Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 12 12 As an undergraduate research assistant to Dr. Martha Apple, I was given the opportunity to study several species of rare alpine plants that dot Glacier Park's iconic landscape. These unsung heroes can serve as climate change indicators for scientists, who use the plants' distribution and response to receding glaciers over time as a marker for environ- mental change. Perhaps one of the most widely known species of fl ora within Glacier Park is the glacier lily. The glacier lily (Erythronium grandifl orum) is one of over 30 species of fl ora that are endemic to the Glacier National Park region. Known for its aesthetic beauty, the glacier lily is characterized by a bright lemon yellow fl ower and basal, elliptic leaves. The plant stalk can reach heights of 30 centimeters. The plant fl owers early in the summer season, and it can be found in most sites near the treeline—the area where trees cease to grow and rock fi elds be- gin—of mountain peaks. The leaves of the glacier lily not only provide nutrition to mule deer and other herbivores; its bulbs are also an important and preferred food of the grizzly bear. The glacier lily can serve as a key indicator for climate change within Glacier National Park because it is an early-season bloomer. Receding glaciers have caused the glacier lily to fl ower earlier than normal in the past century, which has had serious effects on the lily's availability for pollina- tors and herbivores. The glacier lily, like many species of fl ora that are unique to the region, is exceptionally sensitive to changes in climate due to its occurrence at high elevations, its exposure to low temperatures, and its relatively short growing season. The glacier lily is so range-limited that it serves as one of the fi rst species of fl ora in danger of becoming extinct due to global climate change. However, there are many more, lesser known species of fl ora in the park that are at a much great- er risk than the glacier lily of becoming extinct. One of these plants is the pygmy poppy (Papaver pygmaeum). The pygmy poppy is native to North America and can be found in British Columbia, Alberta and Montana. It has very narrow distribu- W hile many fl ock to Glacier National Park to view its craggy peaks and its spectacular large mammal population, a much smaller population makes the landscape of this treasured national park beautiful. Species of small mammals and rare plants inhabit Glacier's delicate alpine habitat, which is quickly disappearing due to the effects of a changing climate. Park's iconic landscape. These unsung heroes can serve as climate change indicators for scientists, who use the plants' distribution and response to receding glaciers over time as a marker for environ- mental change. Perhaps one of the most widely known species of fl ora within Glacier Park is the glacier lily. The glacier lily (Erythronium The glacier lily (Erythronium The glacier lily ( grandifl orum) is one of over 30 species of fl ora that are endemic to the Glacier National Park region. Known for its aesthetic beauty, the glacier lily is characterized by a bright lemon yellow fl ower and basal, elliptic leaves. The plant stalk can reach heights of 30 centimeters. ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY MACY K. RICKETTS The Pigmy Poppy is endemic to the Waterton-Glacier region. G L A C P O P P I E S , P I K A S , A N D L I L I E S

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