For the Love of Grass IV
Power Botanizing in Eastern Montana and Northeastern Wyoming
By
Larry Holzworth, Wendall Oaks, Bob MacLauchlan, Fred Gaffney, Jack Carlson and Curtis Sharp
June 2011
1
For the Love of Grass - IV
Power Botanizing in the Northern Great Plains of Montana
and Wyoming
Our fourth "For the Love of Grass" trek, in June 2011, included all previous participants. Route
organizer Larry Holzworth, plus Jack Carlson, Fred Gaffney and Wendall Oaks represented the
core of Power Botanists. Bob MacLaughlan and Curtis Sharp provided consistency (they have yet
to miss one), some botanical help, and class.
Our rendezvous was in Bozeman, MT on June 20. Larry had identified 10 grasslands to be
inventoried, but the number grew to 13, plus a few unscheduled ones. Five additional Point of
Interest stops were made, including the Bridger Plant Materials Center, The Little Big Horn
Battlefield and Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Charles M. Russell museum in Great
Falls. It was an outstanding and busy agenda.
Our inventory mission at each scheduled site was the same as on previous treks; identify every
plant within a 'reasonable' area, consisting of one to several acres, and leave only when satisfied
that this has been accomplished. Miles to travel and darkness were our primary enemies.
Unscheduled inventories included whatever could be recorded before the vehicle moved on.
During the six days of inventorying we traveled 1965 miles, solved most of the world's problems,
correctly or incorrectly identified about 720 plants, and scheduled the 2012 trek. Of the 720 plants
identified 37% occurred only once, 22% twice, 13% three times and 4 through 13 times 28%. Two
plants occurred 10 times each; Koeleria macranth, prairie junegrass and Tragopogon dubius,
yellow salsify. The most frequently occurring plant was Pascopyrum smithii, western wheatgrass,
which was present in 13 of the 17 inventories. The four sites where it did not occur were the four
smallest in terms on land area surveyed.
We departed Bozeman on June 21st, traveling east on I-90. After 75 miles we took a break at the I-
90 Graycliff Rest Stop. As the doors swung open two headed for the bathroom and the rest for the
surrounding vegetation. The priority was clear, power botanizing first, personal comfort second.
Combining the time together with old friends, the outdoor beauty of Montana and Wyoming, the
historic sites visited and our mutual love of plants will mark the 2011 "For the Love of Grass" a
wonderful trek.
I believe if I should die, and you were to walk near my grave, from the very depths of the earth I would know you were only looking plants to identify. (Apology to). ~Benito Perez Galdos
Always the
student, our
committed leader, Larry
Holtzworth.
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Day 1 - Tuesday, June 21
Inventory 1 - Graycliff Rest Stop, I-90.
Our first unscheduled inventory was a great warm up. It was no larger than a quarter-acre and took
less than a quarter hour to complete. It is on the line of Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) 46
(Northern Rocky Mountain Foothills) and 58A (Northern Rolling High Plains). Both MLRAs
support grassland vegetation, including bluebunch and western wheatgrasses. Plant recorder Jack
Carlson listed the following species.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin Brassica nigra (L.) Koch black mustard Forb Weed
Bromus inermis Leysis. smooth brome Graminoid Introduced
Bromus tectorum L. cheatgrass Graminoid Weed
Centaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek
spotted knapweed Forb Weed
Cerastium arvense L. field chickweed Forb Weed
Collomia linearis Nutt. tiny trumpet Forb Native Cynoglossum officinale L. gypsyflower Forb Weed
Dactylis glomerata L. orchardgrass Graminoid Introduced
Elymus repens (L.) Gould quackgrass Graminoid Weed
Galium boreale L. northern bedstraw Forb Native
Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. Rocky Mountain juniper
Tree Native
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden lodgepole pine Tree Native
Noxious weed Cynoglossum officinale, gypsyflower, and Prunus viginiana, choke cherry, the everywhere
plant
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Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson ponderosa Pine Tree Native
Plantago major L. common plantain Forb Introduced
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Prunus viginiana L. chokecherry Shrub Native
Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve bluebunch wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir prickly current Shrub Native
Ribies cereum Douglas wax current Shrub Native
Inventory 2 - Route 421 County Line
A car full of Power Botanists driving through
Montana is like kids in a candy store. As we
traveled towards the Bridger PMC on state route
421 we were obligated to stop for roadwork.
"What's that yellow flowered job there in the
field?" In a flash the pilot car beckoned us on but
not before a couple pictures and five plants were
recorded. The yellow flowered job was Arnica
mollis, hairy arnica. The site was near the county
line between Sweetgrass and Stillwater. It wasn't as
romantic as the names implied.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Alyssum desertorum Stapf desert madwort Forb Native
Arnica mollis Hook. hairy arnica Forb Native
Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. littlepod false flax Forb Native
Hackelia floribunda (Lehm.) I.M. Johnst. many-flowered stickseed Forb Native
Thlaspi arvense L. field pennycress Forb Weed
Bridger Plant Materials Center, including Inventory Site 3.
This was our first Point of Interest site. First we had lunch in town with the PMC staff, including
Joseph Scianna, Roger Hybner, Susan Winslow and retired employees John Scheetz and Jean
Hobson.
Following a lunch we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon reviewing the PMC. Bridger has been a
national leader in developing widely tested cultivars that prove their merit by becoming high
demand and high volume releases. Since its establishment in 1959 this PMC has maintained a high
level of production and an innovative approach to doing business. For example, two trees for use
in Great Plains shelterbelts were released as germplasm. One of them was the first truly successful
germplasm releases, and represented the intent of this approach for plants requiring decades to
release as a tested cultivar. Their new plants have paid high dividends for soil and water
conservation in the Northern Great Plains, and for the commercial grower who produce them.
From the looks of things they will continue on that path.
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The following are some of the plants identified on the PMC:
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. crested wheatgrass Graminoid Introduced
Agrostis scabra Willd. rough bentgrass Graminoid Native
Artemisia tridentata Nutt. big sagebrush Shrub Native
Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. ground plum Legume Native
Astragalus drummondii Douglas ex Hook. Drummond's milkvetch Legume Native
Astragalus flexuosus Douglas ex G. Don flexile milkvetch Legume Native
Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) J.T. Columbus buffalograss Graminoid Native
Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths
blue grama Graminoid Native
Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould thickspike wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L. Nesom & Baird ssp. nauseosa
rubber rabbitbrush Shrub Native
Festuca ovina L. sheep fescue Graminoid Native
Gaillardia aristata Pursh common gaillardia Forb Native
Helianthus pauciflorus Nutt. stiff sunflower Forb Native
Juncus arcticus Willd. ssp. littoralis (Engelm.) Hultén
mountain rush Graminoid Native
Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. Rocky Mountain juniper Tree Native
Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A. Meeuse & Smit
winterfat Shrub Native
Leymus cinereus (Scribn. & Merr.) A. Löve basin wildrye Graminoid Native
Penstemon eriantherus Pursh fuzzytongue penstemon Forb Native
Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden lodgepole pine Tree Native
Pinus flexilis James limber pine Tree Native
Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson ponderosa Pine Tree Native
Poa compressa L. Canada bluegrass Graminoid Native
Poa secunda J. Presl Sandberg bluegrass Graminoid Native
Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski Russian wildrye Graminoid Introduced
The trees on the left are Hunter ponderosa pines, Pinus ponderosa. On the right Rocky Mountain junipers,
Juniperus scopulorum.
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Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC. antelope bitterbrush Shrub Native
Quercus macrocarpa Michx. bur oak Tree Native
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. prairie coneflower Forb Native
Rosa woodsii Lindl. Wood's rose Shrub Native
Thermopsis montana Nutt. mountain goldenbanner Legume Native
Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson
prairie thermopsis Legume Native
Vitus riparia Michl riverbank grape Vine Native
Larry on left and Joe Scianna, PMC manager on the right. They are
looking at a potential release. It is a hybrid of Russian olive and
silverberry, Elaeagnus angustifolia x Elaeagnus commutata.
