Botany of the Pryors Mountains

The diversity of species and plant communities in the Pryors is treasured by amateur and professional botanists, teachers, researchers and students. The spring and summer wildflowers are a delight to photographers and other visitors to the Pryors.

All visitors should make efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of noxious weeds and other non-native plants which threaten the native plant diversity of this special landscape.

Explore the botanical diversity of the Pryors on the following pages:

The Pryor Mountains – A Botanical Hot Spot

by Botanist Peter Lesica

Why do the Pryors have such great botanical diversity and so many rare and endemic plant species? Why is this important?

Wildflower Photo Gallery

Photos of dozens of wildflowers in the pryors with identifications.

A Botanical Guide to Nine Special Places in the Pryors

by Simone Durney, Kelsey Flathers and Jennifer Lyman

Nine diverse plant communities ranging from the southern desert, to a riparian area, and the sub-alpine top of the Pryors are described. Plant lists and directions for getting to each community are included.

South Pryors Important Plant Area (IPA)

A description of the Important Plant Area designated by the Montana Native Plant Society - including a list of the species of concern with some nice photos.