Montana’s mountains, forests, and alpine streams create a patchwork of habitats where unique plants and insects have evolved in isolation. That geographic variety means some species occur nowhere else — small, specialized populations tied to particular ranges and conditions.
There are 9 Endemic Species of Montana, ranging from Glacier Sallfly to Zukel’s Snowfly. For each entry the data are organized as Scientific name, Range (counties), Conservation status — you’ll find below.
How do scientists decide a species is truly endemic to Montana?
Researchers combine historical records, field surveys, museum specimens, and genetic studies to confirm a species’ natural range; if a species is only naturally found within Montana and shows no established populations elsewhere, it’s considered endemic. County-level occurrence data and peer-reviewed literature help verify boundaries and rule out recent introductions.
Which endemic species are most at risk and what can a concerned person do?
Risk varies by species and is reflected in the Conservation status column; those with tiny ranges or habitat threats are most vulnerable. You can help by reporting sightings to local wildlife agencies, avoiding disruption of sensitive habitats, supporting conservation groups working in Montana, and using reputable field guides and county-level data when sharing records.
Endemic Species of Montana
| Common name | Scientific name | Range (counties) | Conservation status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesica’s Bladderpod | Physaria lesicii | Carbon | Globally Critically Imperiled (G1), Federally Threatened |
| Lackschewitz’s Fleabane | Erigeron lackschewitzii | Flathead, Lake | Globally Critically Imperiled (G1) |
| Grassy-slope Tansy-aster | Dieteria laetevirens | Beaverhead, Madison | Globally Critically Imperiled (G1) |
| Lackschewitz’s Milk-vetch | Astragalus lackschewitzii | Granite, Powell | Globally Critically Imperiled (G1) |
| Meltwater Lednian Stonefly | Lednia tumana | Flathead, Glacier | Globally Critically Imperiled (G1), Federally Threatened |
| Glacier Sallfly | Zapada glacier | Flathead, Glacier | Globally Imperiled (G2), highly sensitive to climate change |
| Hogue’s Golden Stonefly | Hesperoperla hoguei | Gallatin, Park | Globally Critically Imperiled (G1) |
| Zukel’s Snowfly | Capnia zukeli | Gallatin | Globally Critically Imperiled (G1) |
| Minimalist Talus Spider | Oreonetides minimus | Carbon, Park | Globally Critically Imperiled (G1) |
Images and Descriptions
Lesica’s Bladderpod
This tiny, yellow-flowered plant from the mustard family is one of the world’s rarest. It grows only on unique, barren clay soils from the Bearpaw Shale formation in a very small area of Carbon County, making it a true Montana-only treasure.
Lackschewitz’s Fleabane
A beautiful daisy relative with lavender-rayed flowers, this species lives exclusively in high-alpine wet meadows and along stream banks in the Swan Range. Its entire global population is found within a few square miles, making it incredibly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Grassy-slope Tansy-aster
This purple-flowered aster thrives only on specific gravelly, sagebrush-grassland slopes in southwestern Montana. Its extreme habitat specialization restricts it to a handful of sites in the world, all located within two Montana counties, highlighting the state’s unique geological biodiversity.
Lackschewitz’s Milk-vetch
This delicate, purple-flowered legume is found nowhere else on Earth but the moist, gravelly soils along streams in the Flint Creek Range. Its limited range makes it a key indicator species for the health of these specific high-elevation riparian habitats.
Meltwater Lednian Stonefly
This tiny stonefly inhabits a disappearing world—the icy trickles flowing from melting glaciers in Glacier National Park. Its survival is directly tied to permanent cold water, making it one of the most critically threatened species by climate warming in North America.
Glacier Sallfly
This rare stonefly is an extreme specialist, living only in the coldest, glacier-fed streams within Glacier National Park. As its namesake glaciers retreat due to climate change, this insect faces an existential threat, making it a poster child for climate impacts in Montana.
Hogue’s Golden Stonefly
This large, predatory stonefly is restricted to a few cold, clean rivers in the Yellowstone ecosystem of Montana. Its presence indicates exceptional water quality, but its tiny global range makes it highly vulnerable to pollution and habitat degradation.
Zukel’s Snowfly
Known only from a single stream in the Gallatin Range, Zukel’s Snowfly is a winter stonefly, with adults emerging when snow is still on the ground. Its entire known existence is tied to the pristine water quality of its single-creek home.
Minimalist Talus Spider
This minuscule spider lives a hidden life deep within the cool, stable microclimates of high-elevation talus slopes in the Beartooth Mountains. It is a true alpine specialist, completely dependent on its rocky, subterranean habitat and found nowhere else on the planet.