To me a lush carpet of 'Covar" sheep fescue is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. Apologies to Helen Keller
Susan Winslow explains the details of this project. The ID was not made of the plant in the forefront except that it was a
sunflower. One could speculate the fellow in the back is
looking for a place to lie down.
Fred never saw a rush or sedge he didn't
like. This one is Juncus arcticus, mountain
rush.
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Larry explaining planting, which has 1 row each of Rocky
Mountain juniper, blue spruce and Siberian peashrub.
Day 2 – Wednesday, June 22
Inventory 4 - The Rehberg Yellowstone Soil Conservation District Living Snow
Fence.
Following our over night in Billings, we needed to pick up our last trekker, Wendall Oaks, at the
airport around 10:00AM. Of course Larry would not permit us just hanging out at the airport, so
we visited a near by, cooperatively established living snow fence, established in 1989. This was
one of several demonstrational snow fences that were established around the state. Like Inventory
1 this site is on the line of MLRA 46 and 58A.
The original project had several objectives, including an evaluation of establishment methods.
For more details see Tillage for Weed Control in Windbreaks and Shelterbelts. Logar, R. and J.
Scianna. 2005. Montana NRCS, Bozeman, MT, Bozeman, MT. Forestry TN No. MT-24. 3p. on
the Bridger PMC web site.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Agropyron fragile (Roth) P. Candargy Siberian wheatgrass Graminoid Introduced
Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young
Wyoming big sagebrush Shrub Native
Bromus inermis Leysis. smooth brome Graminoid Introduced
Bromus tectorum L. cheatgrass Graminoid Weed
Caragana arborescens Lam. Siberian peashrub Shrub Introduced
Chorispora tenella (Pall.) DC. crossflower Forb Introduced
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada thistle Forb Weed
Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton western tansymustard Forb Native
Not to be out done Siberian wheathrass
is protecting the edges.
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Festuca ovina L. sheep fescue Graminoid Native
Filago vulgaris Lam. common cottonrose Forb Introduced
Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. Rocky Mountain juniper Tree Native
Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce Forb Weed
Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose cous biscuitroot Forb Native
Medicago lupulina L. black medic Legume Introduced
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover Legume Introduced
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Picea glauca (Moench) Voss white spruce Tree Native
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Polygonum arenastrum Jord. ex Boreau oval-leaf knotweed Forb Introduced
Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey
intermediate wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Around 9:45, as we were enjoying our snow fence discussion, a frantic phone call from Wendall,
advising us he was there. We were all pleased to see him, who had volunteered to be the
designated driver for the remainder of the trek, which delighted our host Larry. A quick departure
followed and in short order we were headed for the Battle of the Little Bighorn site.
Inventory 5 - I-90 Mile Marker 491
Regardless how good our Power Botanist are, Wendall exceeded even the speed at which they
could identify that bluish blur on the road bank. Bob and Curtis said they were pretty good at 80
MPH and above, but Wendall wheeled us to a stop. It was near mile post 491, on I-90 in Big Horn
County, near the Crow Indian Reservation. A few pictures were quickly taken and four plants
identified. The blue blur was Astragalus missouriensis, Missouri milkvetch.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Astragalus missouriensis Nutt. Missouri milkvetch Legume Native
Erodium L'Hér. ex Aiton stork's bill Forb ?
Penstemon eriantherus Pursh fuzzytongue penstemon Forb Native
Stanleya pinnata (Pursh) Britton desert princesplume Forb Native
A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.-Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
Astragalus missouriensis, Missouri milkvetch
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Inventory 6 - The Battle of the Little Big Horn Battlefield.
We reached the Battle of the Little Bighorn
museum, Point of Interest 2, shortly after
lunch. From there, remaining on the battle
field, we conducted our first scheduled
inventory, about 4 miles south of the museum.
Along the way to it grave stones appear at the
spot where a soldier fell.
The inventory site was quite, serene and
beautiful. It was near the point where units
commanded by Major Marcus Reno and
Captain Frederick Benteen reunited on June
25, 1876, after Reno's retreat from their battle
at the Indian village. Here they developed a
strong defensive position on high ground. They held out here until reinforcements led by General
Gibbon arrived on the June 27. On seeing the arrival of fresh troops, the Sioux withdrew. Gibbon
then went north the 3 miles to where Custer had been fighting. He was overcome by what he
found. Realizing Custer's unit no longer existed the remnant of the Seventh Cavalry retreated to the
mouth of the Little Big Horn, where a steamer was waiting.
This was a typical Northern Rocky Mountain
Foothills site, also in MLRA 58A. In 1976 land
cover in Powder River County was 84%
rangeland, 10% woodland, and 5% cropland.
Irregularly sloping and hilly terrain at higher
elevations in the county are made up of silty
loams to clay loams. Soils are medium textured
and generally shallow. About 65 species were
identified over the several acres that were
surveyed.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin Achillea millefolium L. common yarrow Forb Native
Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. textile onion Forb Native
Alyssum desertorum Stapf desert madwort Graminoid Native
Antennaria neglecta Greene field pussytoes Forb Native
Arnica mollis Hook. hairy arnica Forb Native
Artemisia campestris L. field sagewort Shrub Native
Artemisia frigida Willd. prairie sagewort Shrub Native
Artemisia tridentata Nutt. big sagebrush Shrub Native
Asclepias speciosa Torr. showy milkweed Forb Native
The consultation is under way.
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Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. ground plum Legume Native
Astragalus drummondii Drummond's milkvetch Legune Native
Astragalus gilviflorus Sheldon plains milkvetch Legume Native
Atriplex patula L. spear salt Forb Native
Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. sideoats grama Graminoid Native
Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths
blue grama Graminoid ?
Brassica L. pale yellow mustard Forb Weed
Bromus arvensis L. field brome Graminoid Weed
Bromus tectorum L. cheatgrass Graminoid Native
Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & A. Gray sego lily Forb Native
Carex filifolia Nutt. threadleaf sedge Graminoid Weed
Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. bastard toadflax Forb Native
Crepis acuminata Nutt. tapertip hawksbeard Forb Native
Echinacea angustifolia DC. purple coneflower Forb ?
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Erigeron L. feabane Forb Native
Eriogonum flavum Nutt. alpine golden buckwheat
Forb Native
Festuca idahoensis Elmer Idaho fescue Graminoid Native
Filago vulgaris Lam. common cottonrose Forb Introduced
Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh scarlet beeblossom Forb Native
Geum triflorum Pursh old man's whickers Forb Native
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal curlycup gumweed Forb Native
Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby broom snakeweed Shrub Native
Helianthus annuus L. common sunflower Forb Native
Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth needle and thread Graminoid Native
Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. Rocky Mountain juniper Tree Native
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A. Meeuse & Smit
winterfat Shrub Weed
Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce Forb Native
Linum lewisii Pursh Lewis flax Forb Native
Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose cous biscuitroot Forb Native
Lupinus argenteus Pursh silvery lupine Forb Introduced
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover Legume Native
Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth green needlegrass Graminoid Native
Oenothera caespitosa Nutt. tufted evening primrose Forb Native
Opuntia polyacantha Haw. plains pricklypear Succulent Native
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Pediomelum argophyllum (Pursh) J. Grimes silverleaf Indian breadroot
Legume Native
Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. large Indian breadroot Legume Native
Penstemon albidus Nutt. white penstemon Forb Native
Penstemon eriantherus Pursh fuzzytongue penstemon Forb Native
Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz. threadleaf phacelia Forb Native
Phlox hoodii Richerdson spiny phlox Forb Introduced
Poa bulbosa L. bulbous bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass Graminoid Native
Poa secunda J. Presl Sandberg bluegrass Graminoid Native
Prunus viginiana L. chokecherry Shrub Native
Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve bluebunch wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Psoralidium lanceolatum (Pursh) Rydb. lemon scurfpea Legume Native
Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac Shrub Native
Rosa woodsii Lindl. Wood's rose Shrub Native
Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. greasewood Shrub ?
