DE PARTMENT OF AGRICULT URE

Grass Mountain 

Research Natural Area

Guidebook Supplement 32

Reid Schuller and Ronald L. Exeter

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest 

Research Station

General Technical Report

PNW-GTR-732

September 2007
The Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the principle of 

multiple use management of the Nation’s forest resources for sustained yields of wood, 

water, forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry research, cooperation with the 

States and private forest owners, and management of the National Forests and National 

Grasslands, it strives—as directed by Congress—to provide increasingly greater service 

to a growing Nation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and 

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, 

sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income 

is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all 

programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET 

Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write 

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 

20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider and employer.

Authors

Reid Schuller is a consulting plant ecologist living in Bend, Oregon; Ronald L. 

Exeter is a botanist, Salem District, Marys Peak Resource Area, U.S. Department 

of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, OR 

97306.

The PNW Research Station is publishing this guidebook as part of a continuing 

series of guidebooks on federal research natural areas begun in 1972.

Cover

Grass meadow (grass bald) dominated by graminoids and perennial herbaceous 

species including blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus), California sedge (Carex 

californica), California brome (Bromus carinatus), bracken fern (Pteridium 

aquilinum), starry false-Solomonseal (Maianthemum stellatum), slender-tubed iris 

(Iris chrysophylla), and Chamisso sedge (Carex pachystachya). Adjacent forest is 

co-dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and noble fir (Abies procera) 

with western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) regenerating in the forest understory.
Abstract

Schuller, Reid; Exeter, Ronald L. 2007. Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: guidebook supplement 32. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-732. Portland, OR: U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 29 p.

This guidebook describes the Grass Mountain Research Natural Area, a 377-ha (931-ac) 

tract in the Oregon Coast Range. The area supports a grass bald complex surrounded by 

stands dominated by noble fir (Abies procera) and/or Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) 

in the overstory, and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) in the understory. The area 

also contains a small rock garden plant community along high-elevation ridges, and 

young Douglas-fir forest that originated from a wildfire. Headwaters of high-elevation, 

Oregon Coast Range streams are surrounded by noble fir forest and add to the site 

diversity.

Keywords: Research natural area, grass bald, grass meadow, rock garden community, 

noble fir forest, Douglas-fir forest, Oregon Coast Range, grass meadow invasion, highelevation stream headwaters.
Preface

The research natural area (RNA) described in this supplement 1 is administered 

by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Department of the Interior. The 

BLM Salem District office has RNA program administrative responsibility and 

the Marys Peak Resource Area has on-the-ground management responsibility for 

the RNA. Scientists and educators wishing to visit or use the RNA for scientific or 

educational purposes should contact the resource area field manager in advance and 

provide information about research or educational objectives, sampling procedures, 

and other prospective activities. Research projects, educational visits, and collection 

of specimens from the RNA all require prior approval. There may be limitations on 

research or educational activities.

Grass Mountain RNA is part of a federal system of such tracts established 

for research and educational purposes. Each RNA constitutes a site where natural 

features are protected or managed for scientific purposes and natural processes are 

allowed to dominate. Their main purposes are to provide:

• Baseline areas against which effects of human activities can be 

measured or compared.

• Sites for study of natural processes in undisturbed ecosystems.

• Gene pool preserves for all types of organisms, especially rare 

and endangered types.

The federal system is outlined in A Directory of the Research Natural Areas 

on Federal Lands of the United States of America.2

Of the 96 federal RNAs established in Oregon and Washington, 45 are 

described in Federal Research Natural Areas in Oregon and Washington: a 

Guidebook for Scientists and Educators (see footnote 1). Supplements to the 

guidebook such as this publication constitute additions to the system.

The guiding principle in management of RNAs is to prevent unnatural 

encroachments or activities that directly or indirectly modify ecological processes 

or conditions. Logging and uncontrolled grazing, for example, are not allowed 

nor is public use that might impair scientific or educational values. Management 

practices necessary to maintain or restore ecosystems may be allowed.

1Supplement No. 32 to Franklin, J.F.; Hall, F.C.; Dyrness, C.T.; Maser, C. 1972. Federal 

research natural areas in Oregon and Washington: a guidebook for scientists and educators. 

Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest 

and Range Experiment Station. 498 p.

2

Federal Committee on Ecological Reserves. 1977. A directory of the research natural 

areas on federal lands of the United States of America. Washington, DC: U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Forest Service. [Irregular pagination].
Federal RNAs provide a unique system of publicly owned and protected 

examples of undisturbed ecosystems where scientists can conduct research with 

minimal interference and reasonable assurance that investments in long-term 

studies will not be lost to logging, land development, or similar activities. In return, 

a scientist wishing to use an RNA is obligated to:

• Obtain permission from the appropriate administering agency before 

using the area.3

• Abide by the administering agency’s regulations governing use, 

including specific limitations on the type of research, sampling 

methods, and other procedures.

• Inform the administering agency on progress of the research, 

published results, and disposition of collected materials.

The purpose of these limitations is to:

• Ensure that the scientific and educational values of the tract are

not impaired.

• Accumulate a documented body of knowledge and information 

about the tract.

• Avoid conflict between studies and activities.

Research must be essentially nondestructive; destructive analysis of vegetation 

is generally not allowed, nor are studies requiring extensive modification of the 

forest floor or extensive excavation of soil. Collection of plant and animal 

specimens should be restricted to the minimum necessary to provide voucher 

specimens and other research needs. Under no circumstances may collecting 

significantly reduce populations of species. Collecting also must be carried out in 

accordance with agency regulations. Within these broad guidelines, appropriate 

uses of RNAs are determined by the administering agency.

3

Six federal agencies cooperate in this program in the Pacific Northwest: U.S. Department 

of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park 

Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. Department of Energy; and 

U.S. Department of Defense.
4Cells are the basic units that must be represented in a natural area system. A cell can 

be an ecosystem, community, habitat, or organism. Taken from: Dyrness, C.T.; Franklin, 

J.F.; Maser, C.; Cook, S.A.; Hall, J.D.; Faxon, G. 1975. Research natural area needs in the 

Pacific Northwest: a contribution to land-use planning. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-38. 

Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest 

and Range Experiment Station. 231 p.

Salem BLM management direction is to preserve, protect, or restore native 

species composition and ecological processes of biological communities (including terrestrial and aquatic cells4

 listed in the 2003 Oregon Natural Heritage 

Plan. Research natural areas are available for short- or long-term scientific study, 

research, and education and serve as baselines against which human impacts on 

natural systems can be measured. The Marys Peak Resource Area does not issue 

special forest product permits within RNAs. 

Contents

1 Introduction

1 Access and Accommodations

3 Environment

5 Climate

6 Vegetation

15 Fauna

16 Disturbance History

16 Research History

17 Site History

17 Maps and Aerial Photography

17 Acknowledgments

18 English Equivalents

18 References

20 Appendix 1: Plants

24 Appendix 2: Fungi

26 Appendix 3: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals, and Insects
Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Introduction

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA) is a 293.8-ha (726-ac) tract of land 

occupying the summit and upper slopes of Grass Mountain located in Benton 

County in the central Oregon Coast Range. An additional 82.96 ha (205 ac) is 

currently proposed for inclusion to the existing RNA, bringing the total to 377 ha 

(931 ac). The addition includes more grass balds1 along the northern boundary and 

shrublands bordering the grass meadows. Magee (1985) defined grass bald as any 

meadow that occurs on or near the summits of montane peaks and ridges. The sites 

on which they occur are generally located within the climatic tolerance ranges of 

adjacent tree species. The proposed RNA addition also reshapes the boundary along 

roads, ridges, and streams so that it is easily identifiable in the field. 

The RNA was established to protect a grass meadow complex (eight discrete 

grassland meadows), noble fir (Abies procera) stands (see appendixes for species 

names and authorities) and the headwaters of a high-elevation stream containing 

noble fir along its upper reaches. Grass Mountain also contains a rock garden 

vegetation community representative of mountain vegetation in the Oregon Coast 

Range (Dyrness et al. 1975, Federal Register 1984, Franklin and Dyrness 1988). 

