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Annual Muhly - Muhlenbergia minutissima
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State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Muhlenbergia minutissima is known from 7 locations observed from 1895 to 2015 in central and western Montana. It is also reported to occur in northeast Montana, but specimens have not been located (Peterson in FNA 2003). A 1941 occurrence near Belgrade has been searched for in recent decades, but not re-located (Matt Lavin personal communication). Plants can occupy disturbed areas, yet populations may not be persisting. Surveys that bring forth current data on locations, populations sizes, habitat requirements, or threats is needed.
Details on Status Ranking and Review
Range Extent
Score E - 5,000-20,000 sq km (~2,000-8,000 sq mi)
Comment 14,797 square kilometers
Area of Occupancy
Score D - 6-25 4-km2 grid cells
Comment Plant occurs in 7 of the 30,590 4x4 square-kilometer grid cells that cover Montana.
Number of Populations
Score B - 6 - 20
Comment 7 occurrences
Environmental Specificity
Score C - Moderate. Generalist or community with some key requirements scarce
Threats
Score D - Low
General Description
Annual bunchgrass. Stems 5–39 cm. Leaves: blades 1–2 mm wide; ligule about 1 mm long. Inflorescence an open panicle 5–15 cm long. Spikelets 1–1.5 mm long. Lemmas unawned to awn-tipped, callus hairs few to absent (Lavin in
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX ).
Phenology
Collected July and August.
Diagnostic Characteristics
This is our only annual Muhlenbergia with an open, spreading inflorescence. It could be confused with species of Panicum and Agrostis . A technical key and a hand lens or microscope are needed for positive determination.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Collected in Gallatin County; sporadic throughout western U.S. (Lavin in Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX ).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 9
(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 soil along rivers and streams in the valleys.
Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
References
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