Senecio L. rag wort Forb Weed
Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. dandelion Forb Native
Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson
prairie thermopsis Legume Weed
Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Native
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Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch Legume Native
Yucca glauca Nutt. soapweed yucca Shrub
As the afternoon drifted away, we took
leave of this most solemn place, which
the Lakota Indians called the "Battle of
Greasy Grass", and headed east, leaving
the Crow Indian Reservation and
entering the Northern Cheyenne
Reservation. The Northern Cheyenne
were allies of the Lakota in the Black
Hills War of 1876–77. This is their flag.
Inventory 7 - Camp Pass, Custer National Forest
This site is also in MLRA 58A, near
the Rose Bud and Powder River
County line. It is along US Route 212
to the east of the Northern Cheyenne
Reservation and approximately 20
miles west of Broadus, MT. The
Custer National Forest is the most
diverse and widespread forest of the
whole National Forest Service
System. It has three Ranger Districts.
Our location was in the Ashland
District, which offers a variety of
topography, varying from rolling
grasslands and forested areas, to steep
rock outcrops. Vegetation varies from
prairie to dense stands of ponderosa
pine. Our site was near the top of a ridge, along an abandoned road running into a forested area.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Achillea millefolium L. common yarrow Forb Native
Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. crested wheatgrass Graminoid Introduced
Agrostis stolonifera L. creeping bentgrass Graminoid Native
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Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. textile onion Forb Native
Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem.
Saskatoon serviceberry Shrub Native
Antennaria neglecta Greene field pussytoes Forb Native
Apocynum androsaemifolium L. spreading dogbane Forb Native
Arnica cordifolia Hook. heartleaf arnica Forb Native
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. white sagebrush Forb Native
Avenula hookerI (Scribin.) Holub spikeoat Graminoid Native
Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt. arrowleaf balsamroot Forb Native
Bromus marginatus Nees ex Steud. mountain brome Graminoid Native
Calamagrostis rubescens Buckley pinegrass Graminoid Native
Cerastium arvense L. field Chickweed Forb Weed
Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. Wavyleaf thistle Forb Native
Collomia linearis Nutt. tiny trumpet Forb Native
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Virginia strawberry Forb Native
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. green ash Tree Native
Geum triflorum Pursh old man's whickers Forb Native
Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh American licorice Shrub Native
Linum lewisii Pursh Lewis flax Forb Native
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Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G. Don creeping barberry Shrub Native
Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum
feathery false lily of the valley
Forb Native
Medicago lupulina L. black medic Legume Introduced
Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth green needlegrass Graminoid Native
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Phleum pratense L. timothy Graminoid Introduced
Phlox hoodii Richerdson spiny phlox Forb Native
Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson ponderosa Pine Tree Native
Poa bulbosa L. bulbous bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Potentilla argentea L. silver cinquefoil Forb Native
Potentilla recta L. sulfur cinquefoil Forb Introduced
Prunus viginiana L. chokecherry Shrub Native
Pyrola asarifolia Michx. liverleaf wintergreen Forb Native
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl.
prairie coneflower Forb Native
Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac Shrub Native
Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir prickly current Shrub Native
Ribies cereum Douglas wax current Shrub Native
Rosa woodsii Lindl. Wood's rose Shrub Native
Sisyrinchium angustifolium Mill. narrowleaf blue-eyed grass Forb Native
Symphoricarpos occidentalis Hook. western snowberry Shrub Native
Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. dandelion Forb Weed
Thermopsis montana Nutt. mountain goldenbanner Legume Native
Toxicodendron rydbergii Small ex Rydb.) Greene
western poison-ivy Vine Native
Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Weed
Our third night's lodging found us
in beautiful downtown Broadus,
MT, county seat Power River
County. Our motel had the display
to the left at its entrance, containing
the horse, big sage, Indian
ricegrass, yucca, cactus and more.
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Day 3 – Thursday, June 23
Bright and early we have a hardy breakfast and head southeast from Broadus with our Thunder
Basin, WY destination. Soon after passing Alzada, MT and crossing the state line, that second cup
of coffee began to take its toll. Little did we know, however, that we were in historic territory: 125
years or so earlier our stop might have been much more exciting. Alzada was first settled as a
military telegraph relay station, and called Stoneville, after the second resident in town, local
bartender Lou Stone. In 1884 it was the site of a famous gun battle between local authorities and
rustlers known as the Exelby gang. Later its name was changed in to Alzada for Laura Alzada
Shelden. Now there is a story.
Laura was born in St. Lawrence County, NY. She grew to be six foot tall and was known for her
incredible strength. She married 6 feet 8 inch Ezekial Brown Shelden, had lots of tall kids, and
ended up with her family in Miles City, MT practicing medicine. With her strength, she became a
natural at setting broken bones, which she did throughout Eastern Montana, resulting in the honor
of having a town named for her.
Now, back to the short stop, and an even shorter inventory:
Inventory 8 - Hwy. 112 Wyoming
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Carex spp. L. sedge Graminoid Native
Filago vulgaris Lam. common cottonrose Forb Introduced
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson ponderosa Pine Tree Native
Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey muttongrass Graminoid Native
Quercus macrocarpa Michx. bur oak Tree Native
Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Z.-W. Liu & R.-C. Wang
tall wheatgrass Graminoid Native
As we crossed the border into
WY, and made our stop, to the left is the landscape and below a
common species Quercus macrocarpa , bur oak
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Inventory 9 - Devils Tower/Thunder Basin National Grasslands, WY
Our next inventory site took us south about 80 miles into Thunder Basin National Grasslands; in
Campbell, Weston and Converse Counties. But we were drawn from miles away like a magnet,
southeast into Crook County and the Devils Tower, another of Larry's Points of Interest.
The Devils tower is a gigantic stump-like formation rising some 1,200 feet above the Belle
Fourche River bottom. Over the years there have been changing theories concerning its origin. The
latest suggests that about 60 million years ago when the Rocky Mountains were formed, there was
an upheaval similar to that which produced the Black Hills and associated mountains. Great
masses of very hot lava welled up into the earth's crust. In some instances it reached the surface to
produce lava flows which spread layers of ash many feet thick over a vast part of the Great Plains. In the Devils Tower vicinity, this up surging substance spent its force before reaching the surface, then
cooling and becoming solid within the upper layers of the earth.
During subsequent tens of millions of years, erosion has stripped away the softer rock layers in which
this solid mass formed, leaving them standing as dominant landmarks.
The Thunder Basin Grasslands are mostly in MLRA 58B, while the Devils Tower is in MLRA 62
(Black Hills), supporting a climax vegetation of Ponderosa pine, Richardson needlegrass, poverty
oatgrass, and Canada wildrye.
Once at the Devils Tower we circled its mile long perimeter, identifying plants among hundreds of
tourists, many of which were taking more interest in our doings than in the Tower.
