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Rydberg's Parsley - Musineon vaginatum
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
DRAFT: Requesting feedback on the 2026 revised rank, factors, and State Rank Reason outlined below and in the Conservation Status Rank Report.
Musineon vaginatum is a regional endemic of Montana and Wyoming. Most locations are on rocky, limestone or calcareous soils in the Pryor Mtns, Bighorn Mtns in WY and perhaps MT and the Bridger Mtns. In western Montana near Missoula and the northern Bitterroot Valley it is more associated with Douglas-fir forests. The species' habitat appears to largely be intact and in good condition. No significant threats are known or documented. However, some locations may be susceptible to negative impacts from various activities or localized threats. Shifts in climate may negatively impact the species. The species' conservation status is imprecisely known, and it may be vulnerable within the state. Additional data are needed to be able to better evaluate the species' status.
Surveys are needed at most occurrences to document population sizes and extent, habitat quality and potential threats. Monitoring of a subset of populations is needed to be able to evaluate potential trends in stat
General Description
Caulescent. Stems prostrate to ascending. 15–30 cm. Herbage glabrous. Leaves alternate; blades ovate in outline, subtripinnate; ultimate segments linear to oblong, 3–25 mm long. Umbels: peduncles 5–25 long, longer than the leaves; rays 5–40 mm long; involucel bracts 2–3 mm long. Flowers yellow or white. Mericarps 3–5 mm long, glabrous or scaberulous; oil tubes 1 to 4 per interval (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Regional endemic of south-central Montana and north-central Wyoming. Reports from northern Utah (Mathias and Constance 1944) are thought to be based on misidentified specimens.
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 81
(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
Stony, usually calcareous soil or talus in open, often Douglas-fir forest, woodlands; valleys to subalpine (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
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?
Jones, W. W. 1901. Preliminary flora of Gallatin County. M.S. Thesis. Bozeman, MT: Montana State College. 78 pp.- 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.
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