Trip to Pagoda and Turtlehead Mountains in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana, USA

This Journal entry is really a way to group all my observations for plants and flowers (mostly) that I have tried to identify, but have relatively little confidence in, because I don't know much about flowers in Montana.

Much of the information I have learned is from the Montana Field Guide, which is a very nice resource.

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/default.aspx

If anyone knows plants in this region, or knows of someone who does, I sure would love to know whether any of my IDs are correct, and what some of my unknown flowers/plants are.

Posted on 31 de julho de 2016, 05:32 AM by beschwar beschwar

Observações

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 7, 2016 07:34 PM CDT

Descrição

Several of these were growing in a wet area below a small spring on the edge of the main trail, somewhere in this general region.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 7, 2016 07:34 PM CDT

Descrição

These were growing in a small spring/seep area next to the main trail in this area and near/in a group of White Bog Orchids. I have so far been unable to identify them.

http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3752463

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

Perhaps Synanthedon tipuliformis?

This was dead and had been caught by a white crab spider on a Bog Orchid (both posted separately).

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

Piperia unalascensis, I believe. Several were found in a cool wet area along the Helen Creek Trail.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

This white Flower Crab spider was on what I believe is Piperia unalascensis orchid, and had apparently fed on a Synanthedon moth that was still stuck on the plant.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

Seen growing in several places along the Helen Creek Trail.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

A few plants were seen along Helen Creek. By July 16, the plants and blooms were much taller and more impressive!

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

Growing in a cool mossy area under tall trees.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

Growing near Cornus canadensis in a cool mossy area.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

Lots of this was blooming along the trail at this elevation. I believe this ID is correct.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

Perhaps Synanthedon tipuliformis, but it doesn't look quite the same as photos I find online.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

An interesting fly that landed on my backpack. I haven't had time to try to narrow down the ID any farther than this, but I think the Family is correct.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

This flower has me stumped. The four petals and general plant structure leads me to think it is Brassicaceae, but I can't seem to get any farther than this.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

This seems to be the closest match based on the MT Field guide, internet photos, and ranges for the species.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

A patch of these were blooming in a small depression that still had some snow on the north-facing side.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

Blooming next to Glacier Lilies.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 2016

Descrição

I think this is the correct species of Mariposa Lily. Corrections are welcome!

Fotos / Sons

What

Esquilo-Terrestre-de-Manto-Dourado (Callospermophilus lateralis)

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

Argh!!! There are so many Penstemon in Montana, and I don't know them well at all. This one was growing in a steep limestone gravel scree slope that faces west.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

There are a number of these growing in a steep limestone gravel scree slope that faces west. Using the MT field guide, it seems to be one of a couple species, but then those species are not found in this area. So I'm not really sure what to call this one. I posted photos of the pods in 2014, and this year I was there when they were blooming, though the blooms were gone by July 16.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

There seem to be several potential species of Delphinium in this region, and I am not confident enough to ID this to the species level.

Like a number of other interesting flowers on this slope, this one was growing in a steep limestone gravel scree slope that faces west.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

This was the only clump I saw on this trip. It was growing on an east facing clay slope weathered from a shale.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Descrição

This may be a subspecies of this. Growing out of a limestone slab.

Fotos / Sons

What

Esquilo-Terrestre-de-Columbia (Urocitellus columbianus)

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 8, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 9, 2016 11:46 AM CDT

Descrição

Growing along an alpine stream, right at the water's edge.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 9, 2016 11:53 AM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 9, 2016 11:53 AM CDT

Descrição

Growing on north-facing steep moist slopes near base of cliffs, and in small drainageways.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 9, 2016 11:45 AM CDT

Descrição

Growing along an alpine stream at ~7500'

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 9, 2016 11:54 AM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 9, 2016 11:56 AM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 9, 2016 12:07 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 9, 2016 12:12 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

What

Veado-Mula (Odocoileus hemionus)

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 9, 2016 05:21 PM CDT

Descrição

Several does and 2 bucks hung around camp for two weeks. They were completely unafraid, but not looking for food, either.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

Perhaps Norwegian Cinquefoil, Potentilla norvegica.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

Couldn't conclusively narrow this one down using the online MT Field Guide, but I believe it is different than the other species I have posted for this area.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

Seems to match the description on the online MT Field Guide for this species.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

Possibly a subspecies of Heuchera cylindrica, but I can't narrow it down to that level.