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Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Achillea millefolium L. common yarrow Forb Native
Achnatherum nelsonii (Scribn.) Barkworth ssp. dorei (Barkworth & Maze) Barkworth
Dore's needlegrass Graminoid Native
Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. crested wheatgrass Graminoid Introduced
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. annual ragweed Forb Introduced
Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem. Saskatoon serviceberry Shrub Native
Andropogon gerardii Vitman. big bluestem Graminoid Native
Andropogon hallii Hack. sand bluestem Graminoid Native
Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. small-leaf pussytoes Forb Native
Apocynum androsaemifolium L. spreading dogbane Forb Native
Arnica mollis Hook. hairy arnica Forb Native
Astragalus flexuosus Douglas ex G. Don flexile milkvetch Legume Native
Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt. arrowleaf balsamroot Forb Native
Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. sideoats grama Graminoid Native
Bromus inermis Leysis. smooth brome Graminoid Introduced
Bromus tectorum L. cheatgrass Graminoid Weed
Calamagrostis canadensis Michx.) P. Beauv. bluejoint Graminoid Native
Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. littlepod false flax Forb Native
Campanula rotundifolia L. bluebell bellflower Forb Native
Carex spp. L. sedge Graminoid Native
Carex filifolia Nutt. threadleaf sedge Graminoid Native
Cerastium arvense L. field Chickweed Forb Weed
Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. Wavyleaf thistle Forb Native
Collomia linearis Nutt. tiny trumpet Forb Native
17
Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. bastard toadflax Forb Weed
Cryptantha cinerea (Greene) Conquist James' cryptantha Forb Native
Delphinium bicolor Nutt. little larkspur Legume Native
Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton western tansymustard Forb Native
Dichanthelium oligosanthes (Schult.) Gould var. scribnerianum (Nash) Gould
Scribner's rosette grass Graminoid Native
Elymus repens (L.) Gould quackgrass Graminoid Weed
Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners slender wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Euphorbia esula L. leafy spurge Forb Weed
Festuca ovina L. sheep fescue Graminoid Native
Filago vulgaris Lam. common cottonrose Forb Introduced
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. green ash Tree Native
Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh American licorice Shrub Native
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal curlycup gumweed Forb Native
Heuchera richardsonii R. Br. Richardson's alumroot Forb Native
Juniperus communis L. common juniper Shrub Native
Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. Rocky Mountain juniper
Tree Native
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce Forb Weed
Leucopoa kingii (S. Watson) W.A. Weber spike fescue Graminoid Native
Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose cous biscuitroot Forb Native
Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G. Don creeping barberry Shrub Native
Medicago lupulina L. black medic Legume Introduced
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover Legume Introduced
Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth green needlegrass Graminoid Native
Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. large Indian breadroot Legume Native
18
Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz Threadleaf phacelia Forb Native
Phleum pratense L. timothy Graminoid Introduced
Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson ponderosa Pine Tree Native
Poa bulbosa L. bulbous bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey muttongrass Graminoid Native
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Poa secunda J. Presl Sandberg bluegrass Graminoid Native
Polygonum arenastrum Jord. ex Boreau oval-leaf knotweed Forb Introduced
Polypodium hesperium Maxon western polypody Fern Native
Populus tremuloides Michx. quaking aspen Tree Native
Potentilla recta L. sulfur cinquefoil Forb Introduced
Prunus viginiana L. chokecherry Shrub Native
Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve bluebunch wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Quercus macrocarpa Michx. bur oak Tree Native
Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac Shrub Native
Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir prickly current Shrub Native
Ribies cereum Douglas wax current Shrub Native
Rubus idaeus L. American red raspberry Vine Native
Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash little bluestem Graminoid Native
Solidago L. goldenrod Forb Native
Sporobolus cryptandrus A. Gray sand dropseed Graminoid Native
Symphyotrichum ascendens (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom western aster Forb Native
Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. dandelion Forb Weed
Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson
prairie thermopsis Legume Native
Thlaspi arvense L. field pennycress Forb Weed
Toxicodendron rydbergii Small ex Rydb.) Greene western poison-ivy Vine Native
Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Weed
Verbascum thapsus L. common mullein Forb Weed
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch Legume Native
Viola nuttallii Pursh Nuttall's violet Forb Native
Following this most delightful morning we selected a slightly different, and faster route back
north; our next inventory site for the day was 300 miles away in Glendive, MT.
Inventory 10 – Makoshika State Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks,
Glendive
Around the normal end of a working day (5:00 PM) we rolled into the State Park. It is hard to
understand why a 'badlands' is so delightful.
The name Makoshika (Ma-ko'-shi-ka) is a variant of a Lakota phrase meaning land of bad spirits or
"badlands". Although the area resembles the badlands of the Dakotas, these badlands expose older
rock layers. Makoshika is the largest state park in Montana, covering over 11,400 acres. This
beautiful and unique terrain provides for endless exploration and discovery.
19
Most of these strata are the brownish-gray sediments of the Hell Creek Formation dating back 65
million years ago when the Rocky Mountains were rising in the west. At that time, this area was
rivers and floodplains similar to the present southeastern United States, with sub-tropical climate
and vegetation. Rivers draining the western mountains deposited layer upon layer of sediments
which over millions of years compacted to form the sandstones, mudstones, clays, and shale's that
form the badlands landscape. The Park is in MLRA 58A, although the site is more reflective of
MLRA 54 (Rolling Soft Shale Plain) to the east.
The lateness of the hour only seemed to add to our enjoyment of this site. The diversity of plant
life, the beauty of the evening shadows and landscape was so overwhelming we enjoyed an on-site
toast.
Our only excitement was when Wendall went off to take pictures, with the car keys, leaving the
doors open. Someone suggested we open the bar, which was accessible only from the rear door,
which was locked. Attempts to open it triggered the alarm system, which resounded up and down
the canyons and into every camp site. Wendall could hear it, but he didn't respond. When he did
return, being the teetotaler that he is, suggested we should be more mature.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth
Indian ricegrass Graminoid Native
Alyssum desertorum Stapf desert madwort Graminoid Native
Andropogon hallii Hack. sand bluestem Graminoid Native
Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. small-leaf pussytoes Forb Native
Artemisia campestris L. field sagewort Shrub Native
Artemisia cana Pursh silver sagebrush Shrub Native
20
Aristida purpurea Nutt. purple threeawn Graminoid Native
Artemisia frigida Willd. prairie sagewort Shrub Native
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. white sagebrush Forb Native
Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. ground plum Legume Native
Astragalus flexuosus Douglas ex G. Don flexile milkvetch Legume Native
Astragalus gilviflorus Sheldon plains milkvetch Legume Native
Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths
blue grama Graminoid Native
Brassica L. mustard Forb Unknown
Bromus arvensis L. field brome Graminoid Weed
Bromus inermis Leysis. smooth brome Graminoid Introduced
Calamovilfa longifolia (Hook.) Scrinin. prairie sandreed Graminoid Native
Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & A. Gray sego lily Forb Native
Carex filifolia Nutt. threadleaf sedge Graminoid Native
Chondrilla juncea L. rush skeletonweed Forb Introduced
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Hook.) Nutt. yellow rabbitbrush Shrub Native
Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. Wavyleaf thistle Forb Native
Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. bastard toadflax Forb Weed
Echinacea angustifolia DC. purple coneflower Forb Native
21
Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould thickspike wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Erigeron pumilus Nutt. shaggy fleabane Forb Native
Eriogonum umbellatum Torr. sulfur-flowered buckwheat Forb Native
Erysimum capitatum (Douglas ex Hook.) Greene sanddune wallflower Forb Native
Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh scarlet beeblossom Forb Native
Geum triflorum Pursh old man's whickers Forb Native
Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby broom snakeweed Shrub Native Hackelia floribunda (Lehm.) I.M. Johnst. many-flowered stickseed Forb Native
Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth needle and thread Graminoid Native
Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners hairy false goldenaster Forb Native
Hordeum brachyantherum Nevski meadow barley Graminoid Native
Hordeum jubatum L. foxtail barley Graminoid Native
Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. Rocky Mountain juniper Tree Native
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
Lepidium densiflorum Schard. common pepperweed Forb Native
Liatris punctata Hook. dotted blazing star Forb Native
Lithospermum incisum Lehm. narrowleaf stoneseed Forb Native
Lomatium foeniculaceum (Nutt.) J.M. Coult. & Rose desert biscuitroot Forb Native
Lupinus argenteus Pursh silvery lupine Forb Native
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia (Kunth) Nees tansyleaf tansyaster Forb Native
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover Legume Introduced
Muhlenbergia cuspidata (Torr. ex Hook.) Rydb. plains muhly Graminoid Native
Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth green needlegrass Graminoid Native
Oenothera caespitosa Nutt. tufted evening primrose Forb Native
Onosmodium behariense Nutt. western marbleseed Forb Native
Oxytropis besseyi (Rydb.) Blank. Bessey's crazyweed Forb Native
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. large Indian breadroot Legume Native
Penstemon albidus Nutt. white penstemon Forb Native
22
Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson ponderosa Pine Tree Native
Plantago major L. common plantain Forb Introduced
Plantago patagonica Jacq. wooly plantain Forb Native
Poa secunda J. Presl Sandberg bluegrass Graminoid Native
Polygala alba Nett. white milkwort Forb Native
Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve bluebunch wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Psoralidium lanceolatum (Pursh) Rydb. lemon scurfpea Legume Native
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. prairie coneflower Forb Native
Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac Shrub Native
Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir prickly current Shrub Native
Rosa woodsii Lindl. Wood's rose Shrub Native
Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash little bluestem Graminoid Native
Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. scarlet globemallow Forb Native
Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. dandelion Forb Weed
Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Weed
23
Vicia americana Muhl.ex Willd. American vetch Legume Native
Vulpia octoflora (Walter) Rydb. six-weeks fescue Graminoid Introduced
Yucca glauca Nutt. soapweed yucca Shrub Native
Fortunately we had only a short trip to our night’s lodging, following a day of two outstanding
Points of Interest and inventories. Holzworth missed his calling.
