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MONTANA FIELD GUIDE™

MONTANA FIELD GUIDE™

 

Bitterroot Draba - Draba daviesiae
Other Names:  Draba apiculata var. daviesiae

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Species of Concern
Native Species

Global Rank: G3
State Rank: S3
(see State Rank Reason below)
CCVI: Highly Vulnerable
C-value:


Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS: Sensitive - Known in Forests (BD, BRT)
BLM:


 





State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Draba daviesiae is endemic to Montana. Worldwide, this species is found at about 12 sites, primarily in the Bitterroot Mountain Range in Ravalli County, and in outlying places in the Flint Creek Range and East Pioneer Mountains. Population counts are both old and poorly documented but appear to be at least 3,000 plants. Population trends are unknown, but presumed to be relatively stable or experiencing only minor declines as the species' alpine habitat is remote and largely intact. Threats to the species appear to be limited, though shifts in climate patterns may negatively impact the species.

Surveys that bring forth current data on population parameters, habitat conditions, mapping, and potential threats are greatly needed. Monitoring at a subset of occurrences is necessary to assess population trends, including potential impacts from reported tampling and other recreational activities on St. Mary's Peak.
Bitterroot Draba (Draba daviesiae) Conservation Status Summary
State Rank: S3
Review Date = 02/17/2026
See the complete Conservation Status Rank Report
How we calculate Conservation Status Ranks
CC BY NC
 
General Description
Mat-forming perennial; the caudex clothed in old leaf bases. Stems simple, 1–5 cm. Basal leaves oblong, 2–5 mm long, entire. Stem leaves lacking. Vestiture of simple leaf cilia; otherwise glabrous. Petals yellow, 3–5 mm long. Fruit ascending, 4–6 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, glabrous; style 0.3–0.5 mm long; lower pedicels 3–6 mm long (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).We do not yet have descriptive information on this species.  Please try the buttons above to search for information from other sources.

Phenology
Flowering in July and August, mature fruit in late July and August.

Species Range
Montana Range Range Descriptions
Range in Montana
Montana Natural Heritage Program Logo
Native
 


Range Comments
Montana endemic, restricted to Bitterroot Mountains in Ravalli County.

Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 28
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)



Habitat
Rocky slopes and talus near or above timberline.
Predicted Suitable Habitat Model

This species has a Predicted Suitable Habitat Model available.

To learn how these Models were created see here

National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Alpine
Alpine - Sparse and Barren
Alpine Bedrock and Scree


Threats or Limiting Factors
Trampling from recreational activities has been reported for the occurrence on St. Mary's Peak in Ravalli County. Monitoring is needed to assess this threat and its impact.

Climate change poses a potential risk to the state's populations. The MTNHP conducted a species-level assessment using the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) in 2021, which resulted in a Highly Vulnerable rating to climate change. Climate change including increased ambient temperatures, decreased snowpacks, and increased frequencies and severities of drought could have negative impacts on this species; however, field-based data on the timing and magnitude are not available.

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.
    • MTNHP Threat Assessment. 2021. State Threat Score Assignment and Assessment of Reported Threats from 2006 to 2021 for State-listed Vascular Plants. Botany Program, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana.
  • Additional ReferencesLegend:   View Online Publication
    Do you know of a citation we're missing?
    • Lackschewitz, K. 1986. Plants of west-central Montana, identification and ecology: annotated checklist. General Technical Report INT-217. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, Utah. 128 pp.
    • Lackschewitz, K. 1991. Vascular plants of west-central Montana--identification guidebook. U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 648 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.
    • Rollins, R. C. 1984. Studies in the Cruciferae of western North America II. Contributions Gray Herbarium 214:1-18.
    • Rollins, R. C. 1993. The Cruciferae of Continental North America: systematics of the mustard family from the Arctic to Panama. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. 976 pp.
  • Web Search Engines for Articles on "Bitterroot Draba"
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Citation for data on this website:
Bitterroot Draba — Draba daviesiae.  MONTANA FIELD GUIDE™.  .  Retrieved on , from