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a study by Kuykendall and Kaye (1993) seed production rates were 0.3 -1.2 seeds /fruit in <br /> 1992, which was a dry year with generally low fruit set. <br /> Phenology: Plants begin to emerge from dormancy in April, and flower from mid -may to <br /> mid -June. Seeds mature mostly in early July, and plants generally go dormant later in July. <br /> Reproductive Biology and Breeding System: Reproduces by seed (self incompatible) and <br /> may spread vegetatively (Liston et al. 1995). <br /> Pollinators: Pollinated by native bees and flies (T.Kaye unpublished data; P. Hammond, <br /> pers. comm.). <br /> Seed /Fruit Dispersal Mechanisms: <br /> Potential Habitat Modifications: Recently several populations have been lost due to the <br /> establishment of christmas tree plantations. Pest plant control now is a major priority on <br /> sites that have protective ownership. Herbicides, cutting, mowing, hand pulling or burning <br /> can be effective control measures against the most troublesome weeds. However, it is <br /> imperative that the timing and type of control measure match the species and conditions so as <br /> not to harm L. sulphureus ssp. kincaidii in the process. For example, early mowing of tall <br /> oatgrass would also harm L. sulphureus ssp. kincaidii, thus a later mowing would be more <br /> appropriate. There is some concern that burning may facilitate the spread and growth of <br /> certain exotic species into native grasslands (Hammond and Wilson 1993). Survival of the <br /> Fender's blue butterfly (a rare and endangered insect that feeds on L. sulphureus ssp. <br /> kincaidii) also needs to be considered; burning could have a deleterious effect on the <br /> Fender's blue butterfly larvae since they appear to diapause within 1 cm. of the soil surface <br /> (Schultz 1996). <br /> Herbivory, Seed Predation, and Disease: Grazing, particularly by cattle, has probably <br /> reduced the number and size of populations. Fender's blue feeds on leaves; Silvery blue <br /> feeds on flowers, seed pods and leaves; larvae of short-nose weevils of curculionid beetles <br /> feed on seed pods (predation ranged from 29 to 85%); aphids (Macrosiphum albifrons) were <br /> found feeding stems and leaves; and galls were found at the base of stems (Kuykendall and <br /> Kaye 1993). <br /> Impacts of Exotic Plants: Cytisus scoparius is perhaps the most troublesome invasive <br /> species in L. sulphureus ssp. kincaidii habitat, but Rubus discolor is also problematic at many - <br /> sites. Arrhenatherum elatius is an invasive grass that forms, dense and vigorous patches of <br /> tall grasses that excludes most other herbaceous growth. Other herbaceous plants that can be <br /> troublesome invaders include Agrostis tenuis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca arundinacea, <br /> Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Daucus carota, Hypochaeris radicata, Plantago lanceolata. <br /> Pteridium aquilinum is a native fern that can form dense colonies and apparently exclude <br /> other native species, including L. sulphureus ssp. kincaidii <br /> 13 <br />