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Fleshy Stitchwort - Stellaria crassifolia
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Rare in Montana where it is known from a few sparsely distributed locations that are mostly poorly documented.
- 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 size unknown, though likely to be in the very small to small range based upon the limited data available.
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.
Trends
ScoreNA - Rank factor not assessed.
CommentTrends are unknown.
Threats
Score2 - High: 31-70% of the populations are being negatively impacted or are likely to be impacted by one or more activities or agents, which are expected to result in decreased populations and/or habitat quality and/or quantity.
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
10-12 total points scored out of a possible 16 (Rarity factors and threats only).
General Description
Fleshy Stichwort is a glabrous perennial herb with numerous, often matted, ascending to nearly prostrate stems that are 5-15 cm long and arising from slender roots. The opposite, narrowly lance-shaped leaves are 5-10 mm long, lack petioles, and have entire margins. Solitary flowers are borne on long spreading stalks in the upper leaf axils. The 5 separate, lance-shaped sepals are 2-3 mm long and have membranous margins. The 5 white, deeply bilobed petals are slightly longer. The fruit is a narrowly egg-shaped capsule that is 1-2 mm longer than the sepals at maturity.
Phenology
Flowering in August, mature fruit in August-September.
Diagnostic Characteristics
The more common S. longipes has stiff leaves and sepals greater than 3 mm long. Stellaria calycantha and S. umbellata have petals, if present, that are shorter than the sepals. A hand lens will likely be needed for identification.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Circumboreal, south in western North America to MT, ID, and CO. Sparse.
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 16
(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
Moist or wet meadows, often along streams, in the foothills to alpine zones.
Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
Threat impact not assigned because threats are not known (MTNHP Threat Assessment 2021).
References
- Additional ReferencesLegend:
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Clark, D. 1991. The effect of fire on Yellowstone ecosystem seed banks. M.Sc. Thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman. 115 pp.- Culver, D.R. 1994. Floristic analysis of the Centennial Region, Montana. M.Sc. Thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman. 199 pp.
- Jones, W. W. 1901. Preliminary flora of Gallatin County. M.S. Thesis. Bozeman, MT: Montana State College. 78 pp.
- Lesica, P. 1993. Vegetation and flora of the Line Creek Plateau area, Carbon County, Montana. Unpublished report to USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana. 30 pp.
- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
- 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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