Round Top Mountain RNA

Round Top Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent a green fescue (Festuca viridula) subalpine grassland in northeastern Washington. The RNA encircles Round Top Mountain in the Selkirk Mountain Range. The topography is gently sloped with dense forests. The green fescue, subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa)/ beargrass (Nolina), and subalpine fir/cascades azalea (Rhododendron albiflorum) communities dominate the RNA. Green fescue dominates the open parklands although bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), Columbia brome (Bromus vulgaris), and spike trisetum (Trisetum spicatum) are also present. A belt of bittercherry (Prunus emarginata) borders the lower edge of the parkland. Scattered whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) dominates the summit of the mountain and along the southwest ridge. Rhododendron, fool's huckleberry (Menziesia ferruginea), beargrass, and woodrush dominate subalpine fir forests. Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) is also present. Dryland sedge (Carex xerantica) and California sedge (Carex californica) dominate green fescue-subalpine fir communities.