Pataha Bunchgrass

Pataha Bunchgrass Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata)/Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) grasslands with Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga)/grand fir (Abies grandis) forest and big huckleberry (Gaylussacia) understory. The RNA sits on a gentle ridge top that runs east to west before dropping into an unnamed tributary of Pataha Creek, outside of the RNA. Columbia River basalts underlie the RNA. Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) and Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) dominate the plateau while parsnipflower buckwheat (Eriogonum heracleoide), bearded lupine (Lupinus sericeus), Eaton’s fleabane (Erigeron eatoni), (E. bloomer), serrate balsamroot (Balsamorhiza serrate), andcommon yarrow (Achillea millefolium) are also common. Bluebunch wheatgrass co-dominates with Sandburg’s bluegrass on the transition from the plateau to steep slopes while (sericeus), (E. eatoni), (E. bloomeri), and (B. serrata) are also present. The grand fir/thinleaf huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) plant association dominates the majority of the seven forest types while the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)/pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens) community dominates the transitional band between grassland and Douglas-fir forest.