (Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementTall Buttercup is predominately a weed problem in hay meadows and pastures. Successful management of TallButtercup requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Sheley and Petroff1999). Once identified then an integrated weed management strategy that promotes a weed-resistant plantcommunity and serves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation can bedeveloped, making control of Tall Buttercup possible (Sheley and Petroff 1999).

PREVENTION* Prevent vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas, * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to anuninfested area,

Tall ButtercupRanunculus acris

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDRAN0L030

* Encourage landowners to monitor their land for new infestations and, when found to implement effectivecontrol methods.* Maintain proper livestock grazing management that maintains desirable, competitive vegetation.* Develop educational campaigns to teach people to not pick and transport the buttercup flowers.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2015]Hand-pulling that extracts all the rootstock can be effective to temporarily reduce small infestations andscattered plants. It works best to eliminate new plants or those persisting after herbicide treatments.Rhizomes that remain in the soil will regenerate and follow-up hand-pulling or other controls will be needed.Pull new plants from rhizomes or the seed bank will reduce seed production.

Mowing can aid in reducing flowering/seed production if timed correctly with a frequency that promotesdesirable plants to grow. Plants that are mowed will re-grow. Mowing that maintains an open site with littleplant diversity will encourage Tall Buttercup to flourish.

Tilling is not recommended unless it is combined with an Integrated Weed Management plan. The disturbancecaused by tilling allows rhizomes to re-sprout, seeds to germinate, and reduces plant competition, all of whichfavors colonization by Tall Buttercup.

Irrigation can promote Tall Buttercup because it prefers moist conditions and can tolerate flooding. However,an Integrated Weed Management plan that carefully manages irrigation with other control practices can beeffective at reducing or eliminating Tall Buttercup. In irrigated and sub-irrigated pastures and hayland, properlytimed irrigation can increase competitiveness from appropriate forage crops when also timed appropriately withfertilization and grazing and/or harvest practices.

Nutrient management with a judicious use of herbicides and crop rotation is recommended where Tall Buttercupinvades non-native pastures and hay meadows. Applications of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium mayreduce the abundance of Tall Buttercup where the growth of grasses can over-top and shade it. However, indisturbed settings fertilizers may have little effect on Tall Buttercup perhaps because high-light and/or lowcompetition remains.

Prescribed burning is not commonly used in the moist habitats were Tall Buttercup grows. Fire can re-generaterhizomes and germinate seeds. However, fire is often used to retain vigor and density in grasslands because itreduces plant litter and releases nitrogen. Fire used in combination with other control methods might beappropriate to reduce Tall Buttercup populations.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2015]Tall Buttercup contains glycoside ranunculin which if ingested by livestock can potentially be fatal. Livestocktypically avoid Tall Buttercup. The palability of Tall Buttercup to sheep or goats is unknown.

Several studies from Finland, Iceland, and Great Britain suggest that Tall Buttercup increases with grazing. Inthese studies, litter removal, exposure of bare ground, and suppression of competitive grasses were thought tofacilitate the increase of Tall Buttercup. However, a prescribed grazing management plan that uses livestock topromote the competitiveness of desirable forage plants will prevent Tall Buttercup invasion or re-invasion afterweed control. In sites with Tall Buttercup spring grazing is not recommended because it will likely removedesirable plants, limiting their growth and ability to shade it out. In addition, Tall Buttercup exhibits its mostleafy stage in the spring.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2015]The herbicide type and concentration, application time and method, environmental constraints, land usepractices, local regulations, and other factors will determine its effectiveness and impact to non-target species.Strict adherence to application requirements defined on the herbicide label will reduce risks to human andenvironmental health. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for information on herbicidalcontrol. Consult your County Extension Agent and/or Weed District for more information on herbicidal control.Chemical information is also available at Greenbook.

Aminopyralid and dicamba herbicides have been used to control Tall Buttercup. The leafy phase prior toflowering stem development (late spring) is the optimal time to apply herbicides.

In New Zealand plants have become resistant to the phenoxy herbicide MPCA. To avoid the development ofherbicidal resistant populations, integrate herbicidal control with other practices and use herbicides withdifferent modes of action.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs et al. 2015]Currently no biological control agents are available.

Montana's Tall Buttercup Task Force is led by Margie Edsall who can be contacted at: (406) 842-5595 [email protected]

?http://www.greenbook.net?

mailto:[email protected]






http://mtweed.org







General DescriptionPlants aquatic. Stems floating with glabrous to sparsely hairy foliage.Leaf blades 10–30 mm long, reniform, twice divided into numerousthread-like segments. Flowers solitary at leaf nodes; petals white, 4–9mm long, twice as long as the glabrous, deciduous sepals. Achenesglabrous or sparsely hairy, cross-corrugate, 1–2 mm long with a straight beak ca. 0.5 mm long; headshemispheric, 3–5 mm high (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow water of ponds, lakes, streams at all elevations (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

White Water ButtercupRanunculus aquatilis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDRAN0L0A0



# Observations: 53

General DescriptionStems ascending to erect, 3–30 cm with glabrous foliage. Basal leafblades broadly ovate to reniform, 5–40 mm long, deeply palmatelylobed, the segments lobed; stem leaves 0 to 2, divided into linearlobes. Flowers few with petals 4–12 mm long, ca. twice as long as the sparsely hairy, often purplish sepals.Achenes glabrous, 1–2 mm long with a straight beak 0.5–2 mm long, heads ovoid to cylindric, 5–13 mm high(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety eschscholtzii, eximius (Greene) L.D. Benson, or suksdorfii (A. Gray) L.D. Benson.

HabitatMoist to wet meadows, stony slopes; subalpine, alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Eschscholtz's ButtercupRanunculus eschscholtzii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDRAN0L0S0



# Observations: 30

General DescriptionPlants with glabrous to hirsute foliage, often aquatic. Stems hollow,floating or prostrate (rarely erect) and rooting at the nodes. Leaf bladesreniform, 1–4 cm long, deeply 3-lobed into lobed segments; submergedleaves finely dissected into linear segments. Flowers with petals 3–10mm long, slightly to much longer than the mostly glabrous sepals Achenes flattened, 1–2 mm long, glabrouswith a straight beak 0.5–1 mm long; heads globose, 4–7 mm high (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMud or shallow water of ponds, lakes, slow streams; plains, valleys, montane, rarely higher (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Small Yellow ButtercupRanunculus gmelinii

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# Observations: 23

General DescriptionArctic buttercup is a glabrous perennial herb with prostrate stems calledstolons that root at the nodes. The alternate leaves have long petiolesand palmately 3-lobed leaves that are 5-10 mm long and at least aswide. Solitary, stalked flowers arise from the leaf axils. Sepals are 2-3 mm long, and the yellow petals are 2-4mm long. There are 15-20 glabrous achenes; each is ca. 1 mm long, has a short beak, and is borne in a nearlyglobose cluster.

HabitatWet soil around ponds, seeps, springs and along streams from montane to alpine.

High Northern ButtercupRanunculus hyperboreus

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# Observations: 64

General DescriptionJove's Buttercup is a glabrous perennial with 1 to several stems that are 4-10 cm tall and arising from a clusterof fleshy, club-shaped roots. The basal leaves are often lacking, but, when present, are 2-3 cm long and have apetiole and a blade that is deeply divided into 3-5 narrow lobes. The stem leaves are clustered together andare longer than the basal leaves. The yellow flowers are solitary on the ends of stalks that are 2-6 cm long.The 5 separate petals are narrowly lance-shaped and 7-12 mm long. The glabrous sepals fall off shortly afteropening. The fruit is an ovoid cluster of 50-200 achenes; these egg-shaped achenes are approximately 1 mmlong, slightly compressed, and finely hairy, with a straight, slender beak that is approximately 0.5 mm long.

HabitatSagebrush grasslands to open forest slopes in the montane and subalpine zones.

Jove's ButtercupRanunculus jovis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDRAN0L1D0

Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4State Rank: S3


# Observations: 9

General DescriptionStems, erect, 20–70 cm with hirsute foliage. Basal leaf blades cordate,ternate, 3–10 cm long; the stalked leaflets deeply 3-lobed, dentate.Flowers with petals 2–4 mm long, shorter than the pilose sepals.Achenes ca. 2 mm long, glabrous with a straight beak ca. 0.7 mm long; head short-cylindrical, 8–15 mm high(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRiparian meadows; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Mountain ButtercupRanunculus populago

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# Observations: 28

General DescriptionStems 50–200 cm. Herbage glabrate; leaves minutely ciliate. Leaf blades ovate, acuminate, 5–20 cm long,entire to serrate. Heads discoid; phyllaries lanceolate, sparsely puberulent, 10–25 mm long; receptacle conic,15–45 mm high. Disk corollas yellow below, purple above, 3–5 mm long. Achenes 3–5 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows, forest openings, often along streams; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Western ConeflowerRudbeckia occidentalis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST850F0



# Observations: 364

General DescriptionMostly glabrous perennial. Stem erect, simple, 30–100 cm. Leaf blades narrowly lanceolate, tapered to thepetiole, 5–20 cm long with wavy margins. Inflorescence a leafy-bracted panicle 15–40 cm long with erect,spike-like branches. Flowers perfect; outer tepals 1–2 mm long. Fruit 3–5 mm long; inner tepals ovate with atruncate base and a variable-size callosity. Achene reddish brown, 2–3 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist to wet, often disturbed soil along ditches, roads, streams, wetlands; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).



