Limpy Rock

Limpy Rock Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent ecosystems associated with a large number of special interest vascular plant species: spleenwort (Asplenium septentrionale), milk vetch (Astragalus umbraticus), fairy slipper (Calypso bulbosa), ghost orchid (Eburophyton austinae), fawnlily (Erythronium citrinum), gnome plant (Hemitomes congestum), kalmiopsis (Kalmiopsis fragrans), and lily (Lilium pardalinum). The RNA is heavily timbered, with moderate to steep, generally-south facing slopes. A major portion of Dog Creek lies within the RNA boundary. The forest is dominated by Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) with occasional stands of sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), incense-cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), golden chinkapin (Castanopsis chrysophylla), grand fir (Abies grandis), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). The RNA was burned in the 19th century and restocked heavily in most areas. Prescribed fire is used to help maintain the ecosystems and species for which this RNA was designated.