Very common in the area.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

Yet another species of Cinquefoil that I have not yet narrowed down to species level. This one has leaves and flowers that seem to be substantially different from the other more common yellow species in the area: leaves are glabrous and somewhat fleshy, comparatively.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

A few of these were seen very widely scattered around the region

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

I think this is Nuttall's Rockcress: Arabis nuttallii

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

I'll call this Greater Red Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) for now, but the leaves don't seem quite right for that species. Nothing else on the MT Field Guide seems to match well, either.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

What

Morango-da-Virgínia (Fragaria virginiana)

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

I'm pretty certain this is a Biscuitroot, and this species seems to be the best match so far: Lomatium dissectum

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

Common in the area

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

I thought I had a better photo of this, but it seems not.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

What

Cebolinho (Allium schoenoprasum)

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

A single large patch

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

Common

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Descrição

I think this is the correct species of Meadowrue

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 13, 2016 02:00 PM CDT

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 14, 2016

Descrição

My best guess, based on the flower structure, is that this might be in the genus Silene, but I welcome any other ideas or IDs!

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Descrição

This is just a guess, based on the flower structure, plant habit, and leaf structure. I only saw a couple plants of this, while Deathcamas (Anticlea elegans) was quite common.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Descrição

This interesting plant was fairly common as small patches of groundcover in rocky areas with little soil, or in rock fractures. I have been unable to find anything similar in field guides, but I'm sure that's because I just don't know where to start on it. The photo of the dead flower stalk at least shows the size of the flower, even though it was not blooming.

Fotos / Sons

What

Milefólio (Achillea millefolium)

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Descrição

I'm not terribly confident about this ID, but it seems like it is the only white Cinquefoil that is in the region and looks similar.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Descrição

@benhutchins and I spent a while looking for this one in the book "A Swift Guide To Butterflies of North America", but it is not there. We also failed to find it using an online search. Wingspan is ~4.5 cm. Found taking shelter on sunny south facing ground, in between some small rocks.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Descrição

Several of these, and several Fritillaries, decided that my backpack was a good place for a feeding frenzy while I took a few minutes to cool my feet in the stream!

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Descrição

This is an educated guess. I've decided that some Fritillaries might be more trouble to ID than I'm willing to deal with. :-)

Fotos / Sons

What

Assobios (Silene latifolia)

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 15, 2016

Descrição

While I hope that this ID is incorrect, and that this is actually a native Silene species, I don't hold much hope for that, given all the traffic in this area.

Fotos / Sons

Observador

beschwar

Data

Julho 14, 2016

Descrição

Edited 8-7-2016: added photos of live snail.

Edited 1-15-2018: ID narrowed further from O. strigosa to O. alpina. Shell sutures are too impressed for O. strigosa, and the diameter and height to diameter ratio, as well as the umbilicus/diameter ratio all suggest O. alpina over strigosa, to me. According to Pilsbry, O. alpina also matches this shell in that 'The last whorl is strongly angular at periphery but the angle disappears near the end, where the whorl descends slightly.' In addition, O. alpina has been documented from the Bob Marshall on nearby Scapegoat Mountain to the SSE, as well as in the Mission Mountains to the west.

Using "A Guide to the Land Snails and Slugs of Montana", and Pilsbry, 1939, I have narrowed this down to (I believe): Oreohelix alpina.

The snail was found live on a north-facing steep rocky slope a few hundred feet below a ~200' limestone cliff. Elevation of the site is ~ 7500', vegetation is low with a few small evergreen trees.

Color of the live animal is very dark, nearly entirely black.

These photos are of the live snail after collection, but the snail had dried slightly and retreated into its shell.

Despite approximately 10 man-hours of sporadic searching in the region over a 7-day period, this was the only snail or shell found, and I was keeping a pretty good eye out for snails. I discovered it on a damp rock, two days after a heavy rainstorm, with rainy and cooler than average weather during the entire week leading up to finding it. Temps were in the 50s to 60s F during the day and high 30s at night.

Source:

https://archive.org/details/Aa103edf-3eb4-41a9-95a1-12046928fe85

Hendricks, Paul. 2012. A Guide to the Land Snails and Slugs of Montana. A report to the U.S.
Forest Service - Region 1. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. vii + 187 pp. plus
appendices.

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