Curly DockRumex crispus

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http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 40

General DescriptionGlabrous, perennial. Stems ascending to erect, branched, 20–80 cm.Leaves mostly cauline; the blades linear-oblanceolate, 3–15 cm long,little reduced above. Inflorescence 10–20 cm long, a leafy-bractedpanicle of dense, erect, spike-like branches. Flowers perfect; outer tepals ca. 2 mm long. Fruit ca. 3 mm long;inner tepals ovate with or without a narrowly ovoid callosity. Achenes brown, ca. 2 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows, thickets, often along streams, ponds; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Willow DockRumex salicifolius

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDPGN0P180



# Observations: 368

General DescriptionSubmersed, aquatic, rhizomatous, perennial herb. Stems filiform, branched, terete, 6–50 cm. Leaves alternate,filiform, 3–20 cm long, attached at the base to a membranous, sheathing stipule 5–20 mm long with or withouta lamina to 3 cm long. Inflorescence axillary umbels of few to several 2-flowered spikes; peduncles to 30 cmlong and coiled in fruit. Flowers perfect, regular; perianth absent; stamens 2; pistils 4 to 6, ovaries superior.Fruit ovoid, drupe-like, 2–3 mm long, beaked, 1-seeded, borne on a pedicel (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow, saline or alkaline water of ponds, sloughs, lakes; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Ditch-grassRuppia maritima

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMRUP01030



# Observations: 305

General DescriptionScapes 6–50 cm. Leaf blades 4–15 cm long, lateral lobes shorter or as long as the terminal. Inflorescence of 2–10 whorls; bracts lanceolate, 10–35 mm long. Flowers: sepals 4–7 mm long; petals 7–12 mm long. Achenes 2–3 mm long; heads 5–13 mm across (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatShallow water of ponds, lakes, sloughs; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Northern ArrowheadSagittaria cuneata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMALI04060



# Observations: 90

General DescriptionScapes 4–50 cm. Leaf blades 2–15 cm long, lateral lobes ca. as long as the terminal. Inflorescence of 2–7whorls. Flowers: sepals 5–10 mm long; petals 1–2 cm long. Achenes 2–4 mm long; heads 6–20 mm across(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow water of ponds, lakes, sloughs; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Common ArrowheadSagittaria latifolia

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMALI040H0



# Observations: 12

General DescriptionBarratt's W illow is a much-branched shrub that is up to 1 m tall. It hasyoung twigs that are sticky and covered with long, soft hairs. Theleaves have petioles that are 5-14 mm long and entire, elliptic orbroadly lance-shaped blades that are 4-7 cm long. The blades aredensely covered with long, gray hair beneath and thinly so above. Theflowers are without petals and sepals and are borne in dense, spike-like inflorescences (aments or catkins);these are erect and sessile on twigs formed during the previous year. The male and female aments occur onseparate plants. The seed capsules are hairy, and the bracts subtending them are black. The female amentsare 4-9 cm long, while the male aments are 2-5 cm long.

HabitatCold, moist soil in the alpine zone.

Barratt's WillowSalix barrattiana

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAL020D0



# Observations: 359

General DescriptionShrubs 2–4 m. Twigs purplish, appressed-hairy. Leaf blades 2–5 cmlong, lanceolate, oblanceolate, or elliptic, green and sparsely hairyabove, glaucous beneath; margins usually entire or shallowly toothed.Female catkins emerge with the leaves, 1–8 cm long on leafy branchlets 5–10 mm long; scales tan, hairy.Capsules 5–8 mm long, hairy, long-beaked; stipes 2–5 mm long; style <0.5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist soil along streams, wetlands, generally in mineral soil; plains, valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Bebb's WillowSalix bebbiana

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAL020E0



# Observations: 91

General DescriptionShrubs to 5 m. Twigs brown to purple, sparsely hairy. Leaf blades 2–7cm long, lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, nearly glabrous, green above,slightly paler green beneath, margins glandular-serrulate. Femalecatkins emerge with the leaves, 1–5 cm long on leafy branchlets 3–7 mm long; scales dark brown, long-hairy.Capsules glabrous, 3–6 mm long; stipes 1–3 mm long; style ca. 0.5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAlong streams, lakes, wetlands; valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Booth's WillowSalix boothii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAL020G0




# Observations: 130

General DescriptionShrubs 20–100 cm. Twigs purple, white-tomentose. Leaf blades 3–9 cmlong, oblanceolate with entire margins, white-tomentose beneath,sparsely hairy above. Female catkins emerge with the leaves, 1–4 cmlong, on leafy branchlets 1–5 mm long; scales long-hairy. Capsuleswhite-tomentose, 3–8 mm long; stipes ca. 1 mm long; style 1–1.5 mmlong, red (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFens, margins of swamps, marshes, usually where calcareous; montane(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Hoary WillowSalix candida

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAL020K0



# Observations: 16

General DescriptionShrubs 1–2 m. Twigs pubescent with curly hair. Leaf blades 2–5 cmlong, lanceolate to elliptic with glandular-serrate to entire margins,pubescent, not glaucous below. Female catkins 1–3 cm long, emergingwith the leaves on leafy branchlets 5–15 mm long; scales dark, long-hairy. Capsules hairy, 3–5 mm long;stipes to 1.5 mm long; style 0.5–1.0 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows and along streams; subalpine, lower alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Eastwood's WillowSalix eastwoodiae

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAL020X0



# Observations: 115

General DescriptionShrubs to 6 m. Twigs brown, sparsely hairy to glabrous. Leaf blades 3–12 cm long, linear to narrowly lanceolate with denticulate to nearlyentire margins; both surfaces green, glabrous to hairy. Female catkins2–5 cm long, emerging with the leaves on leafy branchlets 8–30 mm long; scales yellow, hairy, deciduous.Capsules 3–8 mm long, hairy or glabrous; stipes 0–2 mm long; style <0.2 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAlong rivers, ponds, lakes, roads; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Sandbar WillowSalix exigua

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# Observations: 107

General DescriptionShrubs 0.5–2 m. Twigs glabrous, black to reddish, shiny. Leaf blades 1–7 cm long, elliptic with entire margins; shiny green above, glaucousbelow. Female catkins 1–4 cm long, emerging before the leaves,sessile; scales black, long-hairy. Capsules 3–5 mm long, denselypubescent; stipes up to 1 mm long; style ca. 1 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAlong streams, wet meadows, fens; montane to lower alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Tea-leaved WillowSalix planifolia

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAL022B0



# Observations: 9

General DescriptionShrubs to 4 m. Twigs stout, villous. Leaf blades 2–8 cm long, broadlylanceolate to ovate with glandular-denticulate margins, glabrous tosparsely hairy, glaucous below. Female catkins 3–9 cm long, emergingbefore the leaves, sessile; scales dark, long-hairy. Capsules glabrous,3–7 cm long; stipes 0.2–1 mm long; style 1–2 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAlong streams and in wet meadows around lakes; subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Tweedy's WillowSalix tweedyi

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSAL022Z0



# Observations: 137

General DescriptionShrubs 40–100 cm. Twigs pubescent with wavy hairs. Leaf blades 1–5cm long, lanceolate or elliptic with entire margins, densely to sparselylong-hairy on both surfaces, not glaucous. Female catkins 10–25 mmlong, emerging with the leaves, sessile or on leafy branchlets to 12 mmlong; scales brown with long hairs. Capsules glabrous or pubescent, 3–5mm long; stipes 0.5–1 mm long; style 0.5–1 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatStreambanks, wet meadows, around ponds; subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Wolf WillowSalix wolfii

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Non-native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRTNRState Rank: SNA


# Observations: 131

General DescriptionStems 10–100 cm, branched at the base. Leaves ca. 4 cm × 1 mm.Inflorescence interrupted at maturity; bracts reflexed at maturity, littleoverlapping. Fruiting calyx 4–10 mm across with 3 conspicuous wings(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatRoadsides, cultivated fields, dry lake beds; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).