Grass Mountain RNA was established in 1983 as a research natural area under 

the Salem Management Framework Plan (Federal Register 1984). The RNA is 

administered by the Salem District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

and managed as part of the Marys Peak Resource Area. 

Access and Accommodations

Figure 1 shows road access up to the RNA boundary from U.S. Highway 34. Grass 

Mountain RNA is located approximately 5 mi (8 km) northwest of Alsea, Oregon, 

in sections 17, 20, 21, and 29, T. 13 S., R. 8 W., Willamette Meridian. Directions 

are as follows: From the town of Alsea proceed west on Highway 34 approximately 

2.7 km (1.7 mi) to the junction of Follet Road. Turn north on Follet Road (14-8-3) 

and proceed 0.8 km (0.5 mi) to the junction of Mill Creek Road. Turn right on Mill 

Creek Road and continue north, uphill on the main roads 14-8-3.1, 13-8-35, and 

13-8-23.1 for approximately 16 km (10 mi) to the junction of Road 13-8-15 at the 

summit of Easter Ridge. Turn left on Road 13-8-15 and stay to the left at any road 

junctions and proceed for 1.6 km (1 mi) to the gate at the northern edge of the Grass 

Mountain RNA. The road is closed at this point to vehicle traffic and washed out a 

short distance past the gate. Proceed 3.7 km (about 2.3 mi) on foot to the summit of 

Grass Mountain, an old lookout tower site.

1

We refer to “grass meadows” throughout the text, replacing the less descriptive term 

“grass bald.” 
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

There are no maintained trails within the RNA. However, past the gate 

described above, there is an existing roadway to the northernmost grass meadow, 

which is located on a north-south ridge approximately 1.9 km (1.2 mi) from the 

gate. From this point, all roadways have been decommissioned (earth berms and 

water bars). The decommissioned roadbed continues south to a grass meadow 

and turns back to the north to the summit of Grass Mountain in the vicinity of 

the old lookout tower. Another roadbed from near the summit connects to the 

southern boundary of the RNA to private lands and is also decommissioned and 

blocked by gates. Informal trails are present within some of the grass meadows. 

Foot travel may be restricted in some forested areas by ground vegetation and 

steep terrain. Permission is required to cross these lands. Alternate routes to the 

Grass Mountain RNA may be available. Please contact the Salem BLM, Marys 

Peak Resource Area for access information and to obtain permission to use the 

area. Lodging accommodation is available in Waldport, Oregon.

Figure 1—Grass Mountain Research Natural Area location and access.
Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Environment

Elevations range from 560 m (1,837 ft) in the northwestern portion of the tract 

to 1098 m (3,603 ft) along the central ridge, which includes the Grass Mountain 

summit (fig. 2). Slope orientations are predominantly west-northwest and southsoutheast, although a full range of slope aspects (360°) occurs within the RNA. 

Four perennial streams have their headwaters on Grass Mountain: Skunk Creek 

and Mill Creek flow south and southeast; Easter Creek flows northeast, and Cove 

Creek flows northwest. Figure 3 shows the first-, second-, and third-order reaches of 

Cove Creek in relation to the RNA boundary. Easter Creek flows directly into the 

North Fork Alsea River and is included in the North Fork Alsea River Watershed. 

Mill Creek flows directly into the mainstem Alsea River and both Skunk Creek 

and Cove Creek flow into Fall Creek, which flows into the mainstem of the Alsea 

River downstream from Mill Creek. Mill Creek, Skunk Creek, and Cove Creek are 

included in the Lower Alsea River Watershed. 

The summit of Grass Mountain is capped by a gabbro sill, as much as 305 m

(1,000 ft) thick. The mountain is a complex of three ridges of mafic intrusive 

granophyric gabbro and granophyric diorite (Baldwin 1964) in the form of an 

inverted “Y” trending north-south and connected at the intersection of the three 

ridges (Aldrich 1973). Dikes and sills of gabbro, diorite, and basalt are common 

in the Marys Peak and Alsea quadrangles. The gabbro cap is surrounded at lower 

elevations by rhythmically bedded sandstone and intercalated sandy siltstone of 

the Tyee Formation (Baldwin 1955).

Soils along the upper slopes and ridgeline of Grass Mountain are moderately 

deep with depth to bedrock of 51 to 102 cm (20 to 40 in). Ridgeline soils supporting grass meadows have been mapped as Mulkey medial loam, 3- to 60-percent 

slopes, and are composed of colluvium derived from igneous bedrock, or residuum 

weathered from igneous rock. Grass bald soils are classified as medial, ferrihydritic 

Pachic Fulvicryands (USDA NRCS 2006). 

Forest soils supporting noble fir (Abies procera) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga 

menziesii) occupy about 25 percent of the RNA, and are mapped as LurnickLuckiamute-Maryspeak complex, 3- to 60-percent slopes. Parent material is 

colluvium derived from sandstone and siltstone. Soils are very cobbly to extremely 

cobbly sandy loam with a depth to bedrock of 102 cm (40 in). These soils occur at 

upper elevations on north- and south-facing slopes on Grass Mountain. They are 

classified as loamy skeletal, isotic Lithic and Andic Dystrocryepts. Other prominent 

forest soil mapping units occur within the RNA: Chintimini-Blodgett complex, 60-

to 90-percent slopes, with loamy-skeletal, isotic, frigid, shallow Typic Dystrudepts; 

Chintimini-Blodgett-Fiverivers complex, 30- to 60-percent slopes, with fine-loamy, 

Geology

Soils
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

isotic, frigid Andic Dystrudepts; Burntwoods-Oldblue complex, 30- to 60-percent 

slopes with medial-skeletal over loamy-skeletal, mixed over isotic, frigid Typic 

Fulvudands; and Oldblue-Burntwoods complex, 5- to 30-percent slopes, with 

fine-loamy, isotic, frigid Andic Dystrudepts (USDA NRCS 2006).

Figure 2—Grass Mountain Research Natural Area boundary and topographic map.
Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Figure 3—Cove Creek drainage basin showing headwater first-, second-, and thirdorder stream locations within Grass Mountain Research Natural Area.

Climate

The climate of Grass Mountain is strongly maritime and typical of wetter portions 

of the Oregon Coast Range. Grass Mountain is near the Pacific Ocean and is one of 

the highest peaks in the central Oregon Coast Range. As such, it directly intercepts 

moisture from storms moving inland off the Pacific Ocean. Winters are typically 

cool and wet. The majority of precipitation occurs November through March, 

mostly in the form of rain at lower elevations with an increasing proportion of snow 

at upper elevations on Grass Mountain. Summers are usually moderately dry and 

warm with the June-August period receiving about 5 percent of the total annual 

precipitation (Western Regional Climate Center 2006). 

Snowfall data for 1978–2005 are from October through May. The highest 

monthly snowfall averages occurred between December and March. January 

received the highest average monthly snowfall of 59 cm (23 in), with average 

monthly maximum snow depths of 25.4 cm (10 in). Average monthly snow depth in 

excess of 5.1 cm (2 in) occurred from November through April (Western Regional 

Climate Center 2006). Microclimatic conditions differ significantly with elevation, 

slope, and aspect.

Meteorological data from the nearest climate station of comparable elevation 

in the Oregon Coast Range are taken from Laurel Mountain. The climate station at 

Maritime Climate
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Laurel Mountain is located approximately 56.3 km (35 mi) north-northeast of the 

RNA. The Laurel Mountain station is located slightly below the mountain summit 

at 1094 m (3,589 ft) elevation. In comparison, Grass Mountain summit is 1098 m 

(3,603 ft) elevation. 