24
God Bless the grass That grows through the crack They roll the concrete over it To try and keep it back The concrete gets tired Of what it has to do It breaks and it buckles And the grass grows through. Malvina Reynolds (1900-1978) from song God Bless the Grass
Day 4 – Friday, June 24
Early on the morning of June 24 we headed northwest for our
next inventory site at the Bowdoin National Wildlife Reserve,
near Malta, MT. However, en route we visited the Fort Peck
Dam, near Glasgow, MT, another Point of Interest. Nothing less
than volumes could even come close to fully describing the
magnitude of what occurred in Fort Peck, MT., between the
years 1933 and 1940.
The Fort Peck Dam was a major project of the Public Works Administration, part of the depression
era New Deal. It was the first dam built in the upper Missouri River basin. When President
Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the project in 1933, thousands of Depression-bled people from
all over the country migrated to Montana in hopes of earning a living. More than 7,000 men and
women signed on to work on the dam in 1934 and 1935. At its peak in July 1936 employed
reached 10,546 workers.
The dam, named for a 19th-century
trading post, was completed in 1940,
and began generating electricity in July
1943. The town of Fort Peck, Montana,
"the government town," was built for
Army Corps of Engineers personnel for
men in "positions of responsibility" and
their families during the dam's
construction. Many of the facilities that
supported the dam's workers are still
utilized today, such as the recreation
center and the theater. In addition to Fort
Peck, other towns sprang up to house the
workers.
During our brief stay Power Botanist Carlson noted a few plants near the spillway.
Inventory 11 - Fort Peck Spillway
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Artemisia tridenta Nutt. big sagebrush Shrub Native
Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. crested wheatgrass Graminoid Introduced
Artemisia frigida Willd. prairie sagewort Shrub Native
Astragalus bisulcatus (Hook.) A. Gray twogrooved milkvetch Legume Native
Bromus inermis Leysis. smooth brome Graminoid Introduced
Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth
needle and thread Graminoid Native
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
A part of the power generating complex.
25
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover Legume Introduced
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey muttongrass Graminoid Native
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
The Fort Peck Dam spillway is a marvel in its own right. It has 16 gates, located three miles east of the dam,
which shoots any overflow water down a 800-feet by mile long concrete channel. It was activated June 3,
2011 for the first time since 1997, as the reservoir continues to swell from record amounts of moisture that fell in Montana this year. It also was activated in 1975, 1976 and 1979.
Inventory 12 - Bowdoin National Wildlife Reserve, US Fish & Wildlife Service,
Malta, MT.
We reached the Wildlife Reserve
shortly after lunch. Bowdoin
National Wildlife Refuge was
established in 1936 as a migratory
bird refuge. It is located in the short
and mixed grass prairie region of
North-central Montana and
encompasses 15,551 acres. The
refuge lies about 7 miles northeast of
Malta in the Milk River Valley of
Phillips County.
Bowdoin's 8,325 acres of uplands
are comprised of five major habitat
types. The refuge's high percentage
of native mixed-grass prairie (6,689
acres) is a unique feature of the station. Other upland types include inland saline flats; shelterbelts,
shrub areas, and dense nesting cover (DNC). DNC is primarily made up of tame grasses and forbs
such as wheat grass, sweet clover and alfalfa and is planted on areas that were once farmed.
The size of the spillway gives some sense of the project size. On the left the water is entering the spillway,
on the right it is leaving.
26
Mixed-grass prairie has representatives of both tall-grass prairies and short-grass prairies. Here,
needle-and-thread grass, western wheatgrass and blue grama are dominant.
The Refuge's primary purpose is to
preserve and enhance resting, feeding, and
breeding habitat for migratory birds and
other wildlife. The refuge attracts
migrating waterfowl and shorebirds by the
thousands and provides breeding and
nesting habitat for ducks, geese, grassland
songbirds, and colonial nesting water
birds. The area is equally important to a
variety of resident wildlife, including
raptors, white-tailed deer, pronghorn
antelope, sharp-tailed grouse, and coyotes.
Many species of state and federal concern
can be seen at the refuge including bald
eagles, piping plovers and on occasion
peregrine falcons.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Achillea millefolium L. common yarrow Forb Native
Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. crested wheatgrass Graminoid Introduced
Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. textile onion Forb Native
Androsace occidentalis Pursh western rockjasmine Forb Native
Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. small-leaf pussytoes Forb Native
Artemisia cana Pursh silver sagebrush Shrub Native
Artemisia frigida Willd. prairie sagewort Shrub Native
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. white sagebrush Forb Native
Asclepias syriaca L. common milkweed Forb Introduced
Atriplex gardneri (Moq.) D. Dietr. Gardner's saltbush Shrub Native
Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths
blue grama Graminoid Native
Bromus arvensis L. field brome Graminoid Weed
Carex filifolia Nutt. threadleaf sedge Graminoid Native
Cerastium arvense L. field chickweed Forb Weed
Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. wavyleaf thistle Forb Native
Collomia linearis Nutt. tiny trumpet Forb Native
Conyza canadensis (L.) Conquest Canadian horseweed Forb Weed
Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton western tansymustard Forb Native
Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene saltgrass Graminoid Native
Elaeaganus angustifolia L. Russian olive Tree Weed
Elymus elymoides (raf.) Swezey squirreltail Graminoid Native
Erigeron pumilus Nutt. shaggy fleabane Forb Native
Escobaria vivipara (Nutt.) Buxbaum var. vivipara spinystar Forb Native
27
Filago vulgaris Lam. common cottonrose Forb Introduced
Galium boreale L. northern bedstraw Forb Native
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal curlycup gumweed Forb Native
Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby broom snakeweed Shrub Native
Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth needle and thread Graminoid Native
Hordeum jubatum L. foxtail barley Graminoid Native
Iva axillaris Pursh povertyweed Forb Native
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A. Meeuse & Smit
winterfat Shrub Native
Lepidium densiflorum Schard. common pepperweed Forb Native
Lomatium foeniculaceum (Nutt.) J.M. Coult. & Rose
desert biscuitroot Forb Native
Muhlenbergia montana (Nutt.) Hitchc. mountain muhly Graminoid Native
Onosmodium behariense Nutt. western marbleseed Forb Native
Opuntia polyacantha Haw. plains pricklypear Succulent Native
Orobanche fasciculata Nutt. clustered broomrape Forb Native
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. large Indian breadroot Legume Native
Penstemon albidus Nutt. white penstemon Forb Native
Phlox hoodii Richerdson spiny phlox Forb Native
Plantago patagonica Jacq. wooly plantain Forb Native
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Poa secunda J. Presl Sandberg bluegrass Graminoid Native
Potentilla argentea L. silver cinquefoil Forb Native
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. prairie coneflower Forb Native
Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. greasewood Shrub Native
Selaginella densa Rydb. lesser spikemoss Bryophyte Native
Sisymbrium altissimum L. tumble mustard Forb Weed
28
They tell us that plants are not like man immortal, but are perishable—soul-less. I think that is something that we know exactly nothing about. -John Muir (1838-1914), Journal, Autumn 1867
Sonchus oleraceus L. common sowthistle Forb Introduced
Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. scarlet globemallow Forb Native
Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. dandelion Forb Weed
Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Weed
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch Legume Native
Vulpia octoflora (Walter) Rydb. six-weeks fescue Graminoid Introduced
Leaving the Wildlife Refuge, we headed southwest about 60 miles to one section of the Charles M.
Russell National Wildlife Refuge, which straddles the Missouri River.
Inventory 13 - Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish & Wildlife
Service, Lewistown, MT.
This National Wildlife Refuge extends 125 miles along both sides of the Missouri River. Our
location was on the western end a few miles to the east of US Highway191, along the southern
border of Phillips County, and close to
where the Highway crosses the Missouri.
