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Crosby's Buckwheat - Eriogonum crosbyae
Other Names:
Eriogonum capistratum var. muhlickii, Eriogonum chrysops [misapplied]
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State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Rare to Uncommon. This entity is restricted to high elevation sites in the Bitterroot Range and in the Anaconda-Pintlers, where it may be locally common in some areas. Good population data are lacking for most occurrences, though it's long-term viability does not appear to be a major concern at this time due, in part, to the remoteness of its habitat.
Details on Status Ranking and Review
Population Size
Score 2 - Small: Generally 2,000-10,000 individuals.
Comment Estimated as population levels from specimen collections are largely unknown.
Range Extent
Score 2 - Regional or State Endemic or Small Montana Range: Generally restricted to an area <100,000 sq. miles (equivalent to 2/3 the size of Montana or less) or Montana contributes 50% or more of the species’ range or populations OR limited to 2-3 Sub-basins in Montana.
Area of Occupancy
Score 2 - Low: Generally occurring in 4-10 Subwatersheds (6th Code HUC’s).
Environmental Specificity
Score 1 - Moderate: Species is restricted to a specific habitat that is more widely distributed or to several restricted habitats and is typically dependent upon relatively unaltered, good-quality habitat (C Values of 5-7).
Trends
Score NA - Rank factor not assessed.
Comment Trends unknown, though populations are likely stable or experiencing only minor declines.
Threats
Score 0-1 - Low to Medium.
Intrinsic Vulnerability
Score 1 - 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 9 total points scored out of a possible 16 (Rarity factors and threats only).
General Description
Cushion-forming perennial from a woody, branched caudex. Flowering stems erect, 1–10 cm, covered in old leaf bases. Leaves all basal, the blades oblanceolate to spatulate, tomentose, 5–10 mm long. Inflorescence capitate; bracts scale-like; involucre lobes 5 to 7, erect to spreading, tomentose, 2–4 mm long. Flowers 2–4 mm long, yellow to red, campanulate; tepals glabrous, basally punctate, similar in shape; stamens exserted. Achenes 2–4 mm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX ).
Diagnostic Characteristics
The name Eriogonum crosbyae , as used here is equivalent to the broad concept used in the Flora of North America and not to the older, more strict concept still used by NatureServe.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
OR, ID, MT and NV (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX ).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 25
(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
Talus slopes, cliffs and rocky ridges in the subalpine to alpine zones.
Ecology
POLLINATORS The following animal species have been reported as pollinators of this plant species or its genus where their geographic ranges overlap:
Bombus bifarius ,
Bombus centralis ,
Bombus flavifrons ,
Bombus huntii ,
Bombus melanopygus ,
Bombus mixtus ,
Bombus ternarius ,
Bombus occidentalis ,
Bombus insularis , and
Bombus flavidus (Thorp et al. 1983, Koch et al. 2012, Williams et al. 2014).
Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
References
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