Climate data for Laurel Mountain, Oregon. Period of Record: 3/1/1978 to 

9/30/2005—Laurel Mountain, Oregon (Station 354776)

Average minimum January temperature -0.8 °C (30.5 °F)

Average maximum January temperature 4.4 °C (40.0 °F)

Average minimum July temperature 9.3 °C (48.7 °F)

Average maximum July temperature 18.7 °C (65.6 °F)

Average annual precipitation 3132 mm (123.30 in)

Average June–August precipitation 160 mm (6.30 in)

Average annual snowfall 2995 mm (117.9 in)

Vegetation

Grass Mountain lies within the Tsuga heterophylla Zone (Franklin and Dyrness 

1988) where western hemlock is the potential climax species in the absence of 

major disturbance. The zone is widespread and occupies much of the Oregon Coast 

Range and the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains. In the Oregon Coast 

Range today, Douglas-fir often is a major overstory dominant in stands that have 

developed over the past 175 years following logging, fire, or both logging and fire. 

Even old-growth (400+ years) stands, not directly modified by human activity, often 

have Douglas-fir as a major overstory component (Franklin and Dyrness 1988). 

Upper elevations on Grass Mountain are typical of high peaks in the central 

Oregon Coast Range in supporting noble fir as a major overstory component. 

Ridgelines and upper slopes of Grass Mountain are dominated by noble fir or by 

mixed stands of noble fir, Douglas-fir, and western hemlock. Larger trees and snags 

are predominantly Douglas-fir. Sapling densities in these stands are an even mix 

of noble fir and western hemlock. Regeneration of Douglas-fir is minor in these 

closed-canopy settings. However, Douglas-fir is present in minor amounts as a 

sapling in forest openings and edges bordering grass meadows and rock gardens. 

Tree recruitment is primarily noble fir and western hemlock within closed, shaded 

forest understories. 

In 2004, four permanent vegetation transects were established across forestmeadow ecotones2

 to characterize stand structure and vegetation composition 

and to establish a baseline to assess the pattern and rate that trees and shrubs 

2An “ecotone” is a transition area between two adjacent ecological communities.

Douglas-fir an 

overstory dominant

Noble fir at higher 

elevations

Permanent vegetation 

transects established
Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

are invading the grass meadows. Four, 100-m-long transects were established so 

that roughly 50 m occurred within closed forest, and 50 m extended through a 

forest/meadow transition into an (open) grass meadow. Tree seedling3 and sapling4

densities were tallied within a 20-m-wide belt along the 100-m transect in both 

the closed forest and extending into the grass meadow (table 1). Eighty percent of 

the seedlings in the closed forest were noble fir, and the remainder were Douglasfir and western hemlock (10 percent each). Densities of seedlings in the grass 

meadow are comparable, but the distribution of species differs considerably. In the 

grass meadow, noble fir and Douglas-fir compose 50 and 46 percent, respectively, 

western hemlock only 4 percent. The smaller contribution of Douglas-fir seedlings 

in the forest can be attributed to the species’ shade-intolerance in the closed-canopy 

forest environment. The pattern is reversed for western hemlock, which has more 

than twice as many seedlings in the shaded forest compared to the grass meadow. 

The lack of downed wood in the grass meadow may account for the lack of western 

hemlock regeneration. 

3 “Seedlings” refers to individual trees 10 cm to 1.47 m (4 in to 4.8 ft) in height.

4 “Saplings” refers to individual trees greater than 1.47 m (4.8 ft) in height, and less than 5 

cm (2 in) diameter at breast height.

Table 1—Seedling and sapling number and density in four, 20-by 100-m belt transects, Grass Mountain 

Research Natural Area

Forest segment 0–50 m

Seedlings Saplings

Transect PSME ABPR TSHE PSME ABPR TSHE

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

112 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

113 7 47 73 65 2 14 0 0 5 71 5 71

114 5 33 20 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

115 3 20 20 18 12 86 0 0 2 29 2 29

 Total 15 113 14 0 7 7

Meadow grassland segment 50–100 m

Seedlings Saplings

Transect PSME ABPR TSHE PSME ABPR TSHE

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

112 0 0 12 21 5 100 0 0 0 0 4 80

113 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

114 10 20 18 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

115 40 78 27 47 0 0 2 100 3 100 1 20

 Total 51 57 5 2 3 5

Note: PSME = Pseudotsuga menziesii; ABPR = Abies procera; TSHE = Tsuga heterophylla.
GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

The total number of saplings present within both the forest and the grass 

meadow segments is low when compared to the tree seedling densities. For all trees 

combined, seedling densities are 10 times sapling densities in the combined forest 

transect segments (142 to 14) and in the grass meadow segments (113 to 10) (table 

1). One possible explanation for this may be heavy snowpacks abrading and 

uprooting saplings as the snowpack moves gravitationally downslope. 

Describing density only in terms of numbers obscures the spatial pattern of tree 

invasion into the meadow that is so prominent in the field. That is, the very large 

majority of both seedlings and saplings were spatially clustered along the forest/

ecotone edge, and appear to be encroaching into the grass meadow incrementally 

along a more-or-less continuous advancing front. Although a few outlier seedling 

colonies occurred in the open meadow, these composed only a small percentage of 

the total densities for any tree species occurring within the meadow.

In his reference to grass meadow invasion by trees in the mid-1970s, Aldrich 

(1973) observed “...almost no tree growth occurred within the grass meadows 

except for a few Douglas-fir on the north and upper perimeter of the meadows.” The 

interior of the grass meadow was entirely free of conifer growth at that time. The 

data described above and in table 1 indicate that meadow invasion has progressed 

along an advancing front in the past 30 to 40 years. Field observation suggests 

this pattern of invasion is supplemented in a minor way by seedling establishment 

adjacent to the few mature trees located in the central parts of the grass meadow. 

Tree age data were also collected within each of four 20- by 100-m belt 

transects. A minimum of four dominant trees were sampled within each transect. 

A total of 20 trees were cored. Tree diameters at core height (about 1.47 m) and 

ages of 12 noble fir, 7 Douglas-fir, and 1 western hemlock reflect a major period 

of postwildfire forest establishment from 1909 to 1919. Diameters at core height 

ranged between 49 and 116 cm (19 and 46 in). Tree ages ranged from 66 years old 

to 97 years. Median tree age of the 20 cores was 90 years old. Ages of current forest 

canopy trees were similar for all species. Figure 4 shows the age-class distribution 

of forested stands within the Grass Mountain RNA. 

Grass Mountain RNA is one of the southernmost locations of naturally 

occurring noble fir within the Oregon Coast Range. The noble fir plant community 

may be a relic from past climatic conditions when noble fir was probably more 

widespread in the Oregon Coast Range (Hemstrom and Logan 1986). Noble firdominated plant communities occur sporadically on high peaks and ridges north of 

Grass Mountain into Washington where the community is more prevalent.

Because noble fir often occurs at densities greater than 10 percent on Grass 

Mountain, the noble fir community would fall into the Pacific silver fir series as 

Conifer invasion into 

grass meadow

Tree age data
Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

described by McCain and Diaz (2002). However, McCain and Diaz cautioned, 

“there are places in the Coast Range where noble fir occurs, but Pacific silver 

fir is absent. In this guide [Field Guide to the Forested Plant Associations of the 

Northern Oregon Coast Range], such sites are being treated in the Pacific silver fir 

series.” Both McCain and Diaz (2002) and Hemstrom and Logan (1986) pointed 

out that vegetation of the noble fir community is similar to that of the Pacific 

silver fir series described from the Cascade Mountains. However, Hemstrom and 

Logan (1986) stated, “We do not have a sufficient sample of noble fir dominated 

communities to develop floristic descriptions or assign a plant association name.” 

McCain and Diaz (2002) also discussed limited occurrences of western hemlock 

associations having a noble fir component within the Oregon Coast Range, and both 

of these associations were unclassified. In this guidebook, we treat the noble fir 

component as a community type within the western hemlock association, as Pacific 

silver fir (Abies amabilis) has not been verified to occur on Grass Mountain.

Figure 4—Forest stand age-class distribution within Grass Mountain Research Natural Area.
10

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Data on trees, shrubs, and herbs were used to provisionally classify forest 

plant associations5 and grass meadow plant community types.6 Each transect was 

divided into a 20- by 50-m forest segment and a 20- by 50-m grass meadow segment. Table 2 summarizes the physical features of the four 20- by 100-m transects. 