The upland site
we inventoried may be typical of MLRA
58A, i.e. the rolling high plains.
The Refuge includes native prairies,
forested coulees, river bottoms, and
badlands so often portrayed in the
29
paintings of Charlie Russell, the colorful western artist for whom the refuge is named. Since the
establishment of the refuge in 1936, livestock grazing has occurred on the Refuge. In 1986 the
Refuge reduced cattle grazing 33% from 66,000 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) to 40,000 AUMs.
In 2007, approximately 18,000 AUMs were grazed on the refuge.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin Achillea millefolium L. common yarrow Forb Native
Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth
Indian ricegrass Graminoid Native
Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. textile onion Forb Native
Alyssum desertorum Stapf desert madwort Graminoid Native
Artemisia frigida Willd. prairie sagewort Shrub Native
Artemisia tridentata Nutt. big sagebrush Shrub Native
Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyomingensis Beetle & Young
Wyoming big sagebrush
Shrub Native
Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyomingensis Beetle & Young
Wyoming big sagebrush
Shrub Native
Atriplex gardneri (Moq.) D. Dietr. Gardner's saltbush Shrub Native
Atriplex patula L. spear salt Forb Native
Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott burning bush Forb Weed
Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths
blue grama Graminoid Native
Bromus arvensis L. field brome Graminoid Weed
Bromus tectorum L. cheatgrass Graminoid Weed
Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & A. Gray sego lily Forb Native
Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. littlepod false flax Forb Native
Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. bastard toadflax Forb Weed
Elymus elymoides (raf.) Swezey squirreltail Graminoid Native
30
Eriogonum pauciflorum Pursh fewflowered buckwheat Forb Native
Escobaria vivipara (Nutt.) Buxbaum var. vivipara spinystar Forb Native
Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh scarlet beeblossom Forb Native
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal curlycup gumweed Forb Native
Helianthus annuus L. common sunflower Forb Native
Juniperus horizontalis Moench creeping juniper Shrub Native
Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. Rocky Mountain juniper Tree Native
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce Forb Weed
Lepidium densiflorum Schard. common pepperweed Forb Native
Lomatium foeniculaceum (Nutt.) J.M. Coult. & Rose
desert biscuitroot Forb Native
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover Legume Introduced
Muhlenbergia montana (Nutt.) Hitchc. mountain muhly Graminoid Native
Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth green needlegrass Graminoid Native
Opuntia polyacantha Haw. plains pricklypear Succulent Native
Orobanche fasciculata Nutt. clustered broomrape Forb Native
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. large Indian breadroot Legume Native
Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz. threadleaf phacelia Forb Native
Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson ponderosa Pine Tree Native
Plantago major L. common plantain Forb Introduced
Poa secunda J. Presl Sandberg bluegrass Graminoid Native
Polygonum aviculare L. prostrate knotweed Forb Introduced
31
Potentilla recta L. sulfur cinquefoil Forb Introduced
Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve bluebunch wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. prairie coneflower Forb Native
Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac Shrub Native
Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. greasewood Shrub Native
Senecio L. rag wort Forb Unknown
Solidago L. goldenrod Forb Native
Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. scarlet globemallow Forb Native
Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake common snowberry Shrub Native
Symphyotrichum ascendens (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom western aster Forb Native
laspi arvense L. field pennycress Forb Weed
Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Weed
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch Legume Native
Viola nuttallii Pursh Nuttall's violet Forb Native
32
As we departed the site our driver
dropped down to the Missouri River
(right) and headed up stream to
Route 191. A most interesting site
appeared high in a poplar tree off to
our left. It was two large birds,
believed to be buzzards, facing us
into the breeze, with wings fully
extended, which they held for many
seconds. Given their location, their
background and the time of day - it
was a most amazing site.
Once onto the highway we swiftly
covered the 75 miles to Lewistown
for a late dinner and nights rest. It
was not to be; young folk's baseball tournament in town consumed all available lodging. Swift
calls were made to the next town, Great Fall, only 105 miles away. After a pleasant dinner in
Lewistown, we were off.
33
Day 5 – Saturday June 25
Inventory 14 Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail, Great Falls, MT.
Any sojourn to Great Falls requires some allotment of time to be consumed in exploring the Lewis
and Clark expedition through the area. This included the Great Falls, then the Interpretive Center,
both outstanding Points of Interest.
The falls have changed, for better or worse, since The Corp of Discovery went this
way over a centure ago.
34
As fascinating as the Interpretive Trail was, its path down to the river served as a very good site for
Inventory 14. No doubt it received extra water and, although small, was well diversified with plant
life. A short walk along the river added a few more.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Alyssum desertorum Stapf desert madwort Graminoid Native
Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem. Saskatoon serviceberry Shrub Native
Apocynum androsaemifolium L. spreading dogbane Forb Native
Arctium lappa L. greater burdock Forb Weed
Arnica mollis Hook. hairy arnica Forb Native
Artemisia cana Pursh silver sagebrush Shrub Native
Artemisia frigida Willd. prairie sagewort Shrub Native
Asclepias speciosa Torr. showy milkweed Forb Native
Asclepias syriaca L. common milkweed Forb Introduced
Astragalus bisulcatus (Hook.) A. Gray twogrooved milkvetch Legume Native
Astragalus cicer L. chickpea milkvetch Legume Introduced
Brassica nigra (L.) W.D.J. Koch black mustard Forb Introduced
Bromus inermis Leysis. smooth brome Graminoid Introduced
Bromus tectorum L. cheatgrass Graminoid Weed
Carex spp. L. sedge Graminoid Native
Centaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek
spotted knapweed Forb Weed
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada thistle Forb Weed
Cirsium flodmanii (Rydb.) Arthur Flodman's thistle Forb Native
Salix exigua, coyote willow
35
Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt. Western white clematis Vine Native
Cornus sericea L. ssp. occidentalis (Torr. & A. Gray) Fosberg
western redosier dogwood Shrub Native
Crataegus douglasii Lindl. black hawthorn Shrub Native
Cynoglossum officinale L. gypsyflower Forb Weed
Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton western tansymustard Forb Native
Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould thickspike wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Elymus repens (L.) Gould quackgrass Graminoid Weed
Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L. Nesom & Baird ssp. nauseosa
rubber rabbitbrush Shrub Native
Euphorbia esula L. leafy spurge Forb Weed
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. green ash Tree Native
Galium boreale L. northern bedstraw Forb Native
Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh American licorice Shrub Native
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal curlycup gumweed Forb Native
Juniperus xfassettii B. Boivin [horizontalis × scopulorum]
Fassett juniper Shrub Native
36
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce Forb Weed
Leymus cinereus (Scribn. & Merr.) A. Löve basin wildrye Graminoid Native
Liatris punctata Hook. dotted blazing star Forb Native
Linum lewisii Pursh Lewis flax Forb Native
Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum
feathery false lily of the valley
Forb Native
Mertensia ciliata (James ex Torr.) G. Don Tall fringed bluebells Forb Native
Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth green needlegrass Graminoid Native
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Penstemon albidus Nutt. white penstemon Forb Native
Penstemon eriantherus Pursh fuzzytongue penstemon Forb Native
Phalaris arundinacea L. reed canarygrass Graminoid Introduced
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Populus balsamifera L. ssp. trichocarpa (Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook.) Brayshaw
black cottonwood Tree Native
Prunus viginiana L. chokecherry Shrub Native
Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski Russian wildrye Graminoid Introduced
Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac Shrub Native
Ribies cereum Douglas wax current Shrub Native
Rosa woodsii Lindl. Wood's rose Shrub Native
Rudbeckia hirta L. black-eyed susan Forb Native
Rumex crispus L. curly dock Forb Weed
Salix amygdaloides Andersson peachleaf willow Tree Native
Salix exigua Nutt. coyote willow Shrub Native
Shepherdia argentea (Pursh) Nutt. silver buffaloberry Shrub Native
Solanum dulcamara L. climbing nightshade Forb Introduced
Solidago L. goldenrod Forb Native
Sonchus asper L.) Hill spiny sowthistle Forb Weed
Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Weed
Toxicodendron rydbergii Small ex Rydb.) Greene western poison-ivy Vine Native
Verbascum thapsus L. common mullein Forb Weed
Wyethia helianthoides Nutt. sunflower mule-ears Forb Native
Yucca glauca Nutt. soapweed yucca Shrub Native
37
Grass is the forgiveness of nature - her constant benediction. Forests decay, harvests perish, flowers vanish, but grass is immortal. -Brian Ingalls
By late morning this was completed and we headed for another one of Larry's Points of Interest;
the Charles M. Russell Museum. Fred seemed to have a desire to take on the grizzly.