Russian ThistleSalsola tragus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCHE0K082




http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 223

General DescriptionMonoecious deciduous shrubs to 2 m high with glabrous foliage. Stems rigid, with whitish bark and thorns.Leaves alternate at least above, mostly on long shoots, sessile, fleshy, linear, 1–3 cm long. Inflorescence:spikes bracteate below, 1–3 cm long. Flowers unisexual. Male flowers above, consisting of 2 to 4 stamensconcealed by a peltate scale, congested into a cone-like spike. Female flowers perigynous, well separated,solitary in axils of leaf-like bracts, with a cup-like, united calyx; pistil 1. Fruit an achene 3–5 mm longsurrounded by the calyx, the lobes enlarging into a broad, wavy-margined wing 7–10 mm across (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSaline soil of stream terraces, badlands; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Black GreasewoodSarcobatus vermiculatus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCHE0L010



# Observations: 32

General DescriptionStems mostly 50–100 cm. Leaves: blades 3–7 mm wide, flat.Inflorescence a contracted, erect to nodding, panicle 10–23 cm long.Spikelets 6–9 mm long, with 4 to 9 florets. Lemmas awnless (Lavin inLesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows and pastures at lower elevations (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Meadow FescueSchedonorus pratensis

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# Observations: 151

General DescriptionStems terete, 50–200 cm, filled with spongy air cavities. Leaf blades reduced to scales. Inflorescence open orcongested with small clusters of spikelets on tips of spreading to erect peduncles. Spikelets 5–10 mm long.Scales 3–4.5 mm long, ciliate, sparsely puberulent, gray to tan-hyaline with short, dark red, parallel lines; awntwisted 1–2 mm long. Flowers: bristles ca. 6, ca. as long as achene; stigmas 2 or 3. Achene usually 2-sided,gray to nearly black, 2–3 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatFresh or saline marshes around ponds, lakes, sloughs; plains, valleys, montane, rarely higher (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Hardstem BulrushSchoenoplectus acutus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP0Q012



# Observations: 13

General DescriptionStems 40–150 cm, 3-sided with concave sides. Leaf blades short, flat or folded, 2–8 mm wide. Inflorescencecompact, of 2 to 15 sessile spikelets. Spikelets 6–15 mm long. Scales 3–4 mm long, glabrous, reddish topurplish-brown; awn ca. 0.5 mm long. Flowers: bristles 5 or 6, ca. as long as achene; stigmas 2 or 3. Achene 2-or 3-sided with rounded edges, brown, ca. 3 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatUsually saline or alkaline, wet meadows, marshes; valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Three-square BulrushSchoenoplectus americanus

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# Observations: 88

General DescriptionStems 3-sided, 10–200 cm. Leaf blades flat or folded, 1–4 mm wide. Inflorescence compact, of 1 to 6 sessilespikelets. Spikelets 7–20 mm long. Scales 3–6 mm long, glabrous, light brown to blackish; awn bent, 0.5–2 mmlong. Flowers: bristles 4 to 8, shorter to as long as the achene; stigmas 2 or 3. Achene 2- or 3-sided, brown,ca. 3 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatUsually saline or alkaline, wet meadows, marshes; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Three-square BulrushSchoenoplectus pungens

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# Observations: 33

General DescriptionStems terete, 80–150 cm, filled with spongy air cavities. Leaf blades reduced to scales. Inflorescence usuallyopen with small clusters of spikelets on tips of spreading to erect peduncles. Spikelets 5–12 mm long. Scales2–3 mm long, glabrous, ciliate, tan to reddish with short, dark red, parallel lines; awn ca. 0.5 mm long.Flowers: bristles 6, ca. as long as achene; stigmas 2. Achene 2-sided, dark brown, 1.5–3 mm long (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFresh or saline marshes around ponds, lakes, slow streams; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Softstem BulrushSchoenoplectus tabernaemontani

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMCYP0Q1H0



# Observations: 99

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems 30–100 cm, rarely clustered. Leaves: blades 5–12 mm wide; basal sheaths reddish.Inflorescence open, compound-umbelliform. Spikelets 3–6 mm long. Scales 1–2.5 mm long, dark green; tiprounded to apiculate. Flowers: bristles 3–6, straight or curved, spinulose, ca. as long as the achene, whiteturning brown; stigmas 2. Achene 2-sided, whitish, 1–1.5 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMarshes, beaver ponds, streambanks; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Small-fruit BulrushScirpus microcarpus

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# Observations: 769

General DescriptionPlants forming cushions or mats. Leaves in whorls of 4 to 6, appressed, linear lanceolate, 2–4 mm long with amedian groove and white bristle-tip. Strobili 4-sided, 1–3 cm long. Sporophylls broadly lanceolate to ovate witha bristle-tip (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSoil and rock of grasslands, outcrops, stony slopes, exposed ridges at all elevations (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Dense SpikemossSelaginella densa

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPSEL010C0


Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5T5?State Rank: SNR


# Observations: 52

General DescriptionSee also species' description. According to Lesica (2012) this variety isciliate only along the lower portion of the sporophylls.

HabitatLesica (2012) reports that variety scopulorum occurs from grasslands torocky sites continuously across the elevational range of the variety.

Rocky Mountain SpikemossSelaginella densa var. scopulorum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPSEL010C2



# Observations: 12

General DescriptionLow Spike-moss is a low, moss-like, glabrous plant with branched, prostrate to ascending stems. The thin,narrowly lance-shaped leaves are 1-3 mm long, are spirally arranged on the stem, and have sparsely spine-toothed margins. The upper leaves of fertile stems are larger, more broadly lance-shaped, and bear in theiraxils 1 to a few spores that are ca. 0.5 mm across.

HabitatWet, mossy soil of seep areas and moss-covered soil of meadows and rock outcrops in the montane andsubalpine zones.

Northern SpikemossSelaginella selaginoides

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PPSEL01110



# Observations: 506

General DescriptionFibrous-rooted from a simple or branched caudex or simple rhizome. Stems erect to ascending, sometimesbranched above, 3–40 cm. Herbage tomentose, sometimes becoming glabrate on upper leaf surfaces. Leavesbasal and cauline; basal blades linear-oblanceolate to ovate, entire to dentate, 1–8 cm long; cauline bladeslanceolate, often with lobes or teeth, becoming sessile. Inflorescence corymbiform of 2 to 20 heads. Headsradiate; involucres 4–12 mm high; phyllaries 13 to 21, sparsely tomentose, sometimes purplish. Rays 8 to 13;ligules 3–12 mm long. Disk corollas 4–7 mm long. Achenes 2–4 mm long, glabrous (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOften stony soil of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, meadows, open forest, fellfields, talus, roadsides at allelevations; plains, valleys to alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Woolly GroundselSenecio canus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST8H0M0




# Observations: 12

General DescriptionFibrous-rooted from a short rhizome. Stems ascending to erect, 4–10cm. Herbage glabrate to sparsely arachnoid especially at basal leafbases. Leaves thick; basal blades suborbicular to obovate, dentate, 5–20 mm long; cauline, sessile, lanceolate to oblanceolate, entire topinnately lobed. Inflorescence 1 (2) heads. Heads radiate; involucres 9–15 mm high; phyllaries 21, glabrous, purplish. Rays 10 to 13; ligules 7–11 mm long. Disk corollas 5–8 mm long. Achenes 2–4 mm long, glabrous(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

Lesica (2012) treats this species as Senecio cymbalaria and indicatesthat Senecio conterminus should be considered a synonym of S.cymbalaria. Others treat the species as Packera cymbalaria (Pursh)W .A. Weber & A. Love. Some sources, however, accept both Packera contermina and P. cymbalaria as distinctspecies .

HabitatMoist to dry, stony soil of fellfields, moraine, rock outcrops; alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Northwestern GroundselSenecio conterminus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTE60F0



# Observations: 41

General DescriptionPlants: Perennial with a short, upright to ascending caudex and seldom-branching fibrous roots. Stems 1 toseveral (Cronquist et al. 1994), erect, 10–50 cm (Lesica 2012). Herbage glabrous or softly woolly when young,by flowering time glabrous or only sparsely arachnoid in leaf axils (Hitchcock et al. 1955).

Leaves: Basal leaves thick and slightly succulent, occasionally on individual short shoots (Cronquist et al.1994); the blades ovate or obovate, crenate, 1–6 cm in length (Lesica 2012), 1-3 cm in width; margins wavy,small-lobed, or subentire; petiole usually longer than the blade. Cauline leaves few, narrowing progressively upthe stem and becoming sessile (Cronquist et al. 1994), deeply pinnately divided into several pairs of roundedlobes (Lesica 2012) with deep, wide sinuses (Cronquist et al. 1994).

Inflorescence & Heads: Inflorescence corymbiform with 3 to 15 heads (Lesica 2012), densely to somewhatopenly arranged (Cronquist et al. 1994). Discoid heads bell-shaped; involucres 5–8 mm high; phyllaries 13 or21, hairless, green (Lesica 2012).


HabitatMoist, alkaline meadows in the valley and foothill zones (Cronquist et al. 1994; Lesica 2012).

(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX.)

Weak GroundselSenecio debilis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST8H110



# Observations: 948

General DescriptionPlants from a branched caudex. Stems erect, 10–100 cm. Herbage glabrate. Leaves cauline, short-petiolate,only gradually reduced upward; blades lanceolate to deltoid, trunctae or cordate, 2–15 cm long, serrate.Inflorescence corymbiform with 1 to 30 heads. Heads radiate; involucres 7–10 mm high; phyllaries ca. 13,glabrous. Rays ca. 8; ligules 5–12 mm long. Disk corollas 5–9 mm long. Achenes 3–4 mm long, glabrous (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist soil of forests, meadows, thickets, avalanche slopes, often along streams; montane, subalpine, rarelyalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Arrow-leaf GroundselSenecio triangularis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST8H360



# Observations: 64

General DescriptionErect shrub 2–4 m. Stems with thorn-tipped side shoots; twigs white-mealy, becoming gray. Leaf blades oblanceolate, 2–4 cm long, white-mealy on both sides. Flowers: hypanthium mealy,1–3 mm long; sepalsgolden on the inside; male sepals ca. 0.5 mm long; female sepals ca. 1 mm long; Fruit ovoid, red, juicy, 5–7mm long, edible (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatCool slopes in grasslands, riparian thickets, forests; plains (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Silver BuffaloberryShepherdia argentea