Tables 3 and 4 document percentage of foliar cover and frequency of understory 

herbs and shrubs7 (cover only). 

Table 2—Physical features of four permanent transects 

in Grass Mountain Research Natural Area

Transect

Transect features 112 113 114 115

Length (m) 100 100 100 100

Elevation (m) 973 947 1043 1048

Aspect (°) 183 130 144 122

Slope grade (%/°) 54/28 52/27 35/19 60/31

Slope position Mid Mid Mid Mid

5 “Plant associations” are described by vegetation having a specific range of biophysical 

environment that is repeated in similar environments across the landscape. Their environment is typically defined by moisture and temperature regimes, light, and soil nutrients 

(McCain and Diaz 2002). Plant association names are based on the dominant and/or 

diagnostic plant species of two or more vegetation layers currently present or having the 

potential to develop barring major environmental or human-induced disturbance. 

6

“Plant community” and “plant community type” refer to current, existing vegetation 

(not future or potential) that occupies specific biophysical environments. These may occur 

in response to natural or human-induced disturbance regimes (e.g., domestic livestock 

grazing, fire suppression, windthrow resulting from timber cutting patterns). Plant community and plant community type names are based on existing (not potential) dominant or 

diagnostic plant species in two or more vegetation layers. 

7 These data are on file at the Salem District office of the Bureau of Land Management, and 

at the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, Oregon.

Figure 5 shows an example of the understory and midcanopy conditions of 

the western hemlock/Oregon oxalis (Tsuga heterophylla/Oxalis oregana) plant 

association taken from forested parts of transect 113 (table 3). Douglas-fir and 

noble fir occupy the forest canopy, and the shade-tolerant western hemlock occurs 

as seedlings, saplings, and subcanopy individual trees. Stand age is approximately 

95 years old. Douglas-fir live-stem diameters range from 52 to 103 cm diameter 

at breast height (d.b.h.). Noble fir live-stem diameters range from 54 to 89 cm 

d.b.h. Douglas-fir is present as standing and downed coarse woody debris. Vine 

maple (Acer circinatum), and hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. californica) occur 

sporadically as tall shrubs. Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is prominent, but patchy, in 

the medium shrub layer. Understory ferns and herbs typically include Oregon oxalis 

Western hemlock/

Oregon oxalis plant 

association
11

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

(Oxalis oregana), starry false-Solomonseal (Maianthemum stellatum), western 

swordfern (Polystichum munitum), three-leaved anemone (Anemone deltoidea), 

and redwoods violet (Viola sempervirens). Based on elevation, soil depth, forest 

overstory composition, and understory tree reproduction, forested portions of belt 

transects 112 and 113 are classified as seral stands of the western hemlock/Oregon 

oxalis plant association (McCain and Diaz 2002).

Table 3—Shrub cover and herbaceous cover and frequency in forested portions of four permanent transects 

in Grass Mountain Research Natural Area

Transect

112 113 114 115

Species Covera Frequencyb Cover Frequency Cover Frequency Cover Frequency

Percent

Shrubs:

Gaultheria shallonc 20 — 6 — — 1 —

Corylus cornuta var. californica 12 — tr — — —

Acer circinatum — 1 — — —

Vaccinium parvifolium — 1 — — —

Herbs, grasses, and ferns:

Maianthemum stellatum 7 41 1 12 38 100 11 53

Oxalis oregana 23 53 17 59

Polystichum munitum 2 12 7 18

Anemone deltoidea 3 35 1 24 1 12 2 35

Viola sempervirens 3 35 1 18 tr 18 2 35

Claytonia sibirica tr 12 tr 6 1 12

Moehringia macrophylla tr 12 tr 6

Viola glabella tr 12 tr 6

Galium oreganum tr 6 tr 6

Bromus vulgaris 1 18

Synthyris reniformis 1 12

Dicentra formosa 1 6

Cardamine sp. tr 12

Asarum caudatum tr 6

Coptis laciniata tr 6

	 Luzula parviflora	 tr 6

Iris chrysophylla tr 6

Campanula scouleri 1 12 1 12

Osmorhiza berteroi tr 12 1 6

Prosartes smithii tr 6 1 6

Vancouveria hexandra 1 6 2 18

Trillium ovatum tr 6

Melica subulata tr 6

	 Clintonia uniflora 1 12 1 18

Xerophyllum tenax 7 18

Rubus ursinus tr 6

Note: tr = trace (<0.5 percent foliar cover); — = not recorded. a

Cover is expressed as percentage of foliar cover; zero values are not included.

b

Frequency is expressed as percentage of occurrence within fifty 20- by 50-cm plots.

c

See appendix 1 for a listing of scientific and common names.
12

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Table 4—Herbaceous cover and frequency in grass meadow portions of four permanent transects in Grass 

Mountain Research Natural Area

Transect

112 113 114 115

Species Covera Frequencyb Cover Frequency Cover Frequency Cover Frequency

Percent

Herbs, grasses, and ferns:

Elymus glaucusc 29 81 20 94 6 56

Carex californica 11 69 16 81 12 81 31 100

Pteridium aquilinum 5 31 7 63 2 19 5 31

Rumex acetosella 1 31 tr 6 8 100 19 94

Maianthemum stellatum 3 25 tr 6 19 63 tr 6

Rubus ursinus 3 38 35 100 14 56

Melica subulata 1 6 2 25 tr 13 1 31

Anemone deltoidea tr 6 tr 6 tr 13 tr 6

Viola adunca tr 13 tr 6 4 50

Festuca roemeri/F. rubra tr 6 tr 6 1 13

Iris chrysophylla 2 19 6 69 2 50

Moehringia macrophylla 1 13 1 25 6 44

Thermopsis montana 1 13

Vancouveria hexandra 1 6

Fragaria virginiana 1 6

	 Nemophila parviflora tr 6

Viola sempervirens tr 6

Oxalis oregana tr 6

Anemone lyallii tr 6

Bromus vulgaris 2 19

Galium oreganum 4 25 1 6

	 Galium triflorum tr 13 1 50

Osmorhiza berteroi 1 6 tr 6

Cardamine sp. tr 25 tr 13

Viola glabella 1 13 3 56 tr 6

Achillaea millefolium 2 19 1 13 4 25

Poa sp. 1 31 tr 6 tr 6

Cerastium arvense 1 13 tr 19 tr 19

Synthyris reniformis 1 6 tr 6 1 6

Poa compressa tr 6 tr 25 tr 6

Claytonia sibirica tr 6 tr 6

Carex pachystachya tr 6 tr 6

	 Oxalis suksdorfii 3 63

Cirsium vulgare 1 13

	 Collinsia parviflora tr 6

Danthonia californica tr 6

Phlox gracilis tr 13 1 6

Lupinus latifolius 5 31

Digitalis purpurea 1 13

Hypochaeris radicata tr 6

Note: tr = trace (<0.5 percent foliar cover).

a

Cover is expressed as percentage of foliar cover; zero values are not included.

b

Frequency is expressed as percentage of occurrence within 50, 20- by 50-cm plots.

c

See appendix 1 for a listing of scientific and common names.
13

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Owing to the paucity of diagnostic shrubs and herbs, no attempt has been 

made to classify plant associations occurring within belt transects 114 and 115 

(table 3), which are located within noble fir forest stands (fig. 3). As an alternative, 

plant community names are provisional and are based solely on current vegetation 

dominants in the tree and herb layers. As such, forested portions of transects 114 

and 115 are seral stands currently dominated by noble fir or noble fir with Douglasfir (transect 115) in the tree layer and starry false-Solomonseal in the herbaceous 

understory (fig. 6). Shrubs are absent or very sparse in these belt transects. A 

provisional community type name for these stands is Abies procera/Maianthemum 

stellatum.

