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This report is dedicated to the memory of our esteemed colleague, Jim Reichel, who had initiated a biological inventory within the study area at the time of his tragic passing. The expertise and interest of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff was integral to this project, which greatly benefited by the coordination and expertise of Mike Rabenberg. It also benefited from discussions and help of the entire Medicine Lake Office. The access permission and kindness of landowners and leasees contacted in this study are acknowledged with gratitude. Special thanks are also extended to all who provided information on the plant life of Sheridan County, or the county in general, including Mike Rabenberg (USFWS), Aldon Joyes, Doug Smith, Cherryl Wagner, Ted Nordhagen, Monica Friedrich (NRCS) and Terry Angvick (Extension Service). Characteristic plant associations of Sheridan County Appendix G. Range sites, ecological units, and plant associations of Sheridan County Appendix H. Summary table of Sheridan County plant species of special concern and watch species Appendix I. Sheridan County plant species of special concern and watch species Appendix J. Flora of Sheridan County Scientific and common names of plant associations Global Rank State Rank # of Sample Plots Big Muddy Medicine Lake Missouri Coteau Other

Grank & Reasons: G3 (99-12-06). This small patch type currently has a circumscribed geographic distribution, though its description from Saskatchewan and North Dakota would not be unexpected. Habitats with the potential to support this type appear to be relatively abundant, but the type itself is comparatively uncommon. This types affinity for well-drained benches and gently inclined landforms in a primarily agricultural landscape puts it at a moderate risk for agriculture conversion. Fortunately, this landform also occurs in breakland and badland environments less desirable for agriculture, thus lessening the chances of this uncommon type being converted to agriculture. Its graminoid composition renders it only moderately attractive to cattle, and the scarcity of forbs decrease its value as sheep range. Element Distribution Range: This association is well documented from Montana and Alberta, Canada. The same or a closely analogous type occurs in Wyoming, and some permutation of the type is to be expected in northwestern North Dakota and Saskatchewan.

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County Distribution: It has only been found in two places on the Ashland District of the Custer National Forest (Heidel and Marriott 1996), and these represent the known Powder River and Rosebud records. In the course of this survey there was very little suitable habitat in the areas that were visited, so it was not found and no additional data was collected on this species and its distribution. Ecology and management considerations: This plant seems restricted to mesic microhabitats within pine woodlands, which could make it vulnerable to changes in woodland structure and composition by grazing and logging. These settings are also vulnerable to invasion of exotic species like Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). There were fire scars among the Ponderosa pine at one of the Ashland District sites where it occurred, indicating that the species survives ground fires. Status note: Since this species is restricted to woodlands and has not been found on BLM lands in Montana, it could be dropped from BLM "Watch" status. Ceanothus herbaceous, New Jersey tea (G5, SH) County Distribution: The single collection of this species in Montana was from a "grassy, pine-covered hill" in Powder River County. There are few pine stands on BLM lands in the county, and of the few that were surveyed, none appeared to have suitable microhabitat. It is not known whether this species is restricted to pineland habitat in Montana, and we also looked for it nearby grassland habitat on BLM lands. We did not locate it, and were unable to collect any additional data on this species in the county. Ecology and management considerations: We have no information on the ecology of this plant. It has reportedly diminished elsewhere on the Great Plains (Ode, pers. comm.) Some species of Ceanothus are highly palatable to wildlife and livestock.

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