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDELG03010



# Observations: 13

General DescriptionPerennial with a finely branched caudex and glabrous to puberulent foliage below the inflorescence. Stemsascending, 10–50 cm. Leaves: basal oblanceolate, numerous; cauline linear to narrowly oblanceolate, 1–6 cmlong. Inflorescence a few-flowered cyme. Flowers: calyx campanulate, inflated at maturity, sometimesglandular, 12–15 mm long, 10-nerved; petals white; the blade 4–6 mm long, shallowly bilobed with 2 apparentappendages; styles 3 to 5. Capsule opening by 3 to 5 slits, equaling the calyx at maturity. Our plants arevariety douglasii (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, stony meadows; valleys to subalpine, more common lower (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Douglas's CatchflySilene douglasii

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCAR0U0L0

Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G4G5TNRState Rank: SU


# Observations: 6

General DescriptionTaprooted perennial. Stems erect, glandular-hairy, 2–8 cm. Leaves: basal numerous, glabrous to short-hairy,oblanceolate 1–4 cm long; cauline few, reduced, linear. Flowers solitary, erect; calyx elliptic, glandular, purple-veined, not inflated, 7–10 mm long; petals white to pink, the blade 2–3 mm long, shallowly bilobed; styles 5.Capsule opening by 5 slits, equaling the calyx (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatStony granitic or volcanic soil of fellfields, turf; alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Mountain CampionSilene hitchguirei

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCAR0U202



# Observations: 12

General DescriptionPerennial from a slenderly-branched caudex; foliage retrose-pubescent.Stems trailing but erect distally, 5–25 cm. Leaves: basal numerous onshort sterile stems, oblanceolate, 2–4 cm long; cauline linear, reduced.Inflorescence a compact, densely pubescent cyme. Flowers erect; calyxtubular, purplish, 10-veined, 10–15 mm long; petals white, the blade 2-lobed, 3–7 mm long; styles 3, exserted. Capsules ovoid, equaling the calyx, opening by 6 slits. Non-calcareoustalus, turf; near or above treeline (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Our plants are subspecies australe C.L. Hitchc. & Maguire.

HabitatNon-calcareous talus, turf; near or above treeline (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Creeping CatchflySilene repens

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCAR0U1H0



# Observations: 18

General DescriptionPlants: Tufted perennial herbs with fibrous roots; stems typically simple(Cronquist et al. 1977) and flattened, to 45 cm in height (FNA 2002).

Leaves: Leaves firmly vertical or somewhat lax and ascending, usuallynot as tall as the stems (Cronquist et al. 1977), 1–2.5 mm in width;margins smooth to finely toothed (FNA 2002).

Inflorescence: Spathe usually borne at end of the stem, the bracts mostly very dissimilar in length (Cronquistet al. 1977); exterior bract 14-55(-65) mm in length (FNA 2002) with inside margins hyaline half the length ormore, and base joining stem for (2)3.5-7(8) mm; interior bract 13-28(-33) mm in length with inside marginshyaline most of the bract’s length (Cronquist et al. 1977); inflorescence of usually 2-6 flowers subtended bydelicate, smooth or glandular pedicels which seldom surpass the exterior bract (Cronquist et al. 1977).

HabitatStreambanks (Cronquist et al. 1977), moist to wet, often saline or alkaline meadows; valleys, montane (Lesica2012).

(Lesica’s contribution from Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX.)

Idaho Blue-eyed-grassSisyrinchium idahoense

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMIRI0D0T0



# Observations: 103

General DescriptionStems clumped, 12–40 cm. Leaves 1–3 mm wide. Inflorescence of 2 to 4 flowers; inner spathe 22–28 mm long;outer spathe 3–7 cm long. Flowers: tepals 7–11 mm long, blue with yellow bases (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety montanum.

HabitatMoist grasslands, moist to wet meadows; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Strict Blue-eyed-grassSisyrinchium montanum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMIRI0D110




General DescriptionStems 15–60 cm. Leaves 4–12 cm long, often folded. Inflorescence a simple, often zig-zag raceme with 3 to 12flowers. Flowers: tepals 3–5 mm long; stamens shorter and narrower than tepals. Berry green with darklongitudinal stripes, 5–12 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

HabitatGrasslands, moist meadows, thickets, moist to dry, often riparian forest, woodlands; plains, valleys, montane(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Starry False Solomon's-sealSmilacina stellata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMLIL1D040



# Observations: 678

General DescriptionRhizomatous. Stems ascending to erect, simple, 10–60 cm, sometimes clustered. Herbage: leaves glabrous,minutely ciliate; the inflorescence glabrate to puberulent. Leaves cauline, often also basal; basal petiolate;blades oblanceolate, entire to serrate, 3–12 cm long, usually 3-veined; cauline gradually reduced and becomingsessile upward. Inflorescence pyramidal to ovoid with spreading branches. Involucres campanulate, 2–5 mmhigh; phyllaries lanceolate to ovate, sometimes ciliate. Rays 7 to 14; ligules 1–3 mm long. Disk flowers 8 to20; corollas 3–4 mm long. Achenes 1–2 mm long, glabrous to strigose (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, fields, open forest; plains, valleys, montane, rarely higher (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Missouri GoldenrodSolidago missouriensis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST8P100



# Observations: 118

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems erect, 30–140 cm, sometimes branched above. Leaves linear-oblanceolate,pinnately lobed, 4–30 cm long, winged-petiolate below to sessile and auriculate above. Involucres 1–2 cmhigh; phyllaries glabrous or rarely stipitate-glandular. Ray ligules 7–13 mm long. Achenes brown, 2–4 mm long,minutely bumpy (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

We have subspecies arvensis and uliginosus (M.Bieb.) Nyman.

HabitatWet meadows, marshes, ditch banks, irrigated fields; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).



Field SowthistleSonchus arvensis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST8R010




http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 45

General DescriptionStems 5–50 cm, often floating. Leaves 2–12 mm wide, sometimes keeled, often exceeding the inflorescence.Inflorescence unbranched, of 2 to 6 sessile, contiguous or separate, male heads and 2 to 4, sessile orpedunculate female heads, 8–25 mm wide at maturity. Styles unbranched, 0.6–2 mm long. Achenes fusiform;body 3–6 mm long, constricted in the middle, tapering gradually to the beak, 2–4 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow, fresh water of lakes, ponds, sloughs, ditches, fens; plains, valleys to subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Narrowleaf Bur-reedSparganium angustifolium

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMSPA01030



# Observations: 38

General DescriptionStems 40–80 cm. Leaves: blades 3–5 mm wide; ligule 1–1.2 mm long. Inflorescences of 4 to 8 secund lateralspikes often appressed to the main rachis, each 3–4 cm long and with 20 to 30 spikelets. Spikelets 7–9 mmlong, glumes awnless or awn-tipped. Lemmas distally smooth (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatAlkaline seeps and meadows (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Alkali CordgrassSpartina gracilis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA5S060



# Observations: 47

General DescriptionStems erect, 2–15 cm. Leaves 8–25 mm long, deeply lobed into linear segments. Inflorescence capitate.Involucre 2–3 mm high; phyllaries 5 to 8, tomentose. Disk corollas 1–3 mm long. Achenes 1–2 mm long (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow, limestone-derived soil on rock outcrops in exposed sagebrush grassland, desert shrubland, and juniperwoodland in the valley and foothill zones.

Rock-tansySphaeromeria capitata

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# Observations: 13

General DescriptionStems 30–100 cm. Leaves: blades flat, 2–6 mm wide. Inflorescence anerect, dense, panicle with spicate branches, 7–20 cm long. Spikelets2.5–3.5 mm long; second glume broadest right near the tip. Lemmas 2–3 mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet to dry site inhabiting but usually where water is at least intermittently abundant (Lavin in Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Prairie WedgegrassSphenopholis obtusata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA5T030

Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G2G3State Rank: S1S2

Agency StatusUSFWS: LTUSFS:BLM:MNPS Threat Rank: 2C-value: 6


Ute ladies'-tresses is a perennial orchid with usually 1 stem that is 20-50 cm tall and arising from tuberously thickened roots. Its narrowleaves are 1 cm wide, can reach 28 cm long, are longest at their base,and persist during flowering. The inflorescence consists of few to manywhite or ivory flowers clustered in a spike of 3-rank spirals at the topof the stem. The sepals and petals are ascending or perpendicular tothe stem. The lateral sepals often spread abruptly from the base ofthe flower, and sepals are free or only slightly connate at the base.The lip petal is somewhat constricted at the median.

HabitatAlkaline wetlands, swales and old, meander channels often on the edge of the wetland or in areas that are dryby mid-summer. Habitat is limited to areas within major river drainages. In areas that are ungrazed,Spiranthes may occur among taller, relatively dense herbaceous vegetation making detection difficult.

