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Letterman's Needlegrass - Stipa lettermanii
Other Names:
Achnatherum lettermanii
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Documented from several locations in the southern portion of the state. However, population levels, site characteristics and related information needed to determine the species' status are lacking.
General Description
Perennial bunchgrass. Stems 30–60 cm. Leaves: blade 0.5–2 mm wide, essentially hairless at throat region; ligule 3–4 mm long. Inflorescence a contracted panicle 10–15 cm long. Spikelets 7–9 mm long. Lemmas with dense appressed hairs, awn 1–2 cm long
(Lavin in Lesica 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Phenology
Fruiting in late June-July.
Species Range
Montana Range
Year-round
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 26
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Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Open understory at middle to high elevations (Lesica et al. 2012).
References
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Aho, Ken Andrew. 2006. Alpine and Cliff Ecosystems in the North-Central Rocky Mountains. Ph.D. Dissertation. Bozeman, Montana: Montana State University. 343 p.
Cope, M.G. 1992. Distribution, habitat selection and survival of transplanted Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) in the Tobacco Valley, Montana. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, Montana: Montana State University. 60 p.
Fogelsong, M.L. 1974. Effects of fluorides on Peromyscus maniculatus in Glacier National Park. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, Montana: Montana State University. 52 p.
Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
Martin, S.A. 1985. Ecology of the Rock Creek bighorn sheep herd, Beartooth Mountains, Montana. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University. 152 p.
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