For the Love of Grass IV
Jack Carlson, Larry Holzworth, Wendall Oaks, Bob MacLauchlan, Fred Gaffney and
Curtis Sharp
May, 2011
For the Love of Grass – IV
Power Botanizing in the Northern Great Plains of Montana and Wyoming
Our fourth “For the Love of Grass” trek, in June 2011, included all previous participants. Route organizer Larry Holzworth, plus Jack Carlson, Fred Gaffney and Wendall Oaks represented the core of Power Botanists. Bob MacLaughlan and Curtis Sharp provided consistency (they have yet to miss one), some botanical help, and class.
Our rendezvous was in Bozeman, MT on June 20. Larry had identified 10 grasslands to be inventoried, but the number grew to 13, plus a few unscheduled ones. Five additional Point of Interest stops were made, including the Bridger Plant Materials Center, The Little Big Horn Battlefield and Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Charles M. Russell museum in Great Falls. It was an outstanding and busy agenda.
Our inventory mission at each scheduled site was the same as on previous treks; identify every plant within a ‘reasonable’ area, consisting of one to several acres, and leave only when satisfied that this has been accomplished. Miles to travel and darkness were our primary enemies. Unscheduled inventories included whatever could be recorded before the vehicle moved on.
During the six days of inventorying we traveled 1965 miles, solved most of the world’s problems, correctly or incorrectly identified about 720 plants, and scheduled the 2012 trek. Of the 720 plants identified 37% occurred only once, 22% twice, 13% three times and 4 through 13 times 28%. Two plants occurred 10 times each; Koeleria macranth, prairie junegrass and Tragopogon dubius, yellow salsify. The most frequently occurring plant was Pascopyrum smithii, western wheatgrass, which was present in 13 of the 17 inventories. The four sites where it did not occur were the four smallest in terms on land area surveyed.
We departed Bozeman on June 21st, traveling east on I-90. After 75 miles we took a break at the I-90 Graycliff Rest Stop. As the doors swung open two headed for the bathroom and the rest for the surrounding vegetation. The priority was clear, power botanizing first, personal comfort second.
Combining the time together with old friends, the outdoor beauty of Montana and Wyoming, the historic sites visited and our mutual love of plants will mark the 2011 “For the Love of Grass” a wonderful trek.
June 21
Inventory 1 – Graycliff Rest Stop, I-90.
Our first unscheduled inventory was a great warm up. It was no larger than a quarter-acre and took less than a quarter hour to complete. It is on the line of Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) 46 (Northern Rocky Mountain Foothills) and 58A (Northern Rolling High Plains). Both MLRAs support grassland vegetation, including bluebunch and western wheatgrasses. Plant recorder Jack Carlson listed the following species.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Brassica nigra (L.) Koch L. | black mustard | Forb | Weed |
| Bromus inermis Leysis. | smooth brome | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Bromus tectorum L. | cheatgrass | Graminoid | Weed |
| Centaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek | spotted knapweed | Forb | Weed |
| Cerastium arvense L. | field Chickweed | Forb | Weed |
| Collomia linearis Nutt. | tiny trumpet | Forb | Native |
| Cynoglossum officinale L. | gypsyflower | Forb | Weed |
| Dactylis glomerata L. | orchardgrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Elymus repens (L.) Gould | quackgrass | Graminoid | Weed |
| Galium boreale L. | northern bedstraw | Forb | Native |
| Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. | Rocky Mountain juniper | Tree | Native |
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden | lodgepole pine | Tree | Native |
| Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson | ponderosa Pine | Tree | Native |
| Plantago major L. | common plantain | Forb | Introduced |
| Poa pratensis L. | Kentucky bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Prunus viginiana L. | chokecherry | Shrub | Native |
| Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve | bluebunch wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir | prickly current | Shrub | Native |
| Ribies cereum Douglas | wax current | Shrub | Native |
Inventory 2 – Rte 421 County Line
A car full of Power Botanists driving through Montana is like kids in a candy store. As we traveled towards the Bridger PMC on state route 421 we were obligated to stop for roadwork. “What’s that yellow flowered job there in the field?” In a flash the pilot car beckoned us on but not before a couple pictures and five plants were recorded. The yellow flowered job was Arnica mollis, hairy arnica. The site was near the county line between Sweetgrass and Stillwater. It wasn’t as romantic as the names implied.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Alyssum desertorum Stapf | desert madwort | Forb | Native |
| Arnica mollis Hook. | hairy arnica | Forb | Native |
| Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. | littlepod false flax | Forb | Native |
| Hackelia floribunda (Lehm.) I.M. Johnst. | many-flowered stickseed | Forb | Native |
| Thlaspi arvense L. | field pennycress | Forb | Weed |
Bridger Plant Materials Center, including Inventory Site 3.
This was our first Point of Interest site. First we had lunch in town with the PMC staff, including Joseph Scianna, Roger Hybner, Susan Winslow and retired employees John Scheetz and Jean Hobson.
Following a lunch we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon reviewing the PMC. Bridger has been a national leader in developing widely tested cultivars that prove their merit by becoming high demand and high volume releases. Since its establishment in 1959 this PMC has maintained a high level of production and an innovative approach to doing business. For example, two trees for use in Great Plains shelterbelts were released as germplasm. One of them was the first truly successful germplasm releases, and represented the intent of this approach for plants requiring decades to release as a tested cultivar. Their new plants have paid high dividends for soil and water conservation in the Northern Great Plains, and for the commercial grower who produce them. From the looks of things it will continue on that path.
The following are some of the plants identified on the PMC:
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. | crested wheatgrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Agrostis scabra Willd. | rough bentgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Artemisia tridentata Nutt. | big sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. | ground plum | Legume | Native |
| Astragalus drummondii Douglas ex Hook. | Drummond’s milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Astragalus flexuosus Douglas ex G. Don | flexile milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) J.T. Columbus | buffalograss | Graminoid | Native |
| Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths | blue grama | Graminoid | Native |
| Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould | thickspike wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L. Nesom & Baird ssp. nauseosa | rubber rabbitbrush | Shrub | Native |
| Festuca ovina L. | sheep fescue | Graminoid | Native |
| Gaillardia aristata Pursh | common gaillardia | Forb | Native |
| Helianthus pauciflorus Nutt. | stiff sunflower | Forb | Native |
| Juncus arcticus Willd. ssp. littoralis (Engelm.) Hultén | mountain rush | Graminoid | Native |
| Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. | Rocky Mountain juniper | Tree | Native |
| Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A. Meeuse & Smit | winterfat | Shrub | Native |
| Leymus cinereus (Scribn. & Merr.) A. Löve | basin wildrye | Graminoid | Native |
| Penstemon eriantherus Pursh | fuzzytongue penstemon | Forb | Native |
| Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden | lodgepole pine | Tree | Native |
| Pinus flexilis James | limber pine | Tree | Native |
| Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson | ponderosa Pine | Tree | Native |
| Poa compressa L. | Canada bluegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Poa secunda J. Presl | Sandberg bluegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski | Russian wildrye | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC. | antelope bitterbrush | Shrub | Native |
| Quercus macrocarpa Michx. | bur oak | Tree | Native |
| Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. | prairie coneflower | Forb | Native |
| Rosa woodsii Lindl. | Wood’s rose | Shrub | Native |
| Thermopsis montana Nutt. | mnt. goldenbanner | Legume | Native |
| Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson | prairie thermopsis | Legume | Native |
| Vitus riparia Michl | riverbank grape | Vine | Native |
June 22
Inventory 4 – The Rehberg Yellowstone Soil Conservation District Living Snow Fence.
Following our over night in Billings, we needed to pick up our last trekker, Wendall Oaks, at the airport around 10:00AM. Of course Larry would not permit us just hanging out at the airport, so we visited a near by, cooperatively established living snow fence, established in 1989. This was one of several demonstrational snow fences that were established around the state. Like Inventory 1 this site is on the line of MLRA 46 and 58A.
The original project had several objectives, including an evaluation of establishment methods.