Ute ladies'-tressesSpiranthes diluvialis

Range Year-round

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMORC2B100



# Observations: 55

General DescriptionPerennial. Stems 20–80 cm. Leaves: blades 2–5 mm wide; throat with aconspicuous tuft of whitish hairs. Inflorescence a contracted to openpanicle 8–20 cm long, partially enclosed in leaf sheath. Spikelets 2–2.5mm long. Lemmas 1.4–2.5 mm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatOccurring in disturbed settings and rarely in sagebrush steppe, common along roadsides and there conspicuousbecause of inflorescences each enclosed in an arcuate leaf sheath (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Sand DropseedSporobolus cryptandrus

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# Observations: 26

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems erect, 20–80 cm, simple or branched. Herbage hirsute, aromatic. Leaves short-petiolate to sessile; blades 3–9 cm long, lanceolate, truncate, serrate. Inflorescence of verticillasters in aterminal, interrupted, bracteate spike. Flowers: calyx glandular-villous, 5–9 mm long, lobes equal, purplish;corolla purple, spotted, 10–15 mm long, bilabiate, the upper lip hood-like, the lower 3-lobed; stamens 4,included; style subequally 2-lobed. Nutlets rounded above (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are subspecies pilosa (Nutt.) Epling

HabitatMoist or wet soil of marshes, wet meadows, often around streams, ponds; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Marsh Hedge-nettleStachys palustris

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDLAM1X0R0



# Observations: 17

General DescriptionGlabrous and glaucous, biennial or monocarpic perennial from a simple caudex covered in old leaf bases. Stemserect, simple or branched above, 50–80 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; basal leaves petiolate, the blade 5–13cm long, oblanceolate, entire or with a few basal teeth or lobes; stem leaves oblanceolate, sessile, auriculate.Petals pale yellow, brown at the base, 13–21 mm long, glabrous. Fruit downcurved, 3–6 cm long, constrictedbetween seeds; the stipe 10–20 mm long; pedicels spreading, 4–8 mm long. Stony, usually calcareous soil ofsparsely vegetated slopes in steppe, woodlands; montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatOpen, stony soil of steep slopes and outcrops in the valley, foothill and montane zones. Typically associatedwith calcareous substrates.

Green Prince's plumeStanleya viridiflora

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA2E060




# Observations: 88

General DescriptionGlabrous perennial forming loose mats. Stems prostrate to ascending,scabrous on the angles, 10–35 cm. Leaves linear, 1–5 cm long, minutelyscabrous on the margins. Inflorescence a terminal, bracteate, spreadingcyme. Flowers: sepals ovate, weakly 3-veined, 2–4 mm long; petalsequaling the sepals; stamens 5 to 10. Capsule 3–6 mm long, openingby 6 slits (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet soil along streams and wetlands; montane (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Longleaf StitchwortStellaria longifolia

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCAR0X0M0



# Observations: 865

General DescriptionStems 30–70 cm. Leaves: blades 2–4 mm wide, hairy or hairless atthroat region, ligule 3–6 mm long. Inflorescence a contracted tosometimes open panicle 15–32 cm long. Spikelets 16–35 mm long.Lemmas evenly to unevenly whitish hairy, with an awn 6.5–22 cm long (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX)..

HabitatOpen dry settings including sagebrush steppe with high native plant cover as well as well-grazed rangelandsand along secondary roads (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth,TX).

Needle-and-ThreadStipa comata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA5X080



# Observations: 878

General DescriptionStems 20–40 cm. Leaves: blade 2–3 mm wide, hairless to somewhat hairy near the throat; ligule 0.5–1 mmlong. Inflorescence a narrow contracted panicle 10–15 cm long. Spikelet 5–8 mm long. Lemmas appressedhairy, with an awn 3–4 cm long that is plumose in the lower portion (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSagebrush steppe and other open dry settings in the mountains (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Western NeedlegrassStipa occidentalis

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA5X0Q0



# Observations: 444

General DescriptionStems erect, usually branched above, 30–100 cm. Herbage glabrate.Leaves clasping, 4–10 cm long. Inflorescence: solitary pendent flowerson jointed peduncles. Flowers yellow-green; tepals 6–12 mm long withspreading to recurved tips; stamens unequal; style barely 3-lobed. Berryyellow or red, 8–12 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist to wet forest, thickets, especially along streams, lakes; valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Clasping Twisted-stalkStreptopus amplexifolius

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMLIL1X010



# Observations: 10

General DescriptionPerennial (annual) herb or subshrub. Stems erect to ascending,branched, 8–40 cm. Leaves 1–2 cm long, sometimes sparsely hairy.Glomerules with 1 to 12 flowers. Flowers sometimes unisexual; calyxsegments equal, ca. 1.5 mm long. Seeds < 1 mm, horizontal from perfect flowers, vertical from female flowers(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist, saline, fine-textured soil of stream terraces, around wetlands; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Mojave Sea-bliteSuaeda nigra

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCHE0P0F0



# Observations: 214

General DescriptionStems spreading to erect, highly branched, 30–150 cm; twigs glabrous to puberulent. Leaves narrowly ellipticto ovate, 1–3 cm long, pubescent beneath. Flowers: corolla tubular-campanulate, 5–10 mm long, lobes <1/2 aslong as the tube; style glabrous, 2–4 mm long; stamens barely included. Berry 7–10 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety utahensis (Rydb.) A. Nelson.

HabitatDry, open forest, grasslands, sagebrush steppe, talus; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Mountain SnowberrySymphoricarpos oreophilus

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDCPR050E0



# Observations: 19

General DescriptionNorthern bog aster grows from very slender underground runners less than 1/16" thick. The very slender stems,about 1/8" thick, grow from 6 inches to 3 feet tall and are hairless in the lower half but have lines of hairs inthe upper half. The stem leaves are long and narrow with a long pointed tip and a base that is rounded toslightly clasping the stem. The rough margins are inrolled and may have a few scattered teeth but usually haveno teeth at all. The main vein on the underside of the leaf is sometimes hairy. The lower leaves have oftenwithered and fallen off by the time the plant flowers. There are up to 20 branches at the top of the plant withone flower head at the end of each branch. Small plants usually only have one flower at the top. The small leafbracts around the bottom of the flower head are overlapping and held tight to the head. There are 20-30 whiteto pale rose or bluish ray flowers, 1/2 to 3/4" in length, around a yellow disk which turns purplish brown withage. The flattened fruits have one rib on each side and are sparsely hairy.

HabitatWet, organic, often calcareous soil of fens, wet meadows, thickets; valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Boreal AsterSymphyotrichum boreale

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# Observations: 27

General DescriptionPerennial from a branched caudex. Stems ascending to erect, sometimes branched, 20–70 cm, often clustered.Herbage strigose to pubescent. Leaves cauline, linear, sessile, entire, 1–5 cm long, often with fascicles orshort branches in the axils, the lowest deciduous. Inflorescence open, leafy-paniculate with numerous secundheads; peduncles pubescent to hispid. Involucre campanulate, 3–5 mm high; phyllaries imbricate, spreading,oblanceolate, mucronate, sparsely hispid, ciliate, green above, white below. Rays 10 to 18, white; ligules 3–6mm long. Disk flowers 6 to 12, yellow; corolla 2–3 mm long. Achenes oblong, 1–2 mm long, sparsely hairy(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety pansum (S.F. Blake) G.L.Nesom

HabitatMoist meadows, grasslands, often around streams, wetlands; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

White Heath AsterSymphyotrichum ericoides

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTE80L0



# Observations: 156

General DescriptionPerennial from rhizomes or a branched caudex. Stems ascending to erect, 15–70 cm. Herbage curly-puberulent.Leaves cauline, linear, sessile or subsessile, entire, 2–5 cm long, the lowest deciduous. Inflorescence open,leafy-paniculate with numerous heads; peduncles puberulent. Involucre campanulate, 5–8 mm high; phyllariesspreading, linear-oblanceolate, mucronate, short-hispid, green and recurved above, white below. Rays 20 to 35,white; ligules 4–7 mm long. Disk flowers 25–40, yellow; corollas 3–5 mm long. Achenes obconic, 2–3 mm long,brown, strigose (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, dry meadows; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

White Prairie AsterSymphyotrichum falcatum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTE80N0



# Observations: 261

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems ascending to erect, 6–80 cm. Herbageglabrate, sparsely hairy on stems. Leaves basal (often deciduous) andcauline; blades ovate to lanceolate, 2–15 cm long, entire; the lowerwith broad petioles, sometimes sessile and clasping above. Inflorescence leafy paniculate with 1 to severalheads; peduncles glabrous, puberulent or villous. Involucre campanulate, 6–15 mm high; phyllaries: outerlanceolate to oblanceolate, green, white-margined, sometimes foliaceous; inner narrower. Rays 15 to 60, blueor violet; ligules 6–18 mm long. Disk flowers 50 to 150, yellow; corollas 4–7 mm long. Achenes cylindric, 2–4mm long, hairy (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

The three varieties in Montana include foliaceum, apricum (A. Gray) G.L. Nesom, and parryi (D.C. Eaton) G.L.Nesom. Lesica (2012) also treats S. cusickii (A. Gray) P. Lesica (ined.) as a variety of this species.

HabitatMoist areas across a wide elevational range (Hitchcock & Cronquist 1973; Dorn 1984) (Lesica 2012. Manual ofMontana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Leafy-bracted AsterSymphyotrichum foliaceum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDASTE80Q0



# Observations: 39

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems erect, 40–100 cm. Herbage glabrate; stems puberulent in vertical lines from leafbases. Leaves cauline, sessile, linear to lanceolate, entire, 5–15 cm long, often fascicled, the lowestdeciduous. Inflorescence open, leafy-paniculate, usually with many heads; peduncles villous. Involucre narrowlycampanulate, 5–9 mm high; phyllaries linear-lanceolate, weakly imbricate, glabrate to ciliate, green with whitebases. Rays 18 to 45, white to blue; ligules 4–12 mm long. Disk flowers 18 to 52, yellow; corollas 4–7 mmlong. Achenes obovoid, 1–3 mm long, sparsely hairy. Moist, sometimes saline soil of meadows, usually aroundstreams, ponds; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are var. hesperium (A. Gray) G.L. Nesom.

