The Butte RNA

The Butte Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)/poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) forest and Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana)/grass savanna. The topography of  the RNA is broad and gently sloping at the top, but drops off sharply down to a toe slope. Douglas-fir dominates the ridge top and west slope. Vine maple (Acer circinatum), oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), dwarf Oregon grape (Berberis nervosa), salal (Gaultheria shallon), swordfern (Polystichum munitum), and poison oak are dominant understory species found throughout the RNA. Oregon white oak/grass savanna grows on the north end of the ridge and along the edges of the ridge where the slope begins to steepen. Tall bugbane (Cimicifuga elata), a special status plant species, is also present.