For more details see Tillage for Weed Control in Windbreaks and Shelterbelts. Logar, R. and J. Scianna. 2005. Montana NRCS, Bozeman, MT, Bozeman, MT. Forestry TN No. MT-24. 3p. on the Bridger PMC web site.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Agropyron fragile (Roth) P. Candargy | Siberian wheatgrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyomingensis Beetle & Young | Wyoming big sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Bromus inermis Leysis. | smooth brome | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Bromus tectorum L. | cheatgrass | Graminoid | Weed |
| Caragana arborescens Lam. | Siberian peashrub | Shrub | Introduced |
| Chorispora tenella (Pall.) DC. | crossflower | Forb | Introduced |
| Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. | Canada thistle | Forb | Weed |
| Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton | western tansymustard | Forb | Native |
| Festuca ovina L. | sheep fescue | Graminoid | Native |
| Filago vulgaris Lam. | common cottonrose | Forb | Introduced |
| Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. | Rocky Mountain juniper | Tree | Native |
| Lactuca serriola L. | prickly lettuce | Forb | Weed |
| Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose | cous biscuitroot | Forb | Native |
| Medicago lupulina L. | black medic | Legume | Introduced |
| Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. | yellow sweetclover | Legume | Introduced |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Picea glauca (Moench) Voss | white spruce | Tree | Native |
| Poa pratensis L. | Kentucky bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Polygonum arenastrum Jord. ex Boreau | oval-leaf knotweed | Forb | Introduced |
| Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey | intermediate wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
Around 9:45, as we were enjoying our snow fence discussion, a frantic phone call from Wendall, advising us he was there. We were all pleased to see him, who had volunteered to be the designated driver for the remainder of the trek, which delighted our host Larry. A quick departure followed and in short order we were headed for the Battle of the Little Bighorn site.
Inventory 5 – I-90 Mile Marker 491
Regardless how good our Power Botanist are, Wendall exceeded even the speed at which they could identify that bluish blur on the road bank. Bob and Curtis said they were pretty good at 80 MPH and above, but Wendall wheeled us to a stop. It was near mile post 491, on I-90 in Big Horn County, near the Crow Indian Reservation. A few pictures were quickly taken and four plants identified. The blue blur was Astragalus missouriensis, Missouri milkvetch.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Astragalus missouriensis Nutt. | Missouri milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Erodium L’Hér. ex Aiton | stork’s bill | Forb | |
| Penstemon eriantherus Pursh | fuzzytongue penstemon | Forb | Native |
| Stanleya pinnata (Pursh) Britton | desert princesplume | Forb | Native |
Inventory 6 – The Battle of the Little Big Horn Battlefield.
We reached the Battle of the Little Bighorn museum, Point of Interest 2, shortly after lunch. From there, remaining on the battle field, we conducted our first scheduled inventory, about 4 miles south of the museum. Along the way to it grave stones appear at the spot where a soldier fell.
The inventory site was quite, serene and beautiful. It was near the point where units commanded by Major Marcus Reno and Captain Frederick Benteen reunited on June 25, 1876, after Reno’s retreat from their battle at the Indian village. Here they developed a strong defensive position on high ground. They held out here until reinforcements led by General Gibbon arrived on the June 27. On seeing the arrival of fresh troops, the Sioux withdrew. Gibbon then went north the 3 miles to where Custer had been fighting. He was overcome by what he found. Realizing Custer’s unit no longer existed the remnant of the Seventh Cavalry retreated to the mouth of the Little Big Horn, where a steamer was waiting.
This was a typical Northern Rocky Mountain Foothills site, also in MLRA 58A. In 1976 land cover in Powder River County was 84% rangeland, 10% woodland, and 5% cropland. Irregularly sloping and hilly terrain at higher elevations in the county are made up of silty loams to clay loams. Soils are medium textured and generally shallow. About 65 species were identified over the several acres that were surveyed.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Achillea millefolium L. | common yarrow | Forb | Native |
| Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. | textile onion | Forb | Native |
| Alyssum desertorum Stapf | desert madwort | Graminoid | Native |
| Antennaria neglecta Greene | field pussytoes | Forb | Native |
| Arnica mollis Hook. | hairy arnica | Forb | Native |
| Artemisia campestris L. | field sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia frigida Willd. | prairie sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia tridentata Nutt. | big sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Asclepias speciosa Torr. | showy milkweed | Forb | Native |
| Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. | ground plum | Legume | Native |
| Astragalus drummondii | Drummond’s milkvetch | Legune | Native |
| Astragalus gilviflorus Sheldon | plains milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Atriplex patula L. | spear salt | Forb | Native |
| Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. | sideoats grama | Graminoid | Native |
| Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths | blue grama | Graminoid | Native |
| Brassica L. | pale yellow mustard | Forb | Weed |
| Bromus arvensis L. | field brome | Graminoid | Weed |
| Bromus tectorum L. | cheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & A. Gray | sego lily | Forb | Native |
Carex filifolia Nutt. | threadleaf sedge | Graminoid | Weed | ||||
| Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. | bastard toadflax | Forb | Native | ||||
| Crepis acuminata Nutt. | tapertip hawksbeard | Forb | Native | ||||
| Echinacea angustifolia DC. | purple coneflower | Forb | Native | ||||
| Erigeron L. | feabane | Forb | Native | ||||
| Eriogonum flavum Nutt. | alpine golden buckwheat | Forb | Native | ||||
| Festuca idahoensis Elmer | Idaho fescue | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Filago vulgaris Lam. | common cottonrose | Forb | Introduced | ||||
| Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh | scarlet beeblossom | Forb | Native | ||||
| Geum triflorum Pursh | old man’s whickers | Forb | Native | ||||
| Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal | curlycup gumweed | Forb | Native | ||||
| Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby | broom snakeweed | Shrub | Native | ||||
| Helianthus annuus L. | common sunflower | Forb | Native | ||||
| Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth | needle and thread | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. | Rocky Mountain juniper | Tree | Native | ||||
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A. Meeuse & Smit | winterfat | Shrub | Weed | ||||
| Lactuca serriola L. | prickly lettuce | Forb | Native | ||||
| Linum lewisii Pursh | Lewis flax | Forb | Native | ||||
| Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose | cous biscuitroot | Forb | Native | ||||
| Lupinus argenteus Pursh | silvery lupine | Forb | Introduced | ||||
| Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. | yellow sweetclover | Legume | Native | ||||
| Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth | green needlegrass | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Oenothera caespitosa Nutt. | tufted evening primrose | Forb | Native | ||||
| Opuntia polyacantha Haw. | plains pricklypear | Succulent | Native | ||||
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Pediomelum argophyllum (Pursh) J. Grimes | silverleaf Indian breadroot | Legume | Native | ||||
| Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. | large Indian breadroot | Legume | Native | ||||
| Penstemon albidus Nutt. | white penstemon | Forb | Native | ||||
| Penstemon eriantherus Pursh | fuzzytongue penstemon | Forb | Native | ||||
| Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz. | threadleaf phacelia | Forb | Native | ||||
| Phlox hoodii Richerdson | spiny phlox | Forb | Introduced | ||||
| Poa bulbosa L. | bulbous bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced | ||||
| Poa pratensis L. | Kentucky bluegrass | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Poa secunda J. Presl | Sandberg bluegrass | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Prunus viginiana L. | chokecherry | Shrub | Native | ||||
| Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve | bluebunch wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Psoralidium lanceolatum (Pursh) Rydb. | lemon scurfpea | Legume | Native | ||||
| Rhus trilobata Nutt. | skunkbush sumac | Shrub | Native | ||||
| Rosa woodsii Lindl. | Wood’s rose | Shrub | Native | ||||
| Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. | greasewood | Shrub | |||||
| Senecio L. | rag wort | Forb | Weed | ||||
| Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. | dandelion | Forb | Native | ||||
| Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson | prairie thermopsis | Legume | Weed | ||||
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Native | ||||
| Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. | American vetch | Legume | Native | ||||
| Yucca glauca Nutt. | soapweed yucca | Shrub | |||||
As the afternoon drifted away, we took leave of this most solemn place, which the Lakota Indians called the “Battle of Greasy Grass”, and headed east, leaving the Crow Indian Reservation and entering the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The Northern Cheyenne were allies of the Lakota in the Black Hills War of 1876–77. This is their flag.
