Thompson Clover

Thompson Clover Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent one of several small areas of Thompson's clover (Trifolium thompsonii) known to exist on Federal land. The RNA lies within Swakane Canyon which has deep, steep, nonglaciated slopes and a narrow valley bottom filled with fan and stream alluvium. Thompson’s clover is common on well-drained, grassy hillsides just below the edge of the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) woodland. Stiff sagebrush (Artemisia rigida)/Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) is the dominant plant community. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Bahia sagittata), parsnipflower buckwheat (Eriogonum heracleoides), Thompson's clover, western yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis), and low pussytoes (Antennaria dimorpha) are common forbs and halfshrubs.  Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) is the predominant grass species. Ponderosa pine is common along the upper end of the RNA.