HabitatMoist, sometimes saline soil of meadows, usually around streams, ponds; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manualof Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

White Panicle AsterSymphyotrichum lanceolatum

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# Observations: 21

General DescriptionHerbage glabrate to villous. Leaf blades ovate to lanceolate, 1–6 cm long, pinnately divided; leaflets deeplylobed; ultimate segments deltoid. Inflorescence: scape 3–12 cm long, as long or longer than the leaves; bractsciliate. Flowers: calyx 3–4 mm long; corolla 4–8 mm long, lobes ca. as long as the tube. Capsule 4–6 mm long,puberulent (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).We do not yet havedescriptive information on this species. Please try the buttons above to search for information from othersources.

Our plants are variety canescens Cronquist.

HabitatStony, usually non-calcareous soil of fellfields; alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRITPress. Fort Worth, TX).

Cut-leaf kittentailsSynthyris pinnatifida

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR1W050




General DescriptionPLANTS: Rhizomatous, perennial forbs with single, erect stems that grow 40-120 cm tall. Plants have few hairs(glabrate), milky sap, and ‘fern-like’ leaves. Source: Jacobs 2008; Lesica et al. 2012.

LEAVES: Basal leaves wither early. Stem leaves are alternately arranged and petiolate but become sessileupwards. Leaf blades are about 5-15 cm long, pinnately divided into lanceolate, serrate t sharply lobedleaflets. Leaves are glabrate and gland-dotted (punctate). The main stem between leaflets (rachis) issomewhat winged. Sources: Watson in FNA 2006; Lesica et al. 2012.

INFLORESCENCE: Flat-topped corymbiform. 20-200 yellow, rayless, button-like flowers are arranged in flat-topped, compact clusters. Flower heads have an involucre of 5-10 mm across, composed of subequal-sizedbracts forming 2-3 rows. Flowerheads lack ray florets (lack petals) and are composed of only yellow disc florets,1-3 mm tall. The involucre is composed of green, overlapping bracts that have dry, thin, membranous, andtranslucent margins and tips. The pappus is either crown-like or absent. Sources: Watson in FNA 2006; Lesicaet al. 2012.

The genus Tanacetum is authored by Carl Linnaeus and is derived from the word athanotos which implies‘immortality’ and references its uses in medicin and preservation. This plant was also called tanazetum orathanacetum in medieval Latin, and the Old French changed it to tanesie which sounds similar to ‘tansy’.The specific epithet of vulgare is from Latin meaning ‘ordinary’ or ‘common’. Sources: Watson in FNA 2006;Jacobs 2008.

HabitatIn Montana it grows in moist, disturbed meadows, often along streams or lakes, along roadsides and railroadtracks in the plains and valleys (Jacobs 2008; Lesica et al. 2012).

ManagementAn integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control, and requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Onceidentified then an integrated weed management strategy that promotes a weed-resistant plant community andserves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation can be developed,making control of spotted knapweed possible (Shelly et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999).

PREVENTION [Adapted from Jacobs 2008]Seed development must be prevented to reduce or stop spread. * Prevent vehicles from driving through and animals from grazing within infested areas, * Thoroughly wash the undercarriage of vehicles and wheels in a designated area before moving to anuninfested area,* Encourage landowners to frequently monitor their land for new infestations and, when found to implement

Common TansyTanacetum vulgare

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effective control methods.* Maintain proper livestock grazing management that is more resilient to Common Tansy invasion, and* Develop educational campaigns to teach people to not pick and transport the yellow flowers.

PHYSICAL and CULTURAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs 2008]Hand-pulling is effective for small populations. Hand-pulling should be done when soils are moist in order toremove all rhizomes. Rhizomes can re-sprout. Follow-up treatments will be necessary until all rhizomes and theseed bank are deleted.

Mowing reduces flower and seed production if done before the bloom stage. To maintain the vigor of desirableplants it is recommended to keep a 4-inch or greater stubble height. Plants in seed should not be mowedbecause it will spread them. Mowers must be carefully and thoroughly cleaned to prevent spreading seeds.

Tilling can control Common Tansy where it occurs in fields. However, disturbing the soil can cause germinationand/or fragmented rhizomes to grow. Follow-up treatments will be necessary until all rhizomes and the seedbank are deleted. Farming equipment must be carefully and thoroughly cleaned to prevent spreading seeds.

Prescribed burning should be integrated with other control methods, such as herbicide, grazing, andrevegetation management. Burned plants can regenerate from rhizomes. Burning can remove dense dried-uplitter. Burning can be used on actively growing plants to remove dead material in preparation for an herbicideapplication.

Revegetation should be integrated with other control methods, such as herbicide or hand-pulling. Plantcompetition reduces the invasiveness of Common Tansy and increases the effectiveness of control applications.Suppressing the population through hand-pulling or an herbicide application will help in re-vegetation efforts.Species selected for re-vegetating should be appropriate for management objectives, adapted to the siteconditions, and be competitive. Planting with appropriate native plants is highly encouraged. Refer to MontanaPlant Materials Technical Note 46, Seeding Rates for Conservation Species for Montana, and Extension BulletinEB0019, Dryland Pasture Species for Montana and Wyoming for possible species selection and seeding rates.Common tansy is often found in all the hydrologic zones of stream banks and riparian areas. Conservationpractices that address riparian restoration, such as Channel Bank Vegetation (Code 322), may be needed aftercommon tansy control to maintain hydrological cycles and prevent soil and water resource concerns such aserosion and sedimentation.

GRAZING CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs 2008]Common Tansy is reported to be toxic to livestock. Cattle in the mid-west have reported to abort their fetus.Some ingestion might be okay and wild ungulates might be more tolerant to the plant. It has been suggestedthat herbivores have a toxin blood-level feedback mechanism, whereby, that when a certain threshold isreached animals will no longer graze Common Tansy.

Sheep have been used to manage Common Tansy in Montana. However, it is recommended that that femalesheep be removed from areas with Common Tansy four weeks prior to breeding to avoid any potentialreproductive problems. In a Montana study, sheep reduced the above-ground biomass of Common Tansy by90% while consuming similar levels of perennial grasses. Long-term effects from grazing are unknown, but it ishypothesized that Common Tansy populations would decline allowing perennial grasses to increase.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS [Adapted from Jacobs 2008]An integrated vegetative management approach provides the best long-term control, and requires that land-use objectives and a desired plant community be identified (Shelly et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999). Onceidentified then an integrated weed management strategy that promotes a weed-resistant plant community andserves other land-use objectives such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, or recreation can be developed,making control of spotted knapweed possible (Shelly et al. in Sheley and Petroff 1999). For up to dateinformation on herbicides, consult Greenbook.

Common Tansy had been controlled using Metsulfuron, chlorsulfuron, or by mixing them. These chemicals arenot selective and can kill shrubs, grasses, and other broad-leaf plants. Applications can be applied to plantsgrowing to the water’s edge, but must not be applied directly to surface water of any depth. A non-ionicsurfactant at 0.5% volume/volume or methylated seed oil at 2% volume/volume in a spray solution isrecommended. Visible effects of the herbicides may not be apparent until 45 days after the treatment. * metsulfuron applied at a broadcast rate of 0.5 ounces per acre at the late bud stage (late June) providedalmost 100% control for one year for a population growing on moist soil. * metsulfuron and chlorosulfuron mixed together at the individual rate of 0.25 ounce per acre had similarresults as above.

At sites without a high water table, Picloram applied to actively growing plants in the bud to bloom stages canbe used to control Common Tansy. Picloram mixed with dicamba and applied to the budg stage provided 98%control for 24 months after treatment.

Where Common Tansy is growing in water, imazapyr applied at 1 quart per acre may provide some control.







http://mtweed.org







General DescriptionLeaves 4–30 cm long, deeply lobed with a large, terminal lobe. Peduncles erect, 5–40 cm, sometimes villous.Involucre 1–2 cm high; inner phyllaries pointed; outer phyllaries reflexed. Ray ligules 7–12 mm long. Achenes3–4 mm long, olive-green; beaks 7–12 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatVernally moist soil of meadows, thickets, woodlands, lawns, roadsides; plains, valleys, montane, occasionallyas high as alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Common dandelionTaraxacum officinale

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General DescriptionPlants dioecious. Stems 60–150 cm with glabrous foliage. Leaves sessile, 3–5 times ternate; ultimate leaflets2–3 cm long, acutely 3-lobed, leathery, distinctly veined, glaucous and sparsely hairy beneath with revolutemargins. Inflorescence compound bracteate panicles. Flowers with whitish sepals 3–4 mm long; anthers ca. 2mm long, much shorter than the tapered filaments. Fruits ca. 10 pubescent, spreading achenes, the body 2–4mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet meadows, thickets, ditch and stream banks; plains, valleys to montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Western MeadowrueThalictrum occidentale

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDRAN0M0F0


Species of ConcernNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G2State Rank: SH


# Observations: 8

General DescriptionNorthwestern thelypody is an herbaceous biennial or short-livedperennial with solitary, simple or branched stems that are 3-7 dm highand arising from a taproot. Its lower leaves are 4-10 cm long and havepetioles and narrowly lance-shaped, entire-margined blades. The upperstem leaves are 2-6 cm long and lance-shaped with basal wings thatclasp the stem. Foliage is glabrous and has a thin, waxy coating.Flowers are borne on ascending stalks in cylindric inflorescences thatare up to 35 cm long when mature. Each flower has 4 separate sepalsthat are 5-8 mm long, 4 separate, lavendar petals that are 10-16 mmlong and 2-6 mm wide, and 4 long and 2 short stamens. The ascending,straight, cylindrical capsules, or siliques, are 25-40 mm long and 1.3-2.3mm wide.