After lunch we were off to our next inventory 35 miles to the northwest.
Inventory 15 - Freezeout Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area
(WMA) has become one of the most
spectacular waterfowl viewing areas in
Montana, if not the entire northern Great
Plains. Snow geese, tundra swans, and other
migratory birds come to Freezeout Lake to
feed in the harvest fields of malting barley
that surround the WMA and to rest in the
ideal surroundings. The picture to the right
shows an example (copied from web page)
Freezeout Lake provides seasonal birding
opportunities that are typical of a shortgrass prairie marsh habitat. In early spring the WMA is
getting crowded with wildlife viewers and photographers coming too see the thousands of birds on
the many ponds. Snow geese numbers reach nearly 100,000 in late March or early April. The
objectives of the WMA are to provide, sustain and enhance habitat for waterfowl and upland game
bird production, and provide public hunting and viewing opportunities.
Freezeout Lake receives irrigation drainage water from the Sun River Project, west of the city of
Great Falls. The Sun River Project includes the Gibson and Willow Creek Dam and Reservoir,
Pishkun Dikes and Reservoir, Sun River Diversion Dam, Fort Shaw Diversion Dam, and nine
canal systems.
The project started in 1884, when a group of Helena
businessmen tried to dig the first canal from the North Fork of
38
the Sun River north toward the Freezeout bench. In 1907 the U.S. Reclamation Service (USRS)
met at Great Falls to open bids on the Sun River Project's first structure, the Willow Creek Dam. In
an embarrassing turn of events, no firm submitted a bid. However, during the next 23 years the
project was completed. Gibson's completion coincided with the arrival of the Depression, adding
another burden to irrigators. Ironically, Sun River was about to know its first successes.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. crested wheatgrass Graminoid Introduced
Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. textile onion Forb Native
Alopecurus pratensis L. meadow foxtail Graminoid Introduced
Alyssum desertorum Stapf desert madwort Graminoid Native
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. annual ragweed Forb Introduced
Artemisia frigida Willd. prairie sagewort Shrub Native
Atriplex ×odontoptera Rydb. (pro sp.) [canescens × gardneri]
fourwing Gardner hybrid saltbush
Shrub Native
Atriplex patula L. spear salt Forb Native
Bromus arvensis L. field brome Graminoid Weed
Bromus inermis Leysis. smooth brome Graminoid Introduced
Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. littlepod false flax Forb Native
Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. whitetop Forb Native
Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton western tansymustard Forb Native
Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene saltgrass Graminoid Native
Elymus repens (L.) Gould quackgrass Graminoid Weed
Galium boreale L. northern bedstraw Forb Native
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal curlycup gumweed Forb Native
Hordeum jubatum L. foxtail barley Graminoid Native
Iva axillaris Pursh povertyweed Forb Native
39
Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce Forb Weed Lepidium densiflorum Schard. common pepperweed Forb Native Lepidium perfoliatum L. clasping pepperweed Forb Native Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose cous biscuitroot Forb Native Medicago lupulina L. black medic Legume Introduced Medicago sativa L. alfalfa Legume Introduced
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Poa secunda J. Presl Sandberg bluegrass Graminoid Native
Polygonum aviculare L. prostrate knotweed Forb Introduced
Puccinellia distans distans (Jacq.) Parl. weeping alkaligrass Graminoid Native
Rumex crispus L. curly dock Forb Weed
Salicornia rubra A. Nelson red swampfire Forb Native
Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. greasewood Shrub Native
Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv. meadow fescue Graminoid Introduced
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (C.C. Gmel.) Palla
softstem bulrush Graminoid Native
Solidago L. goldenrod Forb Native
Sonchus arvensis L. field sowthistle Forb Introduced
Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. scarlet globemallow Forb Native
Suaeda calceoliformis (Hook.) Moq. Pursh seepweed Forb Native
Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. dandelion Forb Weed
Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Z.-W. Liu & R.-C. Wang
tall wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Thlaspi arvense L. field pennycress Forb Weed
40
ragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Weed Typha latifolia L. broadleaf cattail Forb Native Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch Legume Native
Thus completed, we returned to Great Falls for the night. Larry observed during dinner that the
highlight of the week had just occurred.
For years Curtis had resisted the notion that such a thing as Rocky Mountain Oysters even existed,
let alone the concept of eating one. It wasn't that they were any stranger to him, growing up on a
West Virginia farm where one learned early how to neuter boy calves and lambs. But the idea of
eating the product was just too gross. But there they were an appetizer on one of Great Falls
leading restaurants. Of course they were instantly ordered. Curtis' plan was to pretend to eat them
but drop them to the floor. Bad plan, Larry watched him like a hawk. Fortunately for Curtis they
were not served on the half shell, but thinly sliced, thickly breaded and deep fried; no visual
resemblance to the real thing and tasting like a French fry. But for Larry, victory was so sweet.
41
Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; Let fortune’s bubbles rise and fall; Who sows a field, or trains a flower, Or plants a tree, is more than all. John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892), A Song of Harvest
Day 6 – Sunday, June 26
Inventory 16 - Sun River, Gibson Dam, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Early on June 26 we headed west for Gibson Dam. Our driver earned his pay this day. All modes
of roads were utilized to reach our destination, which we did mid morning safe and sound. It was
our most western point, which was slightly to the east of the Great Wall.
Gibson Dam, the principal structure of the Sun River Project, is on the Sun River, 70 miles west of
Great Falls, Montana. It has a total capacity of 99,100 acre-feet. Outlet structures to the irrigation
project are two 72-inch diameter semi-steel-lined
conduits through the base of the dam. The
maximum capacity of the outlets is 3,050 feet per
second.
The reservoir releases water into the Sun River
for diversion downstream into the Pishkun Supply
Canal, or the Fort Shaw Canal. Nine canal systems cross the Project, totaling131 miles, with 562
miles of laterals, and 265 miles of drainage ditches.
Our inventory was on an undisturbed site just east of the canyon where Gibson Dam is located.
42
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin Achillea millefolium L. common yarrow Forb Native
Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.)