Figure 5—Vegetation of the western hemlock/Oregon oxalis plant association (taken from transect 113). The forest canopy is codominated by Douglas-fir and noble fir. Shade-tolerant western hemlock dominates forest regeneration. Stand age is approximately 

95 years. Douglas-fir live-stem diameters range from 52 to 103 cm. Noble fir live-stem diameters range from 54 to 89 cm diameter 

at breast height. Douglas-fir is present as standing and downed coarse woody debris. In canopy openings, vine maple and hazelnut 

occur sporadically as tall shrubs. Ground vegetation includes Oregon oxalis, starry false-Solomonseal, western swordfern, threeleaved anemone, and redwoods violet. 

Seral noble fir stands
14

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Forested midslopes of Grass Mountain, not sampled by the four transects, have 

not been classified as plant associations or plant community types. This area lies 

within the Tsuga heterophylla Zone (Franklin and Dyrness 1988, McCain and Diaz 

2002) and occupies a broad range of elevations and varied aspects within the RNA. 

It is expected that many plant associations within the Tsuga heterophylla Zone are 

present on Grass Mountain.

Grass meadows occupy the summit ridgeline and adjacent south- to southeastfacing upper slopes of Grass Mountain. Grass meadow vegetation has been 

classified in the Oregon Coast Range by Aldrich (1973), who identified two climax 

plant associations: blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus), and Martindale’s desert parsley 

(Lomatium martindalei); and two seral plant community types: Ross’ sedge (Carex 

rossii) and hook violet (Viola adunca). 

Prominent meadow species on Grass Mountain are a mix of native and introduced species. Common native species include (table 4) blue wildrye (Elymus 

Figure 6—Vegetation of the upper elevation Douglas-fir–noble fir plant community (taken from transect 115). The overstory 

is co-dominated by noble fir and Douglas-fir and is approximately 95 years old. Western hemlock and noble fir regeneration 

predominate in the closed forest. Shrubs are mostly absent. Starry false-Solomonseal forms a dense ground cover.

Grass meadow plant 

composition
15

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

glaucus), California sedge (Carex californica), California brome (Bromus carinatus), bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), starry false-Solomonseal (Maianthemum 

stellatum), slender-tubed iris (Iris chrysophylla), Chamisso sedge (Carex pachystachya), Ross’ sedge (Carex rossii), hook violet, bigleaf sandwort (Moehringia 

macrophylla), and trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus). Nonnative species include 

sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), and Canada 

bluegrass (Poa compressa). 

The conspicuous presence and abundance of nonnative, invasive species such 

as Kentucky bluegrass, Canada bluegrass, and sheep sorrel coupled with native 

species such as bracken fern, which increase with soil disturbance, reflect the 

partial degradation of the grass meadow. This condition has resulted, at least in 

part, from periodic use by domestic livestock during much of the 20th century 

(see “Site History”).

The summit ridgeline of Grass Mountain also supports small areas of rocky 

soil, which are inhabited primarily by herbaceous species. Aldrich (1973) has 

identified this plant community in similar habitats on Grass Mountain and other 

high peaks in the Oregon Coast Range, including Prairie Peak, Roman Nose 

Mountain, and Saddle Mountain. The most common diagnostic plant species that 

occurs in this community type is Lomatium martindalei (Martindale’s desert 

parsley). Other conspicuous native herbs include Lupinus lepidus (prairie lupine), 

Erythronium oregonum (Oregon fawnlily), and the native grass Koeleria macrantha

(prairie junegrass). Nonnative species also characterize this community type. The 

most prominent of these are the herbaceous Hypochaeris radicata (hairy cat’s-ear) 

and two small annual grasses: Aira praecox (little hairgrass) and Aira caryophyllea

(silver hairgrass).

Appendix 1 lists plant species known or likely to occur within Grass Mountain 

RNA. Species lists are arranged by growth form, and both scientific and common 

names are provided. Appendix 2 lists scientific names of fungi likely to occur 

within the RNA based largely on the vegetative and environmental similarities 

between Grass Mountain and the more extensively researched Marys Peak to the 

east (Hawley et al. 1975). 

Fauna

Appendix 3 lists amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and insects likely to occur 

at Grass Mountain RNA. These lists have been compiled from a combination of 

field observations, habitat types present, and species range maps. Together, they 

represent an informed approximation of species expected to occur within or use the 

RNA for portions of their life cycles (Csuti et al. 1997, Hawley et al. 1975). 

Invasive species

“Rock garden” plant 

composition
16

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Disturbance History

The Oregon Coast Range is characterized by a pattern of large-scale (some greater 

than 20,000 ac), infrequent (150- to 300-year mean fire-return interval) standreplacement fires typical of cool moist climates where lightning is uncommon 

(Agee 1990). Drought conditions in the Oregon Coast Range occur infrequently. 

However, during drought periods, lightning plays an increased role in occurrence 

of fire, and fire intensity can be high and lead to extensive stand-destroying crown 

fires (Agee 1993). Almost all natural (i.e., unlogged) coniferous forest stands within 

the northern Oregon Coast Range are first- or multigeneration stands originating 

from fire. Fire has occurred throughout the area in recent times and probably has 

helped maintain the open structure of the grass meadows.

Although the Oregon Coast Range can receive storm winds exceeding 161 km 

per hour (100 mi per hour) (Western Region Climate Center 2006), there is little 

current evidence of large-scale windthrow within the RNA. Damage resulting from 

insects or disease is of minor significance.

Research History

The Grass Mountain grass bald complex was one of six research study areas used 

by Aldrich (1973) in his Ph.D. thesis, “A Chorological Analysis of the Grass Balds 

in the Oregon Coast Range.” Magee (1985) has studied the process of conifer invasion into grass balds along meadow-forest transitions (ecotones) adjacent to noble 

fir stands on Marys Peak, Oregon. Juday (1976) classified old-growth Douglas-fir 

forests in the Oregon Coast Range. This work placed the natural forest stands on 

Grass Mountain into a regional perspective, which subsequently contributed to 

conservation planning by identifying both the unique features and representative 

aspects of the forests on Grass Mountain (Oregon Natural Heritage Program 2003).

Four permanent vegetation plots were established in 2006 to characterize and 

monitor change in forest composition and structure (the project is summarized, 

in part, in tables 1, 2, 3, and 4.) Data are on file at the Salem District office of the 

BLM, and the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 

Corvallis, Oregon.

Although they did not specifically conduct research, Hawley et al. (1975) 

compiled historical land use information and species lists from secondary sources 

as part of a site recommendation made to designate Grass Mountain as an RNA. 
17

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Site History

In the early days of settlement by Euro-Americans, ranchers drove their livestock to 

the top of Grass Mountain to graze their animals as they did in other grass meadows in the Oregon Coast Range. This practice was discontinued, then resumed for 

20 years beginning in 1954. No grazing by domestic livestock has been permitted 

on Grass Mountain since 1974 (USDI BLM 1984).

An Oregon state forestry lookout tower was built on the summit of Grass 

Mountain in the late 1930s. In 1955, BLM clearcut a 3-ha (7.5-ac) area of forest 

immediately adjacent to the lookout tower to improve visibility from the tower. The 

tower was decommissioned and dismantled in 1970 (USDI BLM 1984).

Over the years, Grass Mountain has been visited by hunters, hikers, sightseers, 

picnickers, and, more recently, by all-terrain-vehicle users. In the past, BLM issued 

permits for the collection of noble fir cones but has discontinued this practice. Several private companies and organizations have inquired about using Grass Mountain for communications purposes, especially for radio relay (USDI BLM 1984).

A mineral resource analysis by BLM indicates that lands within the RNA are 

prospectively valuable for oil and gas and salable minerals, but are without value for 

locatable minerals. Sections 20 and 29 are currently under lease for oil and gas. No 

other form of mineral entry is presently in effect. There is no history of minerals 

production on the site (USDI BLM 1984).

Maps and Aerial Photography

Maps applicable to Grass Mountain RNA: 

Topographic—Falls City 7.5 minute 1:24,000 scale, 1974; BLM Salem District 

Westside Recreation Map 1:10,560 1996. 