Inventory 7 – Camp Pass, Custer National Forest
This site is also in MLRA 58A, near the Rose Bud and Powder River County line. It is along US Route 212 to the east of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and approximately 20 miles west of Broadus, MT. The Custer National Forest is the most diverse and widespread forest of the whole National Forest Service System. It has three Ranger Districts. Our location was in the Ashland District, which offers a variety of topography, varying from rolling grasslands and forested areas, to steep rock outcrops. Vegetation varies from prairie to dense stands of ponderosa pine. Our site was near the top of a ridge, along an abandoned road running into a forested area.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Achillea millefolium L. | common yarrow | Forb | Native |
| Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. | crested wheatgrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Agrostis stolonifera L. | creeping bentgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. | textile onion | Forb | Native |
| Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem. | Saskatoon serviceberry | Shrub | Native |
| Antennaria neglecta Greene | field pussytoes | Forb | Native |
| Apocynum androsaemifolium L. | spreading dogbane | Forb | Native |
| Arnica cordifolia Hook. | heartleaf arnica | Forb | Native |
| Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. | white sagebrush | Forb | Native |
| Avenula hookerI (Scribin.) Holub | spikeoat | Graminoid | Native |
| Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt. | arrowleaf balsamroot | Forb | Native |
| Bromus marginatus Nees ex Steud. | mountain brome | Graminoid | Native |
| Calamagrostis rubescens Buckley | pinegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Cerastium arvense L. | field Chickweed | Forb | Weed |
| Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. | Wavyleaf thistle | Forb | Native |
| Collomia linearis Nutt. | tiny trumpet | Forb | Native |
| Fragaria virginiana Duchesne | Virginia strawberry | Forb | Native |
| Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. | green ash | Tree | Native |
| Geum triflorum Pursh | old man’s whickers | Forb | Native |
| Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh | American licorice | Shrub | Native |
| Linum lewisii Pursh | Lewis flax | Forb | Native |
| Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G. Don | creeping barberry | Shrub | Native |
| Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum | feathery false lily of the valley | Forb | Native |
| Medicago lupulina L. | black medic | Legume | Introduced |
| Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth | green needlegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Phleum pratense L. | timothy | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Phlox hoodii Richerdson | spiny phlox | Forb | Native |
| Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson | ponderosa Pine | Tree | Native |
| Poa bulbosa L. | bulbous bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Potentilla argentea L. | silver cinquefoil | Forb | Native |
| Potentilla recta L. | sulfur cinquefoil | Forb | Introduced |
| Prunus viginiana L. | chokecherry | Shrub | Native |
| Pyrola asarifolia Michx. | liverleaf wintergreen | Forb | Native |
| Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. | prairie coneflower | Forb | Native |
| Rhus trilobata Nutt. | skunkbush sumac | Shrub | Native |
| Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir | prickly current | Shrub | Native |
| Ribies cereum Douglas | wax current | Shrub | Native |
| Rosa woodsii Lindl. | Wood’s rose | Shrub | Native |
| Sisyrinchium angustifolium Mill. | narrowleaf blue-eyed grass | Forb | Native |
| Symphoricarpos occidentalis Hook. | western snowberry | Shrub | Native |
| Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. | dandelion | Forb | Weed |
| Thermopsis montana Nutt. | mountain goldenbanner | Legume | Native |
| Toxicodendron rydbergii Small ex Rydb.) Greene | western poison-ivy | Vine | Native |
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Weed |
Our third night’s lodging found us in beautiful downtown Broadus, MT, county seat Power River County. Our motel had the display to the left at its entrance, containing the horse, big sage, Indian ricegrass, yucca, cactus and more.
June 23
Bright and early we have a hardy breakfast and head southeast from Broadus with our Thunder Basin, WY destination. Soon after passing Alzada, MT and crossing the state line, that second cup of coffee began to take its toll. Little did we know, however, that we were in historic territory: 125 years or so earlier our stop might have been much more exciting. Alzada was first settled as a military telegraph relay station, and called Stoneville, after the second resident in town, local bartender Lou Stone. In 1884 it was the site of a famous gun battle between local authorities and rustlers known as the Exelby gang. Later its name was changed in to Alzada for Laura Alzada Shelden. Now there is a story.
Laura was born in St. Lawrence County, NY. She grew to be six foot tall and was known for her incredible strength. She married 6 feet 8 inch Ezekial Brown Shelden, had lots of tall kids, and ended up with her family in Miles City, MT practicing medicine. With her strength, she became a natural at setting broken bones, which she did throughout Eastern Montana, resulting in the honor of having a town named for her.
Now, back to the short stop, and even shorter inventory:
Inventory 8 – Hwy. 112 Wyoming
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Carex spp. L. | sedge | Graminoid | Native |
| Filago vulgaris Lam. | common cottonrose | Forb | Introduced |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson | ponderosa Pine | Tree | Native |
| Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey | muttongrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Quercus macrocarpa Michx. | bur oak | Tree | Native |
| Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Z.-W. Liu & R.-C. Wang | tall wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
Inventory 9 – Devils Tower/Thunder Basin National Grasslands/, WY
Our next inventory site took us south about 80 miles into Thunder Basin National Grasslands; in Campbell, Weston and Converse Counties. But we were drawn from miles away like a magnet, southeast into Crook County and the Devils Tower, another of Larry’s Points of Interest.
The Devils tower is a gigantic stump-like formation rising some 1,200 feet above the Belle Fourche River bottom. Over the years there have been changing theories concerning its origin. The latest suggests that about 60 million years ago when the Rocky Mountains were formed, there was an upheaval similar to that which produced the Black Hills and associated mountains. Great masses of very hot lava welled up into the earth’s crust. In some instances it reached the surface to produce lava flows which spread layers of ash many feet thick over a vast part of the Great Plains. In the Devils Tower vicinity, this up surging substance spent its force before reaching the surface, then cooling and becoming solid within the upper layers of the earth.
During subsequent tens of millions of years, erosion has stripped away the softer rock layers in which this solid mass formed, leaving them standing as dominant landmarks.
The Thunder Basin Grasslands are mostly in MLRA 58B, while the Devils Tower is in MLRA 62 (Black Hills), supporting a climax vegetation of Ponderosa pine, Richardson needlegrass, poverty oatgrass, and Canada wildrye.
Once at the Devils Tower we circled its mile long perimeter, identifying plants among hundreds of tourists, many of which were taking more interest in our doings than in the Tower.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin | |
| Achillea millefolium L. | common yarrow | Forb | Native | |
| Achnatherum nelsonii (Scribn.) Barkworth ssp. dorei (Barkworth & Maze) Barkworth | Dore’s needlegrass | Graminoid | Native | |
| Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. | crested wheatgrass | Graminoid | Introduced | |
| Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. | annual ragweed | Forb | Introduced | |
| Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem. | Saskatoon serviceberry | Shrub | Native | |
| Andropogon gerardii Vitman. | big bluestem | Graminoid | Native | |
| Andropogon hallii Hack. | sand bluestem | Graminoid | Native | |
| Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. | small-leaf pussytoes | Forb | Native | |
| Apocynum androsaemifolium L. | spreading dogbane | Forb | Native | |
| Arnica mollis Hook. | hairy arnica | Forb | Native | |
| Astragalus flexuosus Douglas ex G. Don | flexile milkvetch | Legume | Native | |
| Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt. | arrowleaf balsamroot | Forb | Native | |
| Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. | sideoats grama | Graminoid | Native | |
| Bromus inermis Leysis. | smooth brome | Graminoid | Introduced | |
| Bromus tectorum L. | cheatgrass | Graminoid | Weed | |
| Calamagrostis canadensis Michx.) P. Beauv. | bluejoint | Graminoid | Native | |
| Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. | littlepod false flax | Forb | Native | |
| Campanula rotundifolia L. | bluebell bellflower | Forb | Native | |
| Carex spp. L. | sedge | Graminoid | Native | |
| Carex filifolia Nutt. | threadleaf sedge | Graminoid | Native | |
| Cerastium arvense L. | field Chickweed | Forb | Weed | |
| Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. | Wavyleaf thistle | Forb | Native | |
| Collomia linearis Nutt. | tiny trumpet | Forb | Native | |
| Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. | bastard toadflax | Forb | Weed | |
| Cryptantha cinerea (Greene) Conquist | James’ cryptantha | Forb | Native | |
| Delphinium bicolor Nutt. | little larkspur | Legume | Native | |
| Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton | western tansymustard | Forb | Native | |
| Dichanthelium oligosanthes (Schult.) Gould var. scribnerianum (Nash) Gould | Scribner’s rosette grass | Graminoid | Native | |
| Elymus repens (L.) Gould | quackgrass | Graminoid | Weed | |
| Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners | slender wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native | |
| Euphorbia esula L. | leafy spurge | Forb | Weed | |
| Festuca ovina L. | sheep fescue | Graminoid | Native | |
| Filago vulgaris Lam. | common cottonrose | Forb | Introduced | |
| Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. | green ash | Tree | Native |
| Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh | American licorice | Shrub | Native |
| Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal | curlycup gumweed | Forb | Native |
| Heuchera richardsonii R. Br. | Richardson’s alumroot | Forb | Native |
