Dennison Hollow
Location
Ecological and Physical Description
Dennison Hollow RNA includes high quality dry upland forest, sandstone glade, and sandstone cliff communities. The RNA contains three State threatened species: Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) and an aster (Aster undulatis); and one Federally threatened listed species: Mead's Milkweed (Asclepias meadii).
Annual precipitation averages about 42 inches and ranges from about 25 to 72 inches.
Closest weather station is in Harrisburg, 9 miles west-northwest of Dennison Hollow.
A relatively thin layer of silty loess covers the area, generally thickest high on the ridge. The large ridge on which Dennison Hollow is located is composed of 1) massive sandstone, come conglomeritic, 2) sandstone with alternating shale lyers on the ridge crest and back slope, and 3) shale and limestone on the sharp face.
None
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrangea arborascens | Hydrangea | Common Shrub Species | ||
| anthonia spicata | Poverty oats | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Vaccinum arboeum | farkleberry | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Smilax bona-nox | greenbriar | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Helianthus divaricatus | woodland sunflower | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Clitoria mariana | butterfly pea | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Antennaria plantaginifolia | pussytoes | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Cunila origanoides | dittany | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Andropogon scoparius | little bluestam | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Sorghastrum nutans | Indian grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Rhus radicans | poison ivy | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Virginia creeper | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Hypericum gentianoides | pineweed | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Diodia teres | rough buttonweed | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Polystichum acrostichoides | Christmas fern | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Heuchera parviflora | alumroot | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odocoileus virginianus | White-tailed deer | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Canis latrans | coyote | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Urocyon cinereoargenteus | gray fox | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Procyon lotor | raccoon | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Didelphis marsupialis | opossum | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Sciurus carolinensis | gray squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Dryocopus pileatus | Pileated woodpecker | Common Bird Species | ||
| Contopus virens) | eastern wood-pewee | Common Bird Species | ||
| Polioptila caerulea | blue-gray gnatcatcher | Common Bird Species | ||
| Meleagris gallopavo) | wild turkeys | Common Bird Species |