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Montana Field Guides

Bitterroot Draba - Draba daviesiae
Other Names:  Draba apiculata var. daviesiae

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Species of Concern
Native Species

Global Rank: G3
State Rank: S3
(see State Rank Reason below)
State Threat Score: No Known Threats
CCVI: Highly Vulnerable
C-value:


Agency Status
USFWS:
USFS: Sensitive - Known in Forests (BD, BRT)
BLM:


 





State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
DRAFT: Requesting feedback on the 2026 revised rank, factors, and State Rank Reason outlined below and in the Conservation Status Rank Report.
Draba daviesiae is a Montana endemic that occurs primarily in the Bitterroot Range in Ravalli County. Outlying collections from the Flint Creek Range and the East Pioneers also exist. The species is known from only about a dozen sites. Population levels are poorly documented but appear to be at least a few thousand plants. Trends are also undocumented. However, populations are likely relatively stable or have experienced only minor declines as the species' alpine habitat is remote and largely intact. Threats to the species appear to be limited, though shifts in climate may negatively impact the species, and it is rated as "Highly Vulnerable" to climate change as part of an analysis using the CCVI. Surveys are needed to document population sizes and extent of the known occurrences. Monitoring of a subset of populations is needed to be able to determine potential population trends. Monitoring of the St. Mary's Peak occurrence is needed to determine if trampling and recreation
Bitterroot Draba (Draba daviesiae) Conservation Status Summary
State Rank: S3
Review Date = 02/17/2026
See the complete Conservation Status Rank Report
How we calculate Conservation Status Ranks
 
General Description
Mat-forming perennial; the caudex clothed in old leaf bases. Stems simple, 1–5 cm. Basal leaves oblong, 2–5 mm long, entire. Stem leaves lacking. Vestiture of simple leaf cilia; otherwise glabrous. Petals yellow, 3–5 mm long. Fruit ascending, 4–6 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, glabrous; style 0.3–0.5 mm long; lower pedicels 3–6 mm long (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).We do not yet have descriptive information on this species.  Please try the buttons above to search for information from other sources.

Phenology
Flowering in July and August, mature fruit in late July and August.

Species Range
Montana Range Range Descriptions

Native
 


Range Comments
Montana endemic, restricted to Bitterroot Mountains in Ravalli County.

Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 24

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)



Habitat
Rocky slopes and talus near or above timberline.
Predicted Suitable Habitat Model

This species has a Predicted Suitable Habitat Model available.

To learn how these Models were created see here

National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Alpine
Alpine - Sparse and Barren
Alpine Bedrock and Scree


Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
Threat impact not assigned because threats are not known (MTNHP Threat Assessment 2021).

References
  • Literature Cited AboveLegend:   View Online Publication
    • Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
    • MTNHP Threat Assessment. 2021. State Threat Score Assignment and Assessment of Reported Threats from 2006 to 2021 for State-listed Vascular Plants. Botany Program, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana.
  • Additional ReferencesLegend:   View Online Publication
    Do you know of a citation we're missing?
    • Lackschewitz, K. 1986. Plants of west-central Montana, identification and ecology: annotated checklist. General Technical Report INT-217. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, Utah. 128 pp.
    • Lackschewitz, K. 1991. Vascular plants of west-central Montana--identification guidebook. U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 648 pp.
    • Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
    • Rollins, R. C. 1984. Studies in the Cruciferae of western North America II. Contributions Gray Herbarium 214:1-18.
    • Rollins, R. C. 1993. The Cruciferae of Continental North America: systematics of the mustard family from the Arctic to Panama. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. 976 pp.
  • Web Search Engines for Articles on "Bitterroot Draba"
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Citation for data on this website:
Bitterroot Draba — Draba daviesiae.  Montana Field Guide.  .  Retrieved on , from