Barkworth
Indian ricegrass Graminoid Native
Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. crested wheatgrass Graminoid Introduced
Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. textile onion Forb Native
Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. small-leaf pussytoes Forb Native
Apocynum androsaemifolium L. spreading dogbane Forb Native
Artemisia frigida Willd. prairie sagewort Shrub Native
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. white sagebrush Forb Native
Astragalus drummondii Douglas ex Hook. Drummond's milkvetch Legume Native
Astragalus flexuosus Douglas ex G. Don flexile milkvetch Legume Native
Astragalus gilviflorus Sheldon plains milkvetch Legume Native
Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt. arrowleaf balsamroot Forb Native
Carex filifolia Nutt. threadleaf sedge Graminoid Native
Centaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gugler)
Hayek
spotted knapweed Forb Weed
Cerastium arvense L. field Chickweed Forb Weed
Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. Wavyleaf thistle Forb Native
Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. bastard toadflax Forb Weed
Corallorhiza striata Lindl. hooded coralroot Forb Native
Dalea purpurea Vent. purple prairieclover Legume Native
Daucus carota L. Queen Anne's Lace Forb Native
43
Echinacea angustifolia DC. purple coneflower Forb Native
Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould thickspike wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Eriogonum ovalifolium Nutt. cushion buckwheat Forb Native
Festuca campestris Rydb. rough fescue Graminoid Native
Festuca ovina L. sheep fescue Graminoid Native
Gaillardia aristata Pursh common gaillardia Forb Native
Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh scarlet beeblossom Forb Native
Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby broom snakeweed Shrub Native
Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth needle and thread Graminoid Native
Hymenoxys richardsonii (Hook.) Cockerell pinque rubberweed Forb Native
Iris missouriensis Nutt. Rocky Mountain iris Forb Native
Juniperus horizontalis Moench creeping juniper Shrub Native
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
Lepidium densiflorum Schard. common pepperweed Forb Native
Liatris punctata Hook. dotted blazing star Forb Native
Linum lewisii Pursh Lewis flax Forb Native
Lithospermum incisum Lehm. narrowleaf stoneseed Forb Native
Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose cous biscuitroot Forb Native
Lupinus argenteus Pursh silvery lupine Forb Native
Machaeranthera grindelioides (Nutt.) Shinners rayless tansyaster Forb Native
44
Medicago lupulina L. black medic Legume Introduced
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover Legume Introduced
Muhlenbergia montana (Nutt.) Hitchc. mountain muhly Graminoid Native
Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth green needlegrass Graminoid Native
Oxytropis sericea Nutt. white locoweed Forb Native
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Penstemon eriantherus Pursh fuzzytongue penstemon Forb Native
Phalaris arundinacea L. reed canarygrass Graminoid Introduced
Phlox hoodii Richerdson spiny phlox Forb Native
Pinus flexilis James limber pine Tree Native
Poa compressa L. Canada bluegrass Graminoid Native
Potentilla argentea L. silver cinquefoil Forb Native
Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve bluebunch wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco Douglas-fir Tree Native
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. prairie coneflower Forb Native
Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac Shrub Native
Ribes aureum Pursh golden current Shrub Native
Rosa woodsii Lindl. Wood's rose Shrub Native
Senecio L. rag wort Forb Introduced
Solidago L. goldenrod Forb Native
Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake common snowberry Shrub Native
Symphyotrichon Nees aster Forb Native
Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Weed
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch Legume Native
Zigadenus venenosus S. Watson meadow deathcamas Forb Native
45
Following our inventory we traveled to Augusta, MT, which was in
the throws of a rodeo. Fortunately, we had lunch and got out of town
before they closed the road.
Inventory 17 - Beartooth Wildlife Management Area, Montana Fish Wildlife
and Parks, at Holter Dam, PPL Montana Power, MT
Holter Dam is a hydroelectric plant along the Missouri operated by PPL Montana, and surrounded
by the WMA. It is a popular site for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, hiking and
camping, including the Beartooth Landing Campground, a boat-in-only site. Numerous
campgrounds dot the river above and below the dam.
This site is in Lewis and Clark County, on the border between MLRA 43 and 44, i.e. on a line
between the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Northern Rocky Mountain Valleys. Our location
was to the south end of the lake, and high above it: A most beautiful site for our final inventory.
Scientific Name Common Name Type Origin
Achillea millefolium L. common yarrow Forb Native
Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.)
Barkworth
Indian ricegrass Graminoid Native
Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. crested wheatgrass Graminoid Introduced
Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence. -Hal Borland (1900-1978
46
Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem. Saskatoon serviceberry Shrub Native
Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. small-leaf pussytoes Forb Native
Apocynum androsaemifolium L. spreading dogbane Forb Native
Arnica sororia Greene twin arnica Forb Native
Artemisia campestris L. field sagewort Shrub Native
Artemisia frigida Willd. prairie sagewort Shrub Native
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. white sagebrush Forb Native
Asclepias verticillata L. whorled milkweed Forb Native
Astragalus australis (L.) Lam. Indian milkvetch Legume Native
Astragalus bisulcatus (Hook.) A. Gray twogrooved milkvetch Legume Native
Astragalus gilviflorus Sheldon plains milkvetch Legume Native
Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex
Griffiths
blue grama Graminoid Native
47
Brassica L. mustard Forb Introduced
Bromus tectorum L. cheatgrass Graminoid Weed
Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. littlepod false flax Forb Native
Carex filifolia Nutt. threadleaf sedge Graminoid Native
Chaenactis douglasii (Hook.) Hook. & Arn. Douglas' dustymaiden Forb Native
Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. Wavyleaf thistle Forb Native
Collomia linearis Nutt. tiny trumpet Forb Native
Crataegus douglasii Lindl. black hawthorn Shrub Native
Crepis acuminata Nutt. tapertip hawksbeard Forb Native
Cryptantha celosioides (Eastw.) Payson butte candle Forb Native
Dalea purpurea Vent. purple prairieclover Legume Native
Daucus carota L. Queen Anne's Lace Forb Native
Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton western tansymustard Forb Native
Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould thickspike wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L. Nesom
& Baird ssp. nauseosa
rubber rabbitbrush Shrub Native
Eriogonum ovalifolium Nutt. cushion buckwheat Forb Native
Eriogonum pauciflorum Pursh fewflowered
buckwheat
Forb Native
Festuca campestris Rydb. rough fescue Graminoid Native
Filago vulgaris Lam. common cottonrose Forb Introduced
Gaillardia aristata Pursh common gaillardia Forb Native
Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh scarlet beeblossom Forb Native
48
Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal curlycup gumweed Forb Native
Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby broom snakeweed Shrub Native
Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth needle and thread Graminoid Native
Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners hairy false goldenaster Forb Native
Hymenoxys richardsonii (Hook.) Cockerell pinque rubberweed Forb Native
Juniperus communis L. common juniper Shrub Native
Juniperus xfassettii B. Boivin [horizontalis ×
scopulorum]
Fassett juniper Shrub Native
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie junegrass Graminoid Native
Lepidium campestre (L.) W.T. Aiton field pepperweed Forb Introduced
Lesquerella ludoviciana (Nutt.) S. Watson foothill bladderpod Forb Native
Liatris punctata Hook. dotted blazing star Forb Native
Linum lewisii Pursh Lewis flax Forb Native
Lomatium dissectum (Nutt.) Mathias & Constance fernleaf biscuitroot Forb Native
Lupinus argenteus Pursh silvery lupine Forb Native
Medicago lupulina L. black medic Legume Introduced
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover Legume Introduced
Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth green needlegrass Graminoid Native
Oenothera caespitosa Nutt. tufted evening
primrose
Forb Native
Opuntia polyacantha Haw. plains pricklypear Succulent Native
Oxytropis sericea Nutt. white locoweed Forb Native
Packera cana (Hook.) W.A. Weber & A. Löve wooly groundsel Forb Native
Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Pediomelum argophyllum (Pursh) J. Grimes silverleaf Indian
breadroot
Legume Native
Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. large Indian breadroot Legume Native
Eriogonum ovalifolium, cushion buckwheat Oenothera caespitosa, tufted evening primrose
49
Penstemon eriantherus Pursh fuzzytongue penstemon Forb Native
Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz. threadleaf phacelia Forb Native
Phleum pratense L. timothy Graminoid Introduced
Phlox hoodii Richerdson spiny phlox Forb Native
Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson ponderosa Pine Tree Native
Plantago patagonica Jacq. wooly plantain Forb Native
Poa bulbosa L. bulbous bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass Graminoid Introduced
Poa secunda J. Presl Sandberg bluegrass Graminoid Native
Potentilla glandulosa Lindl. sticky cinquefoil Forb Native
Potentilla pensylvanica L. Pennsylvania cinquefoil Shrub Native
Potentilla recta L. sulfur cinquefoil Forb Introduced
Prunus viginiana L. chokecherry Shrub Native
Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve bluebunch wheatgrass Graminoid Native
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco Douglas-fir Tree Native
Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. prairie coneflower Forb Native
Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac Shrub Native
Ribes aureum Pursh golden current Shrub Native
Rosa woodsii Lindl. Wood's rose Shrub Native
Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. scarlet globemallow Forb Native
Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake common snowberry Shrub Native
Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify Forb Weed
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch Legume Native
50
The End
From the Beartooth WMA site we headed for Bozeman, our
starting point. Larry, always the most gracious host, invited us to
his home for a farewell pizza dinner. Following a discussion on
report preparation and next year's location, we departed, already
anxious for the 2012 spring visit to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of the Southwest.
Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence. -Hal Borland (1900-1978