| Juniperus communis L. | common juniper | Shrub | Native |
| Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. | Rocky Mountain juniper | Tree | Native |
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Lactuca serriola L. | prickly lettuce | Forb | Weed |
| Leucopoa kingii (S. Watson) W.A. Weber | spike fescue | Graminoid | Native |
| Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose | cous biscuitroot | Forb | Native |
| Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G. Don | creeping barberry | Shrub | Native |
| Medicago lupulina L. | black medic | Legume | Introduced |
| Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. | yellow sweetclover | Legume | Introduced |
| Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth | green needlegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. | large Indian breadroot | Legume | Native |
| Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz | Threadleaf phacelia | Forb | Native |
| Phleum pratense L. | timothy | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson | ponderosa Pine | Tree | Native |
| Poa bulbosa L. | bulbous bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey | muttongrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Poa pratensis L. | Kentucky bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Poa secunda J. Presl | Sandberg bluegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Polygonum arenastrum Jord. ex Boreau | oval-leaf knotweed | Forb | Introduced |
| Polypodium hesperium Maxon | western polypody | Fern | Native |
| Populus tremuloides Michx. | quaking aspen | Tree | Native |
| Potentilla recta L. | sulfur cinquefoil | Forb | Introduced |
| Prunus viginiana L. | chokecherry | Shrub | Native |
| Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve | bluebunch wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Quercus macrocarpa Michx. | bur oak | Tree | Native |
| Rhus trilobata Nutt. | skunkbush sumac | Shrub | Native |
| Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir | prickly current | Shrub | Native |
| Ribies cereum Douglas | wax current | Shrub | Native |
| Rubus idaeus L. | American red raspberry | Vine | Native |
| Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash | little bluestem | Graminoid | Native |
| Solidago L. | goldenrod | Forb | Native |
| Sporobolus cryptandrus A. Gray | sand dropseed | Graminoid | Native |
| Symphyotrichum ascendens (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom | western aster | Forb | Native |
| Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. | dandelion | Forb | Weed |
| Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson | prairie thermopsis | Legume | Native |
| Thlaspi arvense L. | field pennycress | Forb | Weed |
| Toxicodendron rydbergii Small ex Rydb.) Greene | western poison-ivy | Vine | Native |
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Weed |
| Verbascum thapsus L. | common mullein | Forb | Weed |
| Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. | American vetch | Legume | Native |
| Viola nuttallii Pursh | Nuttall’s violet | Forb | Native |
Following this most delightful morning we selected a slightly different, and faster route back north; our next inventory site for the day was 300 miles away in Glendive, MT.
Inventory 10 – Makoshiks State Park, MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Glendive. (June 23)
Around the normal end of a working day (5:00 PM) we rolled into the State Park. It is hard to understand why a ‘badlands’ is so delightful.
The name Makoshika (Ma-ko’-shi-ka) is a variant of a Lakota phrase meaning land of bad spirits or “badlands”. Although the area resembles the badlands of the Dakotas, these badlands expose older rock layers. Makoshika is the largest state park in Montana, covering over 11,400 acres. This beautiful and unique terrain provides for endless exploration and discovery.
Most of these strata are the brownish-gray sediments of the Hell Creek Formation dating back 65 million years ago when the Rocky Mountains were rising in the west. At that time, this area was rivers and floodplains similar to the present southeastern United States, with sub-tropical climate and vegetation. Rivers draining the western mountains deposited layer upon layer of sediments which over millions of years compacted to form the sandstones, mudstones, clays, and shale’s that form the badlands landscape. The Park is in MLRA 58A, although the site is more reflective of MLRA 54 (Rolling Soft Shale Plain) to the east.
The lateness of the hour only seemed to add to our enjoyment of this site. The diversity of plant life, the beauty of the evening shadows and landscape was so overwhelming we enjoyed an on-site toast.
Our only excitement was when Wendall went off to take pictures, with the car keys, leaving the doors open. Someone suggested we open the bar, which was accessible only from the rear door, which was locked. Attempts to open it triggered the alarm system, which resounded up and down the canyons and into every camp site. Wendall could hear it, but he didn’t respond. When he did return, being the teetotaler that he is, suggested we should be more mature.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth | Indian ricegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Alyssum desertorum Stapf | desert madwort | Graminoid | Native |
| Andropogon hallii Hack. | sand bluestem | Graminoid | Native |
| Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. | small-leaf pussytoes | Forb | Native |
| Artemisia campestris L. | field sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia cana Pursh | silver sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Aristida purpurea Nutt. | purple threeawn | Graminoid | Native |
| Artemisia frigida Willd. | prairie sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. | white sagebrush | Forb | Native |
| Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. | ground plum | Legume | Native |
| Astragalus flexuosus Douglas ex G. Don | flexile milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Astragalus gilviflorus Sheldon | plains milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths | blue grama | Graminoid | Native |
| Brassica L. | mustard | Forb | Unknown |
| Bromus arvensis L. | field brome | Graminoid | Weed |
| Bromus inermis Leysis. | smooth brome | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Calamovilfa longifolia (Hook.) Scrinin. | prairie sandreed | Graminoid | Native |
| Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & A. Gray | sego lily | Forb | Native |
| Carex filifolia Nutt. | threadleaf sedge | Graminoid | Native |
| Chondrilla juncea L. | rush skeletonweed | Forb | Introduced |
| Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Hook.) Nutt. | yellow rabbitbrush | Shrub | Native |
| Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. | Wavyleaf thistle | Forb | Native |
| Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. | bastard toadflax | Forb | Weed |
| Echinacea angustifolia DC. | purple coneflower | Forb | Native |
| Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould | thickspike wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Erigeron pumilus Nutt. | shaggy fleabane | Forb | Native |
| Eriogonum umbellatum Torr. | sulfur-flowered buckwheat | Forb | Native |
| Erysimum capitatum (Douglas ex Hook.) Greene | sanddune wallflower | Forb | Native |
| Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh | scarlet beeblossom | Forb | Native |
| Geum triflorum Pursh | old man’s whickers | Forb | Native |
| Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby | broom snakeweed | Shrub | Native |
| Hackelia floribunda (Lehm.) I.M. Johnst. | many-flowered stickseed | Forb | Native |
| Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth | needle and thread | Graminoid | Native |
| Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners | hairy false goldenaster | Forb | Native |
| Hordeum brachyantherum Nevski | meadow barley | Graminoid | Native |
| Hordeum jubatum L. | foxtail barley | Graminoid | Native |
| Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. | Rocky Mountain juniper | Tree | Native |
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Lepidium densiflorum Schard. | common pepperweed | Forb | Native |
| Liatris punctata Hook. | dotted blazing star | Forb | Native |
| Lithospermum incisum Lehm. | narrowleaf stoneseed | Forb | Native |
| Lomatium foeniculaceum (Nutt.) J.M. Coult. & Rose | desert biscuitroot | Forb | Native |
| Lupinus argenteus Pursh | silvery lupine | Forb | Native |
| Machaeranthera tanacetifolia (Kunth) Nees | tansyleaf tansyaster | Forb | Native |
| Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. | yellow sweetclover | Legume | Introduced |
| Muhlenbergia cuspidata (Torr. ex Hook.) Rydb. | plains muhly | Graminoid | Native |
| Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth | green needlegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Oenothera caespitosa Nutt. | tufted evening primrose | Forb | Native |
| Onosmodium behariense Nutt. | western marbleseed | Forb | Native |
| Oxytropis besseyi (Rydb.) Blank. | Bessey’s crazyweed | Forb | Native |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. | large Indian breadroot | Legume | Native |
| Penstemon albidus Nutt. | white penstemon | Forb | Native |
| Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson | ponderosa Pine | Tree | Native |
| Plantago major L. | common plantain | Forb | Introduced |
| Plantago patagonica Jacq. | wooly plantain | Forb | Native |
| Poa secunda J. Presl | Sandberg bluegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Polygala alba Nett. | white milkwort | Forb | Native |
| Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve | bluebunch wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Psoralidium lanceolatum (Pursh) Rydb. | lemon scurfpea | Legume | Native |
| Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. | prairie coneflower | Forb | Native |
| Rhus trilobata Nutt. | skunkbush sumac | Shrub | Native |
| Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir | prickly current | Shrub | Native |
| Rosa woodsii Lindl. | Wood’s rose | Shrub | Native |
| Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash | little bluestem | Graminoid | Native |
| Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. | scarlet globemallow | Forb | Native |
| Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. | dandelion | Forb | Weed |
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Weed |
| Vicia americana Muhl.ex Willd. | American vetch | Legume | Native |
| Vulpia octoflora (Walter) Rydb. | six-weeks fescue | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Yucca glauca Nutt. | soapweed yucca | Shrub | Native |
Fortunately we had only a short trip to our nights lodging, following a day of two outstanding Points of Interest and inventories. Holzworth missed his calling.