HabitatNorthwestern thelypody grows in wet sedge meadows where the water level may cover basal portions of theplant. It appears to favor meadows and stream bottoms that remain wet for most of the season. Two localitiesin Yellowstone National Park are in very wet sedge meadows. In contrast, Thelypodium sagittatum, grows inalkaline meadows that are often dry, but may be wet in the early part of the season (Al-Shehbaz 1973).

Northwestern ThelypodyThelypodium paniculatum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDBRA2N0B0



# Observations: 15

General DescriptionPlants with slender caudex branches that sometimes root. Stems prostrate to ascending, 2–10 cm, stipitate-glandular. Leaf blades lanceolate to oblanceolate, 1–6 cm long, stipitate-glandular, sessile on the stem.Involucres campanulate, 7–11 mm high; phyllaries lanceolate, stipitate-glandular, often purple. Ray ligules 7–12 mm long. Disk corollas 6–8 mm long. Achenes 2–5 mm long, villous (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatFellfields, talus, rock outcrops, eroding slopes; subalpine, alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Lyall's goldenweedTonestus lyallii

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# Observations: 84

General DescriptionBiennial or short-lived perennial. Stems erect, 2–25 cm. Herbage villous. Leaves spatulate, 1–4 cm long.Involucre hemispheric, 9–20 mm high; phyllaries ciliate, sparsely strigose, scarious-margined. Rays blue toviolet; ligules 8–17 mm long. Disk corollas 4–6 mm long. Achenes 3–5 mm long, pubescent (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSparsely vegetated soil of grasslands, sagebrush steppe, dry forest, woodlands; valleys to rarely alpine (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Parry's Townsend-daisyTownsendia parryi

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST9C0J0



# Observations: 82

General DescriptionSword Townsendia is a perennial 1-5 cm tall with a stemless crownsurmounting a taproot. Leaves are spathulate, 1-1.5 cm long and 2-4cm wide, covered by dense, long hairs which give them a woollyappearance, and tightly clustered in a rosette. 1-many flower heads aresessile, or solitary on leafless stalks. Ray flowers are 1-2 cm long, witha pale off-white color.

HabitatOpen, rocky, limestone-derived soils of slopes and windswept ridgetops in the foothills to the alpine; often inmountain mahogany woodlands and cushion plant grasslands.

Sword Townsend-daisyTownsendia spathulata

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDAST9C0M0




General DescriptionStems 30–110 cm. Cauline leaves 4–20 cm long. Involucre 2–4 cm high,to 6 cm in fruit; peduncle inflated, nearly as wide as the involucre. Raysyellow; ligules 10–15 mm long; the outer shorter than the phyllaries.Achene 20–35 mm long including the beak (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. FortWorth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, sagebrush steppe, open forest, woodlands, fields, roadsides, lawns; plains, valleys,montane(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Meadow Goat's-beardTragopogon dubius

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# Observations: 21

General DescriptionStems 15–100 cm. Cauline leaves 2–25 cm long, recurved at the tip.Involucre 15–20 mm high, to 35 mm in fruit; peduncle much narrowerthan the involucre. Rays yellow, ca. 15 mm long; the outer longer thanthe phyllaries. Achene 15–20 mm long including the beak (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrasslands, meadows, roadsides; plains, valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Meadow Goat's-beardTragopogon pratensis

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# Observations: 24

General DescriptionStoloniferous perennial. Stems prostrate, rooting at the nodes, 5–40cm. Herbage glabrate. Leaflets obovate, 1–2 cm long, serrulate withretuse tips; stipules 10–15 mm long, membranous, acuminate. Racemesaxillary, globose, ca. 1 cm wide in flower, 20 mm wide in fruit, involucrate, long-pedunculate. Flowers pink, 4–6mm long; calyx villous, becoming inflated and veiny; sepals linear, 2–3 mm long. Legume ca. 2 mm long, 1-seeded (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatLawns, moist meadows, streambanks; valleys (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Strawberry-head CloverTrifolium fragiferum

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http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDFAB400X0



# Observations: 99

General DescriptionStems ascending to erect, 15–70 cm. Leaves 4–40 cm long. Flowers: tepals 1–2 mm long; pistils 6 (sometimes3 aborted). Fruit erect, narrowly ovoid, 3–6 mm long on pedicels 2–4 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet, open, alkaline soil around ponds and springs in the valley zone.

Common Bog Arrow-grassTriglochin maritima

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJCG02030



# Observations: 73

General DescriptionStems ascending to erect, 10–40 cm. Leaves 5–30 cm long. Flowers: tepals 1–2 mm long; pistils 3. Fruit erect,narrowly obconic, 5–10 mm long on pedicels 2–6 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants.BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatWet, usually alkaline, often organic soils of fens, shallow wetlands; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Slender Bog Arrow-grassTriglochin palustris

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMJCG02040



# Observations: 430

General DescriptionStems 15–50 cm. Leaves: blades 1.5–3 mm wide. Inflorescence aspicate panicle 10–25 cm long. Spikelets 7–9 mm long. Lemmas 2 to 4per spikelet, awn 5–7 mm, bent, from upper half of lemma (Lavin inLesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMostly montane to subalpine understory (Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Narrow False OatsTrisetum spicatum

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMPOA690C0



# Observations: 294

General DescriptionStems 1–2 m. Leaves glaucous, 6–18 mm wide. Inflorescence: male spike 7–15 × 1–2 cm; contiguous orseparated from the female spike 7–15 × 1–3 cm. Flowers: stigma lanceolate black at the tip; pollen grainsshed in tetrads (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatShallow to moderately deep water of marshes, ponds, lakes, ditches; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Broadleaf CattailTypha latifolia

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMTYP01040



# Observations: 415

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial with nearly glabrous foliage and stinging hairs. Stems 4-angled, often unbranched, 50–150 cm. Leaves opposite with prominent stipules; the blades lanceolate to ovate, 3–15 cm long with deeplyserrate margins. Flowers in drooping axillary panicles; female flowers with 2 pairs of tepals; the outer narrowand ca. 1 mm long; the inner broader and longer. Achenes flattened-ovoid, ca. 1.5 mm long (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist, usually disturbed, often organic soil of meadows, open forest, streambanks; plains, valleys to lowersubalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Stinging NettleUrtica dioica

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDURT0D020



# Observations: 137

General DescriptionStems coarse. Turions ovoid, 15–25 mm long. Leaves crowded, 1–5 cm long, pinnately divided, the segmentsentire. Bladders numerous, 2–5 mm long, attached to leaf segments only. Inflorescence of 5 to 12 flowers;scape 10–40 cm. Flowers: calyx 4–5 mm long; corolla 10–18 mm long; spur 5–8 mm long. Capsule 2–5 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatLakes, ponds, sloughs; plains, valleys, montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Greater BladderwortUtricularia macrorhiza

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDLNT020C0




General DescriptionDwarf shrubs to ca. 20 cm. Stems slender, branching angle narrow,erect-ascending, broomlike, those 2–3 yr old green, sharply angled.Leaves to 15 mm long; blades elliptic to narrowly ovate. Flowers urn-shaped, to ca. 3 mm long, longer than wide, white-tinged with pink. Berry bright, tomato-red, to ca. 4 mmbroad (Stickney in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatConiferous forests; subalpine, alpine (Stickney in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press.Fort Worth, TX).

Grouse WhortleberryVaccinium scoparium

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDERI180Y0



# Observations: 325

General DescriptionPlants from a short, often branched rhizome. Stems 25–75 cm, glabrous except at the nodes. Basal leavesabsent or similar to but smaller than the cauline. Stem leaves petiolate; blades 6–15 cm long, with 1 to 4 pairsof lanceolate to ovate, crenate lateral lobes and a somewhat larger terminal lobe. Inflorescence hemispheric,2–6 cm across, puberulent. Flowers perfect; corolla white to pink, sparsely hairy, 5–8 mm long, lobes less thanhalf as long as the tube. Achenes lance-ovate, 4–6 mm long, glabrous (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMeadows, open forest, avalanche slopes, often along streams or habitats with abundant snow cover; montane,subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Sitka ValerianValeriana sitchensis

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDVAL030E0




General DescriptionStems erect, simple, 40–150 cm. Herbage yellow-tomentose with stellate hairs. Basal leaf blades oblanceolateto obovate, 5–40 cm long, entire to shallowly serrate. Stem leaves reduced upward, lanceolate, basallydecurrent on the stem. Inflorescence a spike-like panicle. Flowers: calyx 4–10 mm long; corolla yellow, 15–20mm across; filaments of upper anthers yellow-villous. Capsule 7–10 mm long, stellate-hairy(Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatDisturbed, often stony soil of grasslands, meadows, open forest, talus slopes, roadsides; plains, valleys,montane (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).



