Benjamin RNA

Benjamin Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent a western juniper/Idaho fescue (Juniperus occidentalis/Festuca idahoensis) plant association. The RNA has gentle to moderate predominantly east-facing slopes dissected by several ephemeral drainages. Western juniper with an understory of big and low sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata and A. arbuscula) and Idaho fescue dominate the RNA. Spiny phlox (Phlox hoodii), low pussytoes (Antennaria dimorpha), Nevada biscuitroot (Lomatium nevadense), and sulphur-flower buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) are common herbaceous species. Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) and bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) are common grasses throughout the RNA while prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha) and Thurber’s needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum) are present but scarce.