June 24
Early on the morning of June 24 we headed northwest for our next inventory site at the Bowdoin National Wildlife Reserve, near Malta, MT. However, en route we visited the Fort Peck Dam, near Glasgow, MT, another Point of Interest. Nothing less than volumes could even come close to fully describing the magnitude of what occurred in Fort Peck, MT., between the years 1933 and 1940.
The Fort Peck Dam was a major project of the Public Works Administration, part of the depression era New Deal. It was the first dam built in the upper Missouri River basin. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the project in 1933, thousands of Depression-bled people from all over the country migrated to Montana in hopes of earning a living. More than 7,000 men and women signed on to work on the dam in 1934 and 1935. At its peak in July 1936 employed reached 10,546 workers.
The dam, named for a 19th-century trading post, was completed in 1940, and began generating electricity in July 1943. The town of Fort Peck, Montana, “the government town,” was built for Army Corps of Engineers personnel for men in “positions of responsibility” and their families during the dam’s construction. Many of the facilities that supported the dam’s workers are still utilized today, such as the recreation center and the theater. In addition to Fort Peck, other towns sprang up to house the workers.
During our brief stay Power Botanist Carlson noted a few plants near the spill way.
Inventory 11 – Fort Peck Spillway
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Artemisia tridenta Nutt. | big sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. | crested wheatgrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Artemisia frigida Willd. | prairie sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Astragalus bisulcatus (Hook.) A. Gray | twogrooved milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Bromus inermis Leysis. | smooth brome | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth | needle and thread | Graminoid | Native |
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. | yellow sweetclover | Legume | Introduced |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey | muttongrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Poa pratensis L. | Kentucky bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
The Fort Peck Dam spillway is a marvel in its own right. It has 16 gates, located three miles east of the dam, which shoots any overflow water down a 800-feet by mile long concrete channel. It was activated June 3, 2011 for the first time since 1997, as the reservoir continues to swell from record amounts of moisture that fell in Montana this year. It also was activated in 1975, 1976 and 1979.
Inventory 12 – Bowdoin National Wildlife Reserve, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Malta, MT.
We reached the Wildlife Reserve shortly after lunch. Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1936 as a migratory bird refuge. It is located in the short and mixed grass prairie region of North-central Montana and encompasses 15,551 acres. The refuge lies about 7 miles northeast of Malta in the Milk River Valley of Phillips County.
Bowdoin’s 8,325 acres of uplands are comprised of five major habitat types. The refuge’s high percentage of native mixed-grass prairie (6,689 acres) is a unique feature of the station. Other upland types include inland saline flats; shelterbelts, shrub areas, and dense nesting cover (DNC). DNC is primarily made up of tame grasses and forbs such as wheat grass, sweet clover and alfalfa and is planted on areas that were once farmed. Mixed-grass prairie has representatives of both tall-grass prairies and short-grass prairies. Here, needle-and-thread grass, western wheatgrass and blue grama are dominant.
The Refuge’s primary purpose is to preserve and enhance resting, feeding, and breeding habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge attracts migrating waterfowl and shorebirds by the thousands and provides breeding and nesting habitat for ducks, geese, grassland songbirds, and colonial nesting water birds. The area is equally important to a variety of resident wildlife, including raptors, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, sharp-tailed grouse, and coyotes. Many species of state and federal concern can be seen at the refuge including bald eagles, piping plovers and on occasion peregrine falcons.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Achillea millefolium L. | common yarrow | Forb | Native |
| Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. | crested wheatgrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. | textile onion | Forb | Native |
| Androsace occidentalis Pursh | western rockjasmine | Forb | Native |
| Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. | small-leaf pussytoes | Forb | Native |
| Artemisia cana Pursh | silver sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia frigida Willd. | prairie sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. | white sagebrush | Forb | Native |
| Asclepias syriaca L. | common milkweed | Forb | Introduced |
| Atriplex gardneri (Moq.) D. Dietr. | Gardner’s saltbush | Shrub | Native |
| Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths | blue grama | Graminoid | Native |
| Bromus arvensis L. | field brome | Graminoid | Weed |
| Carex filifolia Nutt. | threadleaf sedge | Graminoid | Native |
| Cerastium arvense L. | field Chickweed | Forb | Weed |
| Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. | Wavyleaf thistle | Forb | Native |
| Collomia linearis Nutt. | tiny trumpet | Forb | Native |
| Conyza canadensis (L.) Conquest | Canadian horseweed | Forb | Weed |
| Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton | western tansymustard | Forb | Native |
| Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene | saltgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Elaeaganus angustifolia L. | Russian olive | Tree | Weed |
| Elymus elymoides (raf.) Swezey | squirreltail | Graminoid | Native |
| Erigeron pumilus Nutt. | shaggy fleabane | Forb | Native |
| Escobaria vivipara (Nutt.) Buxbaum var. vivipara | spinystar | Forb | Native |
| Filago vulgaris Lam. | common cottonrose | Forb | Introduced |
| Galium boreale L. | northern bedstraw | Forb | Native |
| Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal | curlycup gumweed | Forb | Native |
| Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby | broom snakeweed | Shrub | Native |
| Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth | needle and thread | Graminoid | Native |
| Hordeum jubatum L. | foxtail barley | Graminoid | Native |
| Iva axillaris Pursh | povertyweed | Forb | Native |
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A. Meeuse & Smit | winterfat | Shrub | Native |
| Lepidium densiflorum Schard. | common pepperweed | Forb | Native |
| Lomatium foeniculaceum (Nutt.) J.M. Coult. & Rose | desert biscuitroot | Forb | Native |
| Muhlenbergia montana (Nutt.) Hitchc. | mountain muhly | Graminoid | Native |
| Onosmodium behariense Nutt. | western marbleseed | Forb | Native |
| Opuntia polyacantha Haw. | plains pricklypear | Succulent | Native |
| Orobanche fasciculata Nutt. | clustered broomrape | Forb | Native |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. | large Indian breadroot | Legume | Native |
| Penstemon albidus Nutt. | white penstemon | Forb | Native |
| Phlox hoodii Richerdson | spiny phlox | Forb | Native |
| Plantago patagonica Jacq. | wooly plantain | Forb | Native |
| Poa pratensis L. | Kentucky bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Poa secunda J. Presl | Sandberg bluegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Potentilla argentea L. | silver cinquefoil | Forb | Native |
| Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. | prairie coneflower | Forb | Native |
| Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. | greasewood | Shrub | Native |
| Sonchus oleraceus L. | common sowthistle | Forb | Introduced |
| Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. | scarlet globemallow | Forb | Native |
| Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. | dandelion | Forb | Weed |
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Weed |
| Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. | American vetch | Legume | Native |
| Vulpia octoflora (Walter) Rydb. | six-weeks fescue | Graminoid | Introduced |
Leaving the Wildlife Refuge, we headed southwest about 60 miles to one section of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, which straddles the Missouri River.
Inventory 13 – Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Lewistown, MT.
This National Wildlife Refuge extends 125 miles along both sides of the Missouri River. Our location was on the western end a few miles to the east of US Highway191, along the southern border of Phillips County, and close to where the Highway crosses the Missouri. The upland site
we inventoried may be typical of MLRA 58A, i.e. the rolling high plains.