Aerial photography: 

2003 color 1:12,000 (6-26-2003 BLM 12 0-03-SAL 14-20, 0-20, 21, 24, 25); 1993 

(8-1-1993 BLM 12 0-93-ASC 40-23-27); and 1982 (5-29-1982 BLM 12 0-82-ASC 

9-18 23, 24, 25, 26).

Acknowledgments

We thank Sarah Greene, Claire Hibler, and Hugh Snook for assistance in the field, 

and Dave Calver for assistance in the field and creating maps for this publication. 

We also thank the Salem District, BLM for funding this project and the U.S. Forest 

Service PNW Research Station for publishing this supplement.
18

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

English Equivalents

1 hectare (ha) = 2.47 acres (ac)

1 kilometer (km) = 0.62 mile (mi)

1 meter (m) = 3.28 feet (ft)

1 centimeter (cm) = 0.394 inch (in)

1 millimeter (mm) = 0.0394 inch

References 

Agee, J.K. 1990. The historical role of fire in Pacific Northwest forests. In: 

Walstad, J.; Radosevich, S.; Sandberg, D., eds. Natural and prescribed fire in 

Pacific Northwest forests. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press: 25–38.

Agee, J.K. 1993. Fire ecology of Pacific Northwest Forests. Washington, DC: 

Island Press. 493 p.

Aldrich, F.T. 1973. A chorological analysis of the grass balds in the Oregon Coast 

Range. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. 156 p. Ph.D. dissertation.

Baldwin, E.M. 1955. Geology of the Marys Peak and Alsea quadrangles, Oregon. 

Oil and Gas Inventory Map OM-162. Salem, OR: Oregon Department of 

Geology and Mineral Industries. 

Baldwin, E.M. 1964. Geology of Oregon. 2nd ed. Eugene, OR: University of 

Oregon Cooperative Bookstore. 165 p.

CABI Bioscience; Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures; Landcare Research. 

2006. http://indexfungorum.org. (December 15, 2006).

Csuti, B.; Kimerling, A.J.; O’Neil, T.A.; Shaughnessy, M.M.; Gaines, E.P.; 

Huso, M.M.P. 1997. Atlas of Oregon wildlife. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State 

University Press. 427 p. + map.

Dyrness, C.T.; Franklin, J.F.; Maser, C.; Cook, S.A.; Hall, J.D.; Faxon, G. 

1975. Research natural area needs in the Pacific Northwest: a contribution to 

land-use planning. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-38. Portland, OR: U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment 

Station. 231 p.

Federal Register. 1984. January 3, 1984, Notices. Federal Register. 49(1): 165.

Flora of North America. 2006. Partial nomenclature of vascular plants, ferns, and 

fern allies within Oregon. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=1. 

(November 3, 2006).
19

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Franklin, J.F.; Dyrness C.T. 1988. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington. 

2

nd ed. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press. 452 p.

Hawley, D.; Henderly, H.; McDowell, T.; Schuller, S.R. 1975. Natural area 

inventory of the potential Grass Mountain RNA. Unpublished report. On file 

with: Salem District Office, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land 

Management, 1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, OR 97306.

Hemstrom. M.A.; Logan, S.E. 1986. Plant association and management guide; 

Suislaw National Forest. Tech. Pap. R6-Ecol 220-19861. Portland, OR: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. No 

pagination.

Juday, G.P. 1976. The location, composition, and structure of old-growth forests of 

the Oregon Coast Range. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. 206 p. Ph.D. 

dissertation.

Magee, T.K. 1985. Invasion of trees into a grassy bald on Marys Peak, Oregon, 

Coast Range. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. 165 p. M.S. thesis.

McCain, C.; Diaz, N. 2002. Field guide to the forested plant associations of the 

Northern Oregon Coast Range. Tech. Pap. R6-NR-ECOL-TP-02-02. Portland, 

OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 

250 p.

Oregon Flora Project. 2006. The Oregon plant atlas. http://www.oregonflora.org/

oregonplantatlas.html. (September 22, 2006).

Oregon Natural Heritage Program. 2003. Oregon natural heritage plan. 

Salem, OR: Department of State Lands. 167 p.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service 

[USDA NRCS]. 2006. Soil maps from Benton County, Oregon. http://

websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. (December 15, 2006)

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management [USDI BLM]. 

1984. Draft Grass Mountain RNA management plan. On file with: Salem 

District office, USDI Bureau of Land Management, 1717 Fabry Road SE, 

Salem, OR 97306.

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management [USDI BLM]. 

1996. Research natural areas in Washington and Oregon. 2nd ed. BLM/OR/WA/

PL-96/016+1792. Portland, OR: 74 p.

Western Region Climate Center. 2006. Oregon climate data. http://www.wrcc.dri.

edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?orfall. (December 10, 2006).
20

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Appendix 1: Plants

Table 5—Plants known or expected to occur within Grass Mountain Research 

Natural Areaa b

Scientific name Common name 

Coniferous trees:

Abies amabilis (Dougl.) Forbes Pacific silver fir

Abies procera Rehder Noble fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco. Douglas-fir

Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. Western hemlock

Deciduous trees >8 m (26.3 ft) tall:

Acer macrophyllum Pursh Bigleaf maple

Alnus rubra Bong. Red alder

Prunus emarginata (Dougl.) Walpers Bitter cherry

Rhododendron macrophyllum G. Don Pacific rhododendron

Tall shrubs 2 to 8 m (6.6 to 26.3 ft) tall:

Acer circinatum Pursh Vine maple

Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Serviceberry

Chrysolepis chrysophylla (Dougl. ex Hook.) Hjelmqvist Golden chinquapin

Corylus cornuta L. var. californica (DC.) Sharp Hazelnut

Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. Oceanspray

Medium shrubs 0.5 to 2 m (1.6 to 6.6 ft) tall:

Gaultheria shallon Pursh Salal

Ribes bracteosum Dougl. Stink currant

Rosa gymnocarpa Nutt. Baldhip rose

Rubus spectabilis Pursh Salmonberry

Symphoricarpos alba (L.) Blake Common snowberry

Vaccinium membranaceum Dougl. ex Hook. Blue huckleberry

Vaccinium parvifolium Smith Red huckleberry

Low shrubs <0.5 m (1.6 ft) tall:

Berberis nervosa Pursh Oregongrape

Chimaphila menziesii (R. Br.) Spreng. Little Prince’s-pine

Linnaea borealis L. var. longiflora Torr. Western twinflower

Ferns and allies:

Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth. Lady fern

Blechnum spicant (L.) With. Deerfern

Lycopodium clavatum L. Runningpine club moss

Polypodium glycyrrhiza DC. Eat. Licorice fern

Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) Presl Western swordfern

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. Bracken fern

Herbs:

Achillea millefolium L. Yarrow

Achlys triphylla (Smith) DC. Vanilla leaf

Actaea rubra (Ait.) Willd. Western red baneberry

Adenocaulon bicolor Hook. Pathfinder

Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) B. & H. Pearly-everlasting

