Powell Butte RNA

Powell Butte Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent three late-seral plant associations representative of warm, dry juniper woodlands in central Oregon: the western juniper/big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass (Juniperus occidentalis/Artemisia tridentata/Pseudoroegneria spicata) plant association, the western juniper/big sagebrush/Idaho fescue (Juniperus occidentalis/Artemisia tridentata/Festuca idahoensis) plant association, and the western juniper/bluebunch wheatgrass (Juniperus occidentalis/Pseudoroegneria spicata) plant association. Four moderate- to steep-sloping canyons oriented in a south to southwest direction extend through the RNA. The parcel lies on moderate to steep mid slopes and lower slopes of Powell Butte. Western juniper is the predominant tree species within the RNA. Big sagebrush, gray rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), and antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) dominate the shrub layer. The herb layer is dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), and Cusick’s bluegrass (P. cusickii). Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata), spiny phlox (Phlox hoodii), common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and nineleaf biscuitroot (Lomatium triternatum) are common vascular plant species.