The Refuge includes native prairies, forested coulees, river bottoms, and badlands so often portrayed in the paintings of Charlie Russell, the colorful western artist for whom the refuge is named. Since the establishment of the refuge in 1936, livestock grazing has occurred on the Refuge. In 1986 the Refuge reduced cattle grazing 33% from 66,000 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) to 40,000 AUMs. In 2007, approximately 18,000 AUMs were grazed on the refuge.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Achillea millefolium L. | common yarrow | Forb | Native |
| Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth | Indian ricegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. | textile onion | Forb | Native |
| Alyssum desertorum Stapf | desert madwort | Graminoid | Native |
| Artemisia frigida Willd. | prairie sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia tridentata Nutt. | big sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyomingensis Beetle & Young | Wyoming big sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyomingensis Beetle & Young | Wyoming big sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Atriplex gardneri (Moq.) D. Dietr. | Gardner’s saltbush | Shrub | Native |
| Atriplex patula L. | spear salt | Forb | Native |
| Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott | burning bush | Forb | Weed |
| Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths | blue grama | Graminoid | Native |
| Bromus arvensis L. | field brome | Graminoid | Weed |
| Bromus tectorum L. | cheatgrass | Graminoid | Weed |
| Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & A. Gray | sego lily | Forb | Native |
| Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. | littlepod false flax | Forb | Native |
| Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. | bastard toadflax | Forb | Weed |
| Elymus elymoides (raf.) Swezey | squirreltail | Graminoid | Native |
| Eriogonum pauciflorum Pursh | fewflowered buckwheat | Forb | Native |
| Escobaria vivipara (Nutt.) Buxbaum var. vivipara | spinystar | Forb | Native |
| Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh | scarlet beeblossom | Forb | Native |
| Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal | curlycup gumweed | Forb | Native |
| Helianthus annuus L. | common sunflower | Forb | Native |
| Juniperus horizontalis Moench | creeping juniper | Shrub | Native |
| Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. | Rocky Mountain juniper | Tree | Native |
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Lactuca serriola L. | prickly lettuce | Forb | Weed |
| Lepidium densiflorum Schard. | common pepperweed | Forb | Native |
| Lomatium foeniculaceum (Nutt.) J.M. Coult. & Rose | desert biscuitroot | Forb | Native |
| Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. | yellow sweetclover | Legume | Introduced |
| Muhlenbergia montana (Nutt.) Hitchc. | mountain muhly | Graminoid | Native |
| Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth | green needlegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Opuntia polyacantha Haw. | plains pricklypear | Succulent | Native |
| Orobanche fasciculata Nutt. | clustered broomrape | Forb | Native |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. | large Indian breadroot | Legume | Native |
| Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz. | threadleaf phacelia | Forb | Native |
| Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson | ponderosa Pine | Tree | Native |
| Plantago major L. | common plantain | Forb | Introduced |
| Poa secunda J. Presl | Sandberg bluegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Polygonum aviculare L. | prostrate knotweed | Forb | Introduced |
| Potentilla recta L. | sulfur cinquefoil | Forb | Introduced |
| Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve | bluebunch wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. | prairie coneflower | Forb | Native |
| Rhus trilobata Nutt. | skunkbush sumac | Shrub | Native |
| Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. | greasewood | Shrub | Native |
| Senecio L. | rag wort | Forb | Unknown |
| Solidago L. | goldenrod | Forb | Native |
| Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. | scarlet globemallow | Forb | Native |
| Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake | common snowberry | Shrub | Native |
| Symphyotrichum ascendens (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom | western aster | Forb | Native |
| Thlaspi arvense L. | field pennycress | Forb | Weed |
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Weed |
| Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. | American vetch | Legume | Native |
| Viola nuttallii Pursh | Nuttall’s violet | Forb | Native |
As we departed the site our driver dropped down to the Missouri River (right) and headed up stream to Route 191. A most interesting site appeared high in a poplar tree off to our left. It was two large birds, believed to be buzzards, facing us into the breeze, with wings fully extended, which they held for many seconds. Given their location, their background and the time of day – it was a most amazing site.
Once onto the highway we swiftly covered the 75 miles to Lewistown for a late dinner and nights rest. It was not to be; young folk’s baseball tournament in town consumed all available lodging. Swift calls were made to the next town, Great Fall, only 105 miles away. After a pleasant dinner in Lewistown, we were off.
June 25
Inventory 14 Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail, Great Falls, MT.
Any sojourn to Great Falls requires some allotment of time to be consumed in exploring the Lewis and Clark expedition through the area. This included the Great Falls, then the Interpretive Center, both outstanding Points of Interest.
As fascinating as the Interpretive Trail was, its path down to the river served as a very good site for Inventory 14. No doubt it received extra water and, although small, was well diversified with plant life. A short walk along the river added a few more.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Alyssum desertorum Stapf | desert madwort | Graminoid | Native |
| Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem. | Saskatoon serviceberry | Shrub | Native |
| Apocynum androsaemifolium L. | spreading dogbane | Forb | Native |
| Arctium lappa L. | greater burdock | Forb | II |
| Arnica mollis Hook. | hairy arnica | Forb | Native |
| Artemisia cana Pursh | silver sagebrush | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia frigida Willd. | prairie sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Asclepias speciosa Torr. | showy milkweed | Forb | Native |
| Asclepias syriaca L. | common milkweed | Forb | Introduced |
| Astragalus bisulcatus (Hook.) A. Gray | twogrooved milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Astragalus cicer L. | chickpea milkvetch | Legume | Introduced |
| Brassica nigra (L.) W.D.J. Koch | black mustard | Forb | I |
| Bromus inermis Leysis. | smooth brome | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Bromus tectorum L. | cheatgrass | Graminoid | Weed |
| Carex spp. L. | sedge | Graminoid | Native |
| Centaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek | spotted knapweed | Forb | Weed |
| Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. | Canada thistle | Forb | Weed |
| Cirsium flodmanii (Rydb.) Arthur | Flodman’s thistle | Forb | Native |
| Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt. | Western white clematis | Vine | Native |
| Cornus sericea L. ssp. occidentalis (Torr. & A. Gray) Fosberg | western redosier dogwood | Shrub | Native |
| Crataegus douglasii Lindl. | black hawthorn | Shrub | Native |
| Cynoglossum officinale L. | gypsyflower | Forb | Weed |
| Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton | western tansymustard | Forb | Native |
| Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould | thickspike wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Elymus repens (L.) Gould | quackgrass | Graminoid | Weed |
| Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L. Nesom & Baird ssp. nauseosa | rubber rabbitbrush | Shrub | Native |
| Euphorbia esula L. | leafy spurge | Forb | Weed |
| Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. | green ash | Tree | Native |
| Galium boreale L. | northern bedstraw | Forb | Native |
| Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh | American licorice | Shrub | Native |
| Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal | curlycup gumweed | Forb | Native |
| Juniperus xfassettii B. Boivin [horizontalis × scopulorum] | Fassett juniper | Shrub | Native |
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Lactuca serriola L. | prickly lettuce | Forb | Weed |
| Leymus cinereus (Scribn. & Merr.) A. Löve | basin wildrye | Graminoid | Native |
| Liatris punctata Hook. | dotted blazing star | Forb | Native |
| Linum lewisii Pursh | Lewis flax | Forb | Native |
| Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link ssp. racemosum | feathery false lily of the valley | Forb | Native |
| Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth | green needlegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Penstemon albidus Nutt. | white penstemon | Forb | Native |
| Penstemon eriantherus Pursh | fuzzytongue penstemon | Forb | Native |
| Phalaris arundinacea L. | reed canarygrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Poa pratensis L. | Kentucky bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Populus balsamifera L. ssp. trichocarpa (Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook.) Brayshaw | black cottonwood | Tree | Native |
| Prunus viginiana L. | chokecherry | Shrub | Native |
| Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski | Russian wildrye | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Rhus trilobata Nutt. | skunkbush sumac | Shrub | Native |
| Ribies cereum Douglas | wax current | Shrub | Native |
| Rosa woodsii Lindl. | Wood’s rose | Shrub | Native |
| Rudbeckia hirta L. | black-eyed susan | Forb | Native |
| Rumex crispus L. | curly dock | Forb | Weed |
| Salix amygdaloides Andersson | peachleaf willow | Tree | Native |
| Salix exigua Nutt. | coyote willow | Shrub | Native |
| Shepherdia argentea (Pursh) Nutt. | silver buffaloberry | Shrub | Native |
| Solanum dulcamara L. | climbing nightshade | Forb | Introduced |
| Solidago L. | goldenrod | Forb | Native |
| Sonchus asper L.) Hill | spiny sowthistle | Forb | Weed |
| Toxicodendron rydbergii Small ex Rydb.) Greene | western poison-ivy | Vine | Native |
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Weed |
| Verbascum thapsus L. | common mullein | Forb | Weed |
| Wyethia helianthoides Nutt. | sunflower mule-ears | Forb | Native |
| Yucca glauca Nutt. | soapweed yucca | Shrub | Native |
By late morning this was completed and we headed for another one of Larry’s Points of Interest; the Charles M. Russell Museum. Fred seemed to have a desire to take on the grizzly.
After lunch we were off to our next inventory 35 miles to the northwest.
