View in other NatureServe Network Field Guides
NatureServe
Montana
Utah
Wyoming
Idaho
Wisconsin
British Columbia
South Carolina
Yukon
California
New York
Alpine Poppy - Papaver radicatum ssp. kluanensis
Other Names:
Papaver kluanense, Papaver kluenensis, Papaver coloradense, Oreomecon coloradensis
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
See rank details.
- Details on Status Ranking and Review
Population Size
Score2-3 - Very Small to Small: Population size is imprecisely known but is believed to be <10,000 individuals.
CommentPopulation levels are poorly documented, though appear to be relatively small based upon available collection data.
Range Extent
Score1 - Peripheral, Disjunct or Sporadic Distribution in MT: Widespread species that is peripheral, disjunct or sporadically distributed within MT such that it occurs in <5% of the state (<7,500 sq. miles or the combined area of Beaverhead and Ravalli Counties) or is restricted to 4-5 sub-basins.
Area of Occupancy
Score3 - Very Low: Generally occurring in 3 or fewer Subwatersheds (6th Code HUC’s).
Environmental Specificity
Score1-2 - Moderate to High.
CommentAlpine species whose habitat does not appear to be highly restricted, but may need specific geologic or edaphic conditions of limited distribution.
Trends
Score0-2 - Stable to Moderate Declines:
CommentPopulation trends are unknown, though habitat appears to be stable. Decreases in snowpack may lead to downward trends.
Threats
Score0-1 - Low to Medium.
CommentHabitat is generally remote, eliminating most potential threats.
Intrinsic Vulnerability
Score1 - Moderate Vulnerability: Specific biological attributes, unusual life history characteristics or limited reproductive potential makes the species susceptible to extirpation from stochastic events or other adverse impacts to its habitat and slow to recover.
Raw Conservation Status Score
Score
8 to 13 total points scored out of a possible 19.
General Description
Cespitose, taprooted perennial with white-hirsute foliage. Stems absent. Leaves all basal, the blades lanceolate, 1–3 cm long with 2 to 4 pairs of toothed lobes. Flowers solitary on peduncles to 12 cm long; petals yellow, 5–10 mm long. Fruit a brown-strigose, oblong capsule, to 12 mm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Phenology
Flowering in August.
Diagnostic Characteristics
This is the only alpine poppy in southern Montana.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Circumpolar, sporadically south to NM; known from Carbon and Sweet Grass counties (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 4
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Open, rocky slopes with delayed snowmelt in the alpine zone.
National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Alpine
Alpine - Sparse and Barren
Alpine - Vegetated
Wetland and Riparian
Alpine Riparian and Wetland
Stewardship Responsibility
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?
Lesica, P. 1983. Noteworthy Collections - Montana. Madrono 30: 196.- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
- Love, D. 1969. Papaver at high altitudes in the Rocky Mountains. Brittonia 21:1-10.
- Nunlist, E.A. 2020. Grizzly bears and humans at two moth aggregation sites in Wyoming. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University. 110 p.
- Web Search Engines for Articles on "Alpine Poppy"
