Honeycombs RNA

Honeycombs Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent two native plant communities: Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)/needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata) on cinders and annual forb communities on exposed ash beds. The RNA includes unusual geologic structures, steep cliffs and deeply dissected canyons, and colorful desert soils of volcanic origin. Sagebrush/bunchgrass is the dominant plant community while shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia) and greasewood (Sarcobatus) are also common. Sterile milkvetch (Astragalus sterilis), grimy ivesia (Ivesia rhypara var. rhypara), Ertter's senecio (Senecio ertterae) and Owyhee clover (Trifolium owyheense) are special status species present in the RNA.