Inventory 15 – Freezeout Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has become one of the most spectacular waterfowl viewing areas in Montana, if not the entire northern Great Plains. Snow geese, tundra swans, and other migratory birds come to Freezeout Lake to feed in the harvest fields of malting barley that surround the WMA and to rest in the ideal surroundings. The picture to the right shows an example (copied from web page)
Freezeout Lake provides seasonal birding opportunities that are typical of a shortgrass prairie marsh habitat. In early spring the WMA is getting crowded with wildlife viewers and photographers coming too see the thousands of birds on the many ponds. Snow geese numbers reach nearly 100,000 in late March or early April. The objectives of the WMA are to provide, sustain and enhance habitat for waterfowl and upland game bird production, and provide public hunting and viewing opportunities.
Freezeout Lake receives irrigation drainage water from the Sun River Project, west of the city of Great Falls. The Sun River Project includes the Gibson and Willow Creek Dam and Reservoir, Pishkun Dikes and Reservoir, Sun River Diversion Dam, Fort Shaw Diversion Dam, and nine canal systems.
The project started in 1884, when a group of Helena businessmen tried to dig the first canal from the North Fork of the Sun River north toward the Freezeout bench. In 1907 the U.S. Reclamation Service (USRS) met at Great Falls to open bids on the Sun River Project’s first structure, the Willow Creek Dam. In an embarrassing turn of events, no firm submitted a bid. However, during the next 23 years the project was completed. Gibson’s completion coincided with the arrival of the Depression, adding another burden to irrigators. Ironically, Sun River was about to know its first successes.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. | crested wheatgrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. | textile onion | Forb | Native |
| Alopecurus pratensis L. | meadow foxtail | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Alyssum desertorum Stapf | desert madwort | Graminoid | Native |
| Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. | annual ragweed | Forb | Introduced |
| Artemisia frigida Willd. | prairie sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Atriplex ×odontoptera Rydb. (pro sp.) [canescens × gardneri] | fourwing Gardner hybrid saltbush | Shrub | Native |
| Atriplex patula L. | spear salt | Forb | Native |
| Bromus arvensis L. | field brome | Graminoid | Weed |
| Bromus inermis Leysis. | smooth brome | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. | littlepod false flax | Forb | Native |
| Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. | whitetop | Forb | Native |
| Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton | western tansymustard | Forb | Native |
| Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene | saltgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Elymus repens (L.) Gould | quackgrass | Graminoid | Weed |
| Galium boreale L. | northern bedstraw | Forb | Native |
| Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal | curlycup gumweed | Forb | Native |
| Hordeum jubatum L. | foxtail barley | Graminoid | Native |
| Iva axillaris Pursh | povertyweed | Forb | Native |
| Lactuca serriola L. | prickly lettuce | Forb | Weed |
| Lepidium densiflorum Schard. | common pepperweed | Forb | Native |
| Lepidium perfoliatum L. | clasping pepperweed | Forb | Native |
| Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose | cous biscuitroot | Forb | Native |
| Medicago lupulina L. | black medic | Legume | Introduced |
| Medicago sativa L. | alfalfa | Legume | Introduced |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Poa secunda J. Presl | Sandberg bluegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Polygonum aviculare L. | prostrate knotweed | Forb | Introduced |
| Puccinellia distans distans (Jacq.) Parl. | weeping alkaligrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Rumex crispus L. | curly dock | Forb | Weed |
| Salicornia rubra A. Nelson | red swampfire | Forb | Native |
| Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. | greasewood | Shrub | Native |
| Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv. | meadow fescue | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Solidago L. | goldenrod | Forb | Native |
| Sonchus arvensis L. | field sowthistle | Forb | Introduced |
| Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. | scarlet globemallow | Forb | Native |
| Suaeda calceoliformis (Hook.) Moq. | Pursh seepweed | Forb | Native |
| Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. | dandelion | Forb | Weed |
| Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Z.-W. Liu & R.-C. Wang | tall wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Thlaspi arvense L. | field pennycress | Forb | Weed |
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Weed |
| Typha latifolia L. | broadleaf cattail | Forb | Native |
| Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. | American vetch | Legume | Native |
This completed we returned to Great Falls for the night. Larry observed during dinner that the highlight of the week had just occurred.
For years Curtis had resisted the notion that such a thing as Rocky Mountain Oysters even existed, let alone the concept of eating one. It wasn’t that they were any stranger to him, growing up on a West Virginia farm where one learned early how to neuter boy calves and lambs. But the idea of eating the product was just too gross. But there they were an appetizer on one of Great Falls leading restaurants. Of course they were instantly ordered. Curtis’ plan was to pretend to eat them but drop them to the floor. Bad plan, Larry watched him like a hawk. Fortunately for Curtis they were not served on the half shell, but thinly sliced, thickly breaded and deep fried; no visual resemblance to the real thing and tasting like a French fry. But for Larry, victory was so sweet.
June 26
Inventory 16 – Sun River, Gibson Dam, U.S. Reclamation Service, MT
Early on June 26 we headed west for Gibson Dam. Our driver earned his pay this day. All modes of roads were utilized to reach our destination, which we did mid morning safe and sound. It was our most western point, which was slightly to the east of the Great Wall.
Gibson Dam, the principal structure of the Sun River Project, is on the Sun River, 70 miles west of Great Falls, Montana. It has a total capacity of 99,100 acre-feet. Outlet structures to the irrigation project are two 72-inch diameter semi-steel-lined conduits through the base of the dam. The maximum capacity of the outlets is 3,050 feet per second.
The reservoir releases water into the Sun River for diversion downstream into the Pishkun Supply Canal, or the Fort Shaw Canal. Nine canal systems cross the Project, totaling131 miles, with 562 miles of laterals, and 265 miles of drainage ditches.
Our inventory was on an undisturbed site just east of the canyon where Gibson Dam is located.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Achillea millefolium L. | common yarrow | Forb | Native |
| Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth | Indian ricegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. | crested wheatgrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Allium textile A. Nelson & J.F. Macbr. | textile onion | Forb | Native |
| Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. | small-leaf pussytoes | Forb | Native |
| Apocynum androsaemifolium L. | spreading dogbane | Forb | Native |
| Artemisia frigida Willd. | prairie sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. | white sagebrush | Forb | Native |
| Astragalus drummondii Douglas ex Hook. | Drummond’s milkvetch | Legume | Native | ||||
| Astragalus flexuosus Douglas ex G. Don | flexile milkvetch | Legume | Native | ||||
| Astragalus gilviflorus Sheldon | plains milkvetch | Legume | Native | ||||
| Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt. | arrowleaf balsamroot | Forb | Native | ||||
| Carex filifolia Nutt. | threadleaf sedge | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Centaurea stoebe L. ssp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek | spotted knapweed | Forb | Weed | ||||
| Cerastium arvense L. | field Chickweed | Forb | Weed | ||||
| Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. | Wavyleaf thistle | Forb | Native | ||||
| Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. | bastard toadflax | Forb | Weed | ||||
| Corallorhiza striata Lindl. | hooded coralroot | Forb | Native | ||||
| Dalea purpurea Vent. | purple prairieclover | Legume | Native | ||||
| Daucus carota L. | Queen Anne’s Lace | Forb | Native | ||||
| Echinacea angustifolia DC. | purple coneflower | Forb | Native | ||||
| Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould | thickspike wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Eriogonum ovalifolium Nutt. | cushion buckwheat | Forb | Native | ||||
| Festuca campestris Rydb. | rough fescue | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Festuca ovina L. | sheep fescue | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Gaillardia aristata Pursh | common gaillardia | Forb | Native | ||||
| Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh | scarlet beeblossom | Forb | Native | ||||
| Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby | broom snakeweed | Shrub | Native | ||||
| Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth | needle and thread | Graminoid | Native | ||||
| Hymenoxys richardsonii (Hook.) Cockerell | pinque rubberweed | Forb | Native | ||||
| Iris missouriensis Nutt. | Rocky Mountain iris | Forb | Native |
| Juniperus horizontalis Moench | creeping juniper | Shrub | Native |
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Lepidium densiflorum Schard. | common pepperweed | Forb | Native |
| Liatris punctata Hook. | dotted blazing star | Forb | Native |
| Linum lewisii Pursh | Lewis flax | Forb | Native |
| Lithospermum incisum Lehm. | narrowleaf stoneseed | Forb | Native |
| Lomatium cous (S. Watson) J.M. Coult. & Rose | cous biscuitroot | Forb | Native |
| Lupinus argenteus Pursh | silvery lupine | Forb | Native |
| Machaeranthera grindelioides (Nutt.) Shinners | rayless tansyaster | Forb | Native |
| Medicago lupulina L. | black medic | Legume | Introduced |
| Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. | yellow sweetclover | Legume | Introduced |
| Muhlenbergia montana (Nutt.) Hitchc. | mountain muhly | Graminoid | Native |
| Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth | green needlegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Oxytropis sericea Nutt. | white locoweed | Forb | Native |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Penstemon eriantherus Pursh | fuzzytongue penstemon | Forb | Native |
| Phalaris arundinacea L. | reed canarygrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Phlox hoodii Richerdson | spiny phlox | Forb | Native |
| Pinus flexilis James | limber pine | Tree | Native |
| Poa compressa L. | Canada bluegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Potentilla argentea L. | silver cinquefoil | Forb | Native |
| Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve | bluebunch wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco | Douglas-fir | Tree | Native |
| Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. | prairie coneflower | Forb | Native |
| Rhus trilobata Nutt. | skunkbush sumac | Shrub | Native |
| Ribes aureum Pursh | golden current | Shrub | Native |
| Rosa woodsii Lindl. | Wood’s rose | Shrub | Native |
| Senecio L. | rag wort | Forb | Unknown |
| Solidago L. | goldenrod | Forb | Native |
| Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake | common snowberry | Shrub | Native |
| Symphyotrichon Nees | aster | Forb | Native |
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Weed |
| Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. | American vetch | Legume | Native |
| Zigadenus venenosus S. Watson | meadow deathcamas | Forb | Native |
Following our inventory we traveled to Augusta, MT, which was in the throws of a rodeo. Fortunately, we had lunch and got out of town before they closed the road.