Anemone deltoidea Hook. Three-leaved anemone

Anemone lyallii Britt. Lyall’s anemone
21

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Scientific name Common name 

Aquilegia formosa Fisch. Red columbine

Arabis sp. Rockcress

Arnica latifolia Bong. Broadleaf arnica

Asarum caudatum Lindl. Wild ginger

Campanula scouleri Hook. ex A. DC. Scouler’s harebell

Cardamine sp. Toothwort

Cardamine nuttallii Greene Slender toothwort

Cerastium arvense (L.) Scop. Field chickweed

Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. Sticky chickweed

Circaea alpina L. Alpine circaea

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada thistle

Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore Bull thistle

Claytonia perfoliata (Donn) Howell Miner’s lettuce

Claytonia sibirica (L.) Howell Siberian miner’s lettuce

Clintonia uniflora (Schult.) Kunth Bride’s bonnet

Collinsia parviflora Lindl. Small-flowered blue-eyed-Mary

Collomia heterophylla Hook. Varied-leaf collomia

Coptis laciniata Gray Cut-leaf goldthread

Corallorhiza mertensiana Bong. Pacific coralroot

Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr. Smooth hawksbeard

Delphinium menziesii DC. Menzies’ larkspur

Dicentra formosa (Andr.) Walpers Pacific bleedingheart 

Digitalis purpurea L. Foxglove

Epilobium angustifolium L. Fireweed

Epilobium brachycarpum C. Presl Tall annual willowherb

Erythronium oregonum Appleg. Oregon fawnlily

Fragaria vesca L. var. bracteata (Heller) Davis Woods strawberry

Fragaria virginiana Duchesne var. platypetala (Rydb.) Hall Broadpetal strawberry

Galium boreale L. Northern bedstraw

Galium oreganum Britt. Oregon bedstraw

Galium triflorum Michx. Sweetscented bedstraw

Goodyera oblongifolia Raf. Western rattlesnake plantain

Hieracium albiflorum Hook. White-flowered hawkweed

Hydrophyllum tenuipes Heller Slender-stem waterleaf

Hypochaeris radicata L. Hairy cat’s-ear

Iris chrysophylla Slender-tubed iris

Lilium columbianum Hanson Tiger lily

Listera caurina Piper Western twayblade

Listera cordata (L.) R. Br. Heart-leaf twayblade

Lomatium martindalei Coult. & Rose Martindale’s desert parsley

Lotus micranthus Benth. Field lotus

Lupinus latifolius Agardh. Broadleaf lupine

Lupinus lepidus Dougl. Prairie lupine

Maianthemum stellatum (L.) Desf. Starry false-Solomonseal

Mimulus dentatus Nutt. ex Benth. Tooth-leaved monkeyflower

Mitella ovalis Greene Oval-leaved mitrewort

Moehringia macrophylla (Hook.) Fenzl Bigleaf sandwort

Monotropa hypopithys Pinesap

Montia parvifolia (Moc.) Greene Streambank springbeauty

Nemophila parviflora Dougl. ex Benth. Smallflower nemophila
22

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Scientific name Common name 

Orthocarpus pusillus Benth. Dwarf owl-clover

Osmorhiza berteroi DC. Mountain sweet-cicely

Oplopanax horridus (Smith) Miq. Devilsclub

Oxalis oregana Nutt. Oregon oxalis

Oxalis suksdorfii Trel. Western yellow oxalis

Penstemon ovatus Dougl. Egg-leaf penstemon

Penstemon rattanii Gray Coast penstemon

Phacelia hastata Dougl. Silverleaf phacelia

Phlox gracilis (Hook.) Greene Slender phlox

Prosartes smithii (Hook.) Utech, Shinwari & Kawano Smith’s fairybells

Pyrola picta Smith Whitevein pyrola

Ranunculus uncinatus D. Don Little buttercup

Rubus ursinus Cham. & Schlecth. Trailing blackberry

Rumex acetosella L. Sheep sorrel, sour weed

Scrophularia californica Cham. & Schlect. California figwort

Stachys cooleyae Heller Cooley’s hedge-nettle

Stachys mexicana Benth. Mexican hedge-nettle

Stellaria crispa Cham. & Schlect. Crisped starwort

Synthyris reniformis (Dougl.) Benth. Snow queen

Thermopsis montana Nutt. Mountain thermopsis

Tiarella trifoliata L. Threeleaf foamflower

Tolmiea menziesii (Pursh) T. & G. Piggyback plant

Trautvetteria caroliniensis (Walt.) Vail False bugbane

Trientalis latifolia Hook. Starflower

Trillium ovatum Pursh Western trillium

Vancouveria hexandra (Hook.) Morr. & Dcne. Inside-out flower

Veratrum insolitum Jepson Siskyou false-hellebore

Veronica arvensis L. Common speedwell

Veronica serpyllifolia L. Thymeleaf speedwell

Viola adunca Sm. Hook violet

Viola glabella Nutt. Stream violet; yellow wood violet

Viola sempervirens Greene Redwoods violet

Xerophyllum tenax (Pursh) Nutt. Common beargrass

Grasses, sedges, and rushes:

Agrostis exarata Trin. Spike bentgrass

Aira caryophyllea L. Silver hairgrass

Aira praecox L. Little hairgrass

Anthoxanthum odoratum L. Sweet vernalgrass

Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn. California brome

Bromus vulgaris (Hook.) Shear Columbia brome

Carex californica L.H. Bailey California sedge

Carex hendersonii L.H. Bailey Henderson’s sedge

Carex pachystachya Cham. Chamisso sedge

Carex rossii Boott Ross’ sedge

Danthonia californica Boland California danthonia

Elymus glaucus Buckl. Blue wildrye

Festuca roemeri (Pavlick) Alexeev Roemer’s fescue

Festuca occidentalis Hook. Western fescue

Festuca rubra L. Red fescue

Glyceria striata (Lam.) A. Hitchc. Tall mannagrass
23

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Scientific name Common name 

Hierochloe occidentalis Buckl. California sweetgrass

Holcus lanatus L. Common velvetgrass

Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) JA Schultes Prairie junegrass

Luzula multiflora (Ehrh.) Lejeune ssp. multiflora Common woodrush

Luzula parviflora (Ehrh.) Desv. Small-flowered woodrush

Melica subulata (Griseb.) Scribn. Alaska oniongrass

Poa annua L. Annual bluegrass

Poa compressa L. Canada bluegrass

Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass

Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Durmort. Tall fescue

Scirpus microcarpus Presl Panicled bulrush

Trisetum cernuum Trin. Nodding trisetum

a

Compiled from numerous sources. Taxa are known or expected to occur within the Grass Mountain Research 

Natural Area. 

b

Nomenclature for vascular plants, ferns, and fern-allies follows the Flora of North America Web site (2006) 

and the Oregon Flora Project Web site (2006).
24

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Appendix 2: Fungia b

Grass meadows (grass balds):

Phycomycetes

 Endogonaceae

 Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxt.) Gerd. & Trappe

 Glomus macrocarpum Tul. & C. Tul.

 Glomus microcarpum Tul. & C. Tul.

 Glomus mosseae (T.H. Nicolson & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trapp

Noble fir (Abies procera) forest:

Phycomycetes

 Endogonaceae

 Endogone flammicorona Trappe & Gerd.

 Endogone lactiflua Berk.

 Endogone pisiformis Berk.

Ascomycetes

 Tuberales

 Fischerula subcaulis Trappe

 Geopora cooperi Harkn.

 Hydnotrya variiformis Gilkey

 Tuber spp.

 Elaphomycetaceae

 Elaphomyces granulatus Fr.

 Elaphomyces muricatus Fr.

 Basidiomycetes

 Gasteromycetes

 Alpova diplophloeus (Zeller & Dodge) Trappe & A.H. Sm.

 Alpova luteus (Zeller) Trappe

 Endoptychum depressum Singer & A.H. Sm.

 Gastroboletus turbinatus (Snell) Singer & A.H. Sm.

 Gastropila fumosa (Zeller) P. Ponce de Leon

 Gastropila subcretacea (Zeller) P. Ponce de Leon

 Gautieria graveolens Vittad.

 Gautieria monticola Harkn.

 Hymenogaster spp.

 Hysterangium darkeri Zeller

 Hysterangium separabile Zeller

 Leucogaster magnatus Zeller

 Martellia spp.

 Rhizopogon spp.

 Thaxterogaster pinguis (Zeller) Singer & A.H. Sm.
25

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

 Agaricales & Aphyllophorales

 Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam.

 Amanita pantherina (DC.) Krombh.

 Amanita vaginata (Bull.) Lam.

 Boletus edulis Bull. 

 Cantharellus cibarius Fr.

 Cortinarius semisanguineus (Fr.) Gillet

 Gomphidius spp.

 Hydnum imbricatum L.

 Hygrophorus spp.

 Inocybe spp.

 Laccaria amethystina (Bull.) Murrill

 Laccaria laccata (Scop.) Fr.

 Lactarius spp.

 Lepiota spp.

 Mycena spp.

 Phaeocollybia spp.

 Pholiota spp.