Common MulleinVerbascum thapsus

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR1Z080




http://mtweed.org






# Observations: 191

General DescriptionRhizomatous perennial. Stems often branched, basally prostrate, rootingat the nodes, terminally ascending, 5–40 cm. Herbage glabrous. Leavesshort-petiolate; blades 1–6 cm long, lanceolate to ovate, serrate.Inflorescence of axillary racemes, glabrous; pedicels 5–12 mm long. Flowers: calyx 2–4 mm long; corolla blue,5–9 mm across; style 2–3 mm long. Capsule broadly ovate, 2–4 mm long, glabrous, barely notched (Lesica2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatSlow, shallow water or wet banks of streams, ditches, wetlands, wet meadows; plains, valleys, montane(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

American SpeedwellVeronica americana

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDSCR20030



# Observations: 197

General DescriptionGlabrous to sparsely puberulent without horizontal rhizomes or stolons.Stems mostly subterranean, the aerial portion 2–8 cm. Leaf blades 1–10cm long, narrowly to broadly lanceolate, entire to remotely crenulate,the base long-tapered to truncate; stipules adnate to stem. Flowers 8–15 mm long, yellow; upper petalsbrownish on back; the lower 3 with purple lines; spur ca. 1 mm long; style tip hairy. Capsule 6–9 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety nuttallii, praemorsa (Douglas ex Lindl.) S. Watson, or vallicola (A. Nelson) H. St. John.

HabitatGrasslands meadows, steppe; plains, valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Nuttall's VioletViola nuttallii

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDVIO04190



# Observations: 34

General DescriptionRhizomatous, puberulent. Stems 1–3 cm, mostly subterranean. Leaf blades 5–20 mm wide, lanceolate toovate, thick, purple-tinged, shallowly lobed; stipules lanceolate. Flowers yellow, 7–12 mm long; petals withbrown lines; the lateral pair bearded; spur 1–2 mm long; style tip hairy. Capsule puberulent; 4–5 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Our plants are variety venosa (S.Watson) Brainerd.

HabitatGravelly soil of meadows, grasslands, exposed slopes; montane, subalpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of MontanaVascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Pine VioletViola purpurea

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PDVIO041S0



# Observations: 464

General DescriptionStems 10–60 cm. Leaves glaucous, 8–30 cm × 2–10 mm. Inflorescence a raceme or branched panicle; flowerswell-separated below; pedicels 5–40 mm long. Flowers: tepals 6–11 mm long, the inner longer with a claw 0.5–1 mm long; stamens as long as the tepals. Capsule 12–20 mm long (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana VascularPlants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatMoist meadows, open forest, often along streams, stony, calcareous soil of exposed slopes, ridges; montaneto lower alpine (Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Mountain DeathcamasZigadenus elegans

View in Field Guide




# Observations: 617

General DescriptionStems 15–40 cm. Leaves 10–25 cm × 2–4 mm. Inflorescence a crowded, puberulent raceme; pedicels 5–15 mmlong. Flowers: tepals 3–5.5 mm long; the inner longer; stamens longer than the tepals. Capsule 8–13 mm long(Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

HabitatGrassland, sagebrush steppe, dry meadows, rock outcrops; plains, valleys to lower subalpine (Lesica 2012.Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Meadow DeathcamasZigadenus venenosus

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=PMLIL280D0


Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5?State Rank: SNR

Agency StatusUSFWS:USFS:BLM:MNPS Threat Rank:

# Observations: 1



Short-pointed Lantern MossCyrtomnium hymenophylloides

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=NBMUS9R010

Status Under ReviewNative SpeciesGlobal Rank: G5State Rank: SNR


# Observations: 362

General DescriptionPlants: Pleurocarpous, to 40 cm in length (FNA 2014), occasionally to 70cm, often appearing “long and stringy” (Flowers 1973), shiny, red withgolden tones (FNA 2014), olive green (Flowers 1973), deep green togreen with golden tones, or brown (FNA 2014), the bottom part black(Flowers 1973). Stems irregularly branched (FNA 2014), the lower part ofthe stem becoming somewhat bare (Flowers 1973); tips of the stemsand branches soft, swollen, narrowing to a point; central strand wanting; axillary hairs consisting of 6-10 cells,the first cell square and red (FNA 2014).

Leaves: Those of branches and stems alike, distant to closely-spaced (Crum and Anderson et al. 1981),overlapping or flat against the stem when dry, upright or spreading a little when damp, in 3 vertical rows alongthe stem (FNA 2014) with those below more remote and spreading, those above more crowded, upright andoverlapping (Flowers 1973), strongly folded longitudinally, curving from base to tip along the keel, 2-8 mm inlength, egg-shaped, sometimes tending to oblong, seldom approaching circular, tapering to the acute to nearlyobtuse and sometimes curved apex; base extending down the stem; leaf edges sometimes bent back anddownward widely below on one side (FNA 2014) or sometimes both sides (Flowers 1973); costa absent orscarcely developed (FNA 2014).

Leaf Cells: Medical cells of the lamina long and slender, tapering at the ends, to long and narrowly diamond-shaped; alar cells oblong, swollen, the walls flaccid (FNA 2014).

HabitatAffixed to stones, small dead branches, tree and shrub roots and submerged in running water (Crum andAnderson et al. 1981), also pools, swamps, flat area that flood; occurring from lowlands to about 10,826 feetelevation (FNA 2014).

Robust Fountain MossFontinalis antipyretica

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=NBMUS2X070



# Observations: 3

General DescriptionPlants: Acrocarpous (Vitt 1988). Growing in thick, loose clumps witherect stems, deep green touched with red hues above, typically reddishbelow. Stems 1-10 cm in height, not possessing a central strand(Flowers 1973).

Leaves: Leaves nearly flattened to the stem, folded longitudinally, andfrequently contorted a little when dry, spreading about 90 degrees with the tips turned downwards (squarrose-recurved) when wet, concave, oblong and spatula- to strap-shaped (lanceolate or broadly so toward the bottomin some forms); apex obtuse and gently rounded to sometimes narrowly acute (Flowers 1973); marginsunbordered, rolled back to above the middle (Lawton 1971), flat in the apical 1/3; costa sturdy, excurrent toform a hair-point; hair-point red, smooth to minutely toothed with papillae (Flowers 1973) at the back, stilllooking glossy and smooth under a stereoscope (Crum and Anderson 1981), its bottom frequently broad anddecurrent with the leaf apex (Flowers 1973).

Leaf Cells: Apical cells frequently fine-walled, polygonal, deep green, coarsely roughened, occasionally withstellate papillae (Flowers 1973) but usually thickly covered with C-shaped papillae on both faces (Crum andAnderson 1981); basal laminal cells longer than the apical cells, not papillose, hyaline; basal marginal cellsshort, green or red. Leaves toward the base frequently erect (Flowers 1973).

HabitatCalcareous soil and rock (Crum and Anderson 1981) and rock crevices (Flowers 1973); also reported from moistgranitic rocks (Weber 1973). Mostly montane to alpine (Flowers 1973), and associated with late snows (Vitt1988).

Norwegian Syntrichia MossSyntrichia norvegica

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=NBMUS7L0H0




# Observations: 5

General DescriptionThallus squamulose, pale yellowish green to pale brownish green;squamules ascending, more or less imbricate, and 1-3(4) mm indiameter (McCune and Goward 1995).

HabitatOn soil and in fissures of rock in alpine sites.

Pea-green Scale LichenPsora rubiformis

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=NLT0024060

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: SNR



General DescriptionChara, one of the genera of green algae, grows submerged in water.Chara’s root-like rhizoids, which attach the green algae to the muddysubstrate, are colorless and well-developed (DiTomaso and Kyser et al.2013). The shoot-like central axis or stipe is ridged (Swistock andSmiles 2008) and has regularly-spaced nodes or joints. Between thenodes, the axis is solid. Whorls of slender, leaf-like branches developfrom each node, some of these branches growing as long as 12 inchesor more (DiTomaso and Kyser et al. 2013). These branches are ridged (Swistock and Smiles 2008).

Generally, Chara species are grayish-green and coarse. They are often covered with deposits of carbonate,which cause them to be rough to the touch and to smell like garlic or skunk when crushed (DiTomaso and Kyseret al. 2013), giving them the name of “muskgrass” (Swistock and Smiles 2008).

HabitatPonds, lakes, reservoirs, streams, rivers, bogs, and dikes; frequently in hard, alkaline water, such as in areasof limestone and mineral springs. Some species are capable of living in brackish water (DiTomaso and Kyser etal. 2013).

CharaChara sp.

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=NACHLMT002

Native SpeciesGlobal Rank: GNRState Rank: SNR


# Observations: 557

General DescriptionNitella, one of the genera of green algae, grows submerged in water. Nitella’s root-like rhizoids, which attachthe plants to the muddy substrate, are colorless and well-developed (DiTomaso and Kyser et al. 2013). Theshoot-like central axis or stipe is ridged (Swistock and Smiles 2008) with regularly-spaced nodes or joints.Between the nodes, the axis is solid. Whorls of slender, leaf-like branches develop from each node, some ofthese branches grow as long as 12 inches or more (DiTomaso and Kyser et al. 2013).

Nitella species are typically deep, translucent green, and very smooth and delicate (DiTomaso and Kyser et al.2013).

HabitatPonds, lakes, reservoirs, streams,d rivers, bogs, and dikes; frequently acids waters with muddy substrates(Swistock and Smiles 2008).

NitellaNitella sp.

View in Field Guide

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=NACHLMT001

o n ta n a F ie ld G u id e - | Ruby Valley Conservation District

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