Inventory 17 – Beartooth Wildlife Management Area, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, at Holter Dam, PPL Montana Power, MT
Holter Dam is a hydroelectric plant along the Missouri operated by PPL Montana, and surrounded by the WMA. It is a popular site for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, hiking and camping, including the Beartooth Landing Campground, a boat-in-only site. Numerous campgrounds dot the river above and below the dam.
This site is in Lewis and Clark County, on the border between MLRA 43 and 44, i.e. on a line between the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Northern Rocky Mountain Valleys. Our location was to the south end of the lake, and high above it: A most beautiful site for our final inventory.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Type | Origin |
| Achillea millefolium L. | common yarrow | Forb | Native |
| Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth | Indian ricegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. | crested wheatgrass | Graminoid | Introduced |
| Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem. | Saskatoon serviceberry | Shrub | Native |
| Antennaria parvifolia Nutt. | small-leaf pussytoes | Forb | Native |
| Apocynum androsaemifolium L. | spreading dogbane | Forb | Native |
| Arnica sororia Greene | twin arnica | Forb | Native |
| Artemisia campestris L. | field sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia frigida Willd. | prairie sagewort | Shrub | Native |
| Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. | white sagebrush | Forb | Native |
| Asclepias verticillata L. | whorled milkweed | Forb | Native |
| Astragalus australis (L.) Lam. | Indian milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Astragalus bisulcatus (Hook.) A. Gray | twogrooved milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Astragalus gilviflorus Sheldon | plains milkvetch | Legume | Native |
| Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths | blue grama | Graminoid | Native |
| Brassica L. | mustard | Forb | Introduced |
| Bromus tectorum L. | cheatgrass | Graminoid | Weed |
| Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. | littlepod false flax | Forb | Native |
| Carex filifolia Nutt. | threadleaf sedge | Graminoid | Native |
| Chaenactis douglasii (Hook.) Hook. & Arn. | Douglas’ dustymaiden | Forb | Native |
| Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. | Wavyleaf thistle | Forb | Native |
| Collomia linearis Nutt. | tiny trumpet | Forb | Native |
| Crataegus douglasii Lindl. | black hawthorn | Shrub | Native |
| Crepis acuminata Nutt. | tapertip hawksbeard | Forb | Native |
| Cryptantha celosioides (Eastw.) Payson | butte candle | Forb | Native |
| Dalea purpurea Vent. | purple prairieclover | Legume | Native |
| Daucus carota L. | Queen Anne’s Lace | Forb | Native |
| Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton | western tansymustard | Forb | Native |
| Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould | thickspike wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L. Nesom & Baird ssp. nauseosa | rubber rabbitbrush | Shrub | Native |
| Eriogonum ovalifolium Nutt. | cushion buckwheat | Forb | Native |
| Eriogonum pauciflorum Pursh | fewflowered buckwheat | Forb | Native |
| Festuca campestris Rydb. | rough fescue | Graminoid | Native |
| Filago vulgaris Lam. | common cottonrose | Forb | Introduced |
| Gaillardia aristata Pursh | common gaillardia | Forb | Native |
| Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh | scarlet beeblossom | Forb | Native |
| Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal | curlycup gumweed | Forb | Native |
| Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby | broom snakeweed | Shrub | Native |
| Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth | needle and thread | Graminoid | Native |
| Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners | hairy false goldenaster | Forb | Native |
| Hymenoxys richardsonii (Hook.) Cockerell | pinque rubberweed | Forb | Native |
| Juniperus communis L. | common juniper | Shrub | Native |
| Juniperus xfassettii B. Boivin [horizontalis × scopulorum] | Fassett juniper | Shrub | Native |
| Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. | prairie junegrass | Graminoid | Native |
| Lepidium campestre (L.) W.T. Aiton | field pepperweed | Forb | Introduced |
| Lesquerella ludoviciana (Nutt.) S. Watson | foothill bladderpod | Forb | Native |
| Liatris punctata Hook. | dotted blazing star | Forb | Native | |
| Linum lewisii Pursh | Lewis flax | Forb | Native | |
| Lomatium dissectum (Nutt.) Mathias & Constance | fernleaf biscuitroot | Forb | Native | |
| Lupinus argenteus Pursh | silvery lupine | Forb | Native | |
| Medicago lupulina L. | black medic | Legume | Introduced | |
| Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. | yellow sweetclover | Legume | Introduced | |
| Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth | green needlegrass | Graminoid | Native | |
| Oenothera caespitosa Nutt. | tufted evening primrose | Forb | Native | |
| Opuntia polyacantha Haw. | plains pricklypear | Succulent | Native | |
| Oxytropis sericea Nutt. | white locoweed | Forb | Native | |
| Packera cana (Hook.) W.A. Weber & A. Löve | wooly groundsel | Forb | Native | |
| Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve | western wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native | |
| Pediomelum argophyllum (Pursh) J. Grimes | silverleaf Indian breadroot | Legume | Native | |
| Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Ryb. | large Indian breadroot | Legume | Native | |
| Penstemon eriantherus Pursh | fuzzytongue penstemon | Forb | Native | |
| Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz. | threadleaf phacelia | Forb | Native | |
| Phleum pratense L. | timothy | Graminoid | Introduced | |
| Phlox hoodii Richerdson | spiny phlox | Forb | Native | |
| Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson | ponderosa Pine | Tree | Native | |
| Plantago patagonica Jacq. | wooly plantain | Forb | Native | |
| Poa bulbosa L. | bulbous bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced | |
| Poa pratensis L. | Kentucky bluegrass | Graminoid | Introduced | |
| Poa secunda J. Presl | Sandberg bluegrass | Graminoid | Native | |
| Potentilla glandulosa Lindl. | sticky cinquefoil | Forb | Native | |
| Potentilla pensylvanica L. | Pennsylvania cinquefoil | Shrub | Native | |
| Potentilla recta L. | sulfur cinquefoil | Forb | Introduced | |
| Prunus viginiana L. | chokecherry | Shrub | Native | |
| Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve | bluebunch wheatgrass | Graminoid | Native | |
| Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco | Douglas-fir | Tree | Native | |
| Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. | prairie coneflower | Forb | Native | |
| Rhus trilobata Nutt. | skunkbush sumac | Shrub | Native | |
| Ribes aureum Pursh | golden current | Shrub | Native | |
| Rosa woodsii Lindl. | Wood’s rose | Shrub | Native | |
| Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. | scarlet globemallow | Forb | Native | |
| Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake | common snowberry | Shrub | Native | |
| Tragopogon dubius Scop. | yellow salsify | Forb | Weed | |
| Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. | American vetch | Legume | Native | |
The End
From the Beartooth WMA site we headed for Bozeman, our starting point. Larry, always the most gracious host, invited us to his home for a farewell pizza dinner. Following a discussion on report preparation and next year’s location, we departed, already anxious for the 2012 spring visit to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of the Southwest.
Conservation Plants 
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