 Polyporus spp.

 Pseudohydnum gelatinosum (Scop.) P. Karst.

 Ramaria spp.

 Russula spp.

 Tricholoma spp.

a

Reported in Hawley et al. 1975. List compiled by James Trappe on Marys Peak, Oregon. Similarity in elevation, 

geographic proximity, and presence of comparable habitats between Grass Mountain and Marys Peak suggest 

the probability of occurrence on Grass Mountain. This list is incomplete.

b

Nomenclature for fungi follows CABI Bioscience, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, and Landcare 

Research Web site (2006).
26

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Appendix 3: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals, and 

Insects

Table 6—Animals known or expected to occur within Grass Mountain Research 

Natural Areaa b

 Order Scientific name Common name

Amphibians:

Caudata Ambystoma gracile Northwestern salamander

Ambystoma macrodactylum Long-toed salamander

Aneides ferreus Clouded salamander

Dicamptodon tenebrosus Pacific giant salamander

Ensatina eschscholtzi Ensatina

Plethodon dunni Dunn’s salamander

Plethodon vehiculum Western redback salamander

Rhyacotriton variegatus Southern torrent salamander

Taricha granulosa Rough-skinned newt

Anura Ascaphus truei Tailed frog

Bufo boreas Western toad

Pseudacris regilla Pacific chorus frog

Rana aurora Red-legged frog

Reptiles:

Squamata Elgaria coerulea Northern alligator lizard

Charina bottae Rubber boa

Coluber constrictor Racer

Contia tenuis Sharptail snake

Eumeces skiltonianus Western skink

Sceloporus occidentalis Western fence lizard

Thamnophis elegans Western terrestrial garter snake

Thamnophis ordinoides Northwestern garter snake

Thamnophis sirtalis Common garter snake

Birds:

Falconiformes Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s hawk

Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawk

Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned hawk

Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk

Cathartes aura Turkey vulture

Circus cyaneus Northern harrier

Falco sparverius American kestrel

Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle

Galliformes Bonasa umbellus Ruffed grouse

Callipepla californica California quail

Dendragapus obscurus Blue grouse

Oreortyx pictus Mountain quail

Phasianus colchicus Ring-necked pheasant

Charadriiformes Actitis macularia Spotted sandpiper

Brachyramphus marmoratus Marbled murrelet

Charadrius vociferus Killdeer

Columbiformes Columba fasciata Band-tailed pigeon

Zenaida macroura Mourning dove
27

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Order Scientific name Common name

Strigiformes Aegolius acadicus Northern saw-whet owl

Bubo virginianus Great-horned owl

Glaucidium gnoma Northern pygmy owl

Otus kennicottii Western screech-owl

Strix occidentalis Spotted owl

Strix varia Barred owl

Caprimulgiformes Chordeiles minor Common nighthawk

Apodiformes Chaetura vauxi Vaux’s swift

Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbird

Coraciiformes Ceryle alcyon Belted kingfisher

Piciformes Colaptes auratus Northern flicker

Dryocopus pileatus Pileated woodpecker

Picoides pubescens Downy woodpecker

Picoides villosus Hairy woodpecker

Sphyrapicus ruber Red-breasted sapsucker

Passeriformes Bombycilla cedrorum Cedar waxwing

Carduelis pinus Pine siskin

Carduelis tristis American goldfinch

Carpodacus purpureus Purple finch

Catharus ustulatus Swainson’s thrush

Certhia americana Brown creeper

Chamaea fasciata Wrentit

Cinclus mexicanus American dipper

Coccothraustes vespertinus Evening grosbeak

Contopus borealis Olive-sided flycatcher

Contopus sordidulus Western wood peewee

Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow

Corvus corax Common raven

Cyanocitta stelleri Steller’s jay

Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped warbler

Dendroica nigrescens Black-throated gray warbler

Dendroica occidentalis Hermit warbler

Dendroica petechia Yellow warbler

Empidonax difficilis Pacific-slope flycatcher

Empidonax hammondii Hammond’s flycatcher

Empidonax traillii Willow flycatcher

Geothlypis trichas Common yellowthroat

Ixoreus naevius Varied thrush

Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed junco

Loxia curvirostra Red crossbill

Melospiza melodia Song sparrow

Molothrus ater Brown-headed cowbird

Myadestes townsendi Townsend’s solitaire

Oporornis tolmiei MacGillivray’s warbler

Parus atricapillus Black-capped chickadee

Parus rufescens Chestnut-backed chickadee

Perisoreus canadensis Gray jay

Pheucticus melanocephalus Black-headed grosbeak

Pipilo maculatus Spotted towhee

Piranga rubra Western tanager

Progne subis Purple martin
28

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-732

Order Scientific name Common name

Psaltriparus minimus Bushtit

Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned kinglet

Sialia mexicana Western bluebird

Sitta canadensis Red-breasted nuthatch

Spizella passerina Chipping sparrow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis Northern rough-winged swallow

Tachycineta bicolor Tree swallow

Tachycineta thalassina Violet-green swallow

Thryomanes bewickii Bewick’s wren

Troglodytes aedon House wren

Troglodytes troglodytes Winter wren

Turdus migratorius American robin

Vermivora celata Orange-crowned warbler

Vermivora ruficapilla	 Nashville warbler

Vireo gilvus Warbling vireo

Vireo huttoni Hutton’s vireo

Vireo solitarius Solitary vireo

Wilsonia pusilla Wilson’s warbler

Zonotrichia leucophrys White-crowned sparrow

Mammals:

Didelphimorphia Didelphis virginiana Virginia opossum

Insectivora Neurotrichus gibbsii Shrew-mole

Scapanus orarius Coast mole

Scapanus townsendii Townsend’s mole

Sorex bairdi Baird’s shrew

Sorex bendirii Pacific marsh shrew

Sorex pacificus	 Pacific shrew

Sorex sonomae Fog shrew

Sorex trowbridgii Trowbridge’s shrew

Sorex vagrans Vagrant shrew

Chiroptera Corynorhinus townsendii Townsend’s big-eared bat

Eptesicus fuscus Big brown bat

Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver-haired bat

Lasiurus cinereus Hoary bat

Myotis californicus California myotis

Myotis evotis Long-eared myotis

Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotis

Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotis

Myotis volans Long-legged myotis

Myotis yumanensis Yuma myotis

Lagomorpha Lepus americanus Snowshoe hare

Sylvilagus bachmani Brush rabbit

Rodentia Aplodontia rufa Mountain beaver

Castor canadensis American beaver

Clethrionomys californicus Western red-backed vole

Erethizon dorsatum Common porcupine

Glaucomys sabrinus Northern flying squirrel

Microtus longicaudus Long-tailed vole

Microtus oregoni Creeping vole

Microtus townsendii Townsend’ vole

Neotoma cinerea Bushy-tailed woodrat
29

Grass Mountain Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 32

Order Scientific name Common name

Neotoma fuscipes Dusky-footed woodrat

Peromyscus maniculatus Deer mouse

Phenacomys albipes White-footed vole

Phenacomys longicaudus Red tree vole

Spermophilus beecheyi California ground squirrel

Tamias townsendii Townsend’s chipmunk

Tamiasciurus douglasii Douglas’ squirrel

Thomomys mazama Western pocket gopher

Zapus trinotatus Pacific jumping mouse

Carnivora Canis latrans Coyote

Felis concolor Mountain lion

Lutra canadensis Northern river otter

Lynx rufus Bobcat

Martes americana American marten

Mephitis mephitis Striped skunk

Mustela erminea Ermine

Mustela frenata Long-tailed weasel

Mustela vison Mink

Odocoileus hemionus ssp. columbianus Black-tailed deer

Procyon lotor Common raccoon

Spilogale gracilis Western spotted skunk

Urocyon cinereoargenteus Common gray fox

Ursus americanus Black bear

Vulpes vulpes Red fox

Artiodactyla Cervus elaphus Elk

Insects:3 4

Hemiptera Acalypta barberi Barber’s lace bug

Acalypta saundersi Saunders’ lace bