Sullivantia hapemanii var. hapemanii Conservation Assessment

The conservation assessment for Hapeman’s coolwort (Sullivantia hapemanii var. hapemanii) examined the biology, ecology, conservation status, and management of the species throughout its range. Hapeman’s coolwort is a rare, wetland obligate plant known only to the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. It has been listed as a species of special concern with the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database and the Montana Natural Heritage Programs. The distribution of Hapeman’s coolwort in Wyoming and Montana is limited to Madison limestone and Bighorn Dolomite rock outcrops where soils are calcium-rich seasonally or perennially saturated. In Bighorn Canyon NRA, the species was observed at ten springs having the characteristic habitat to support Hapeman’s coolwort. Because the suite of conditions needed is limited in spatial extent, conservation of the species requires management that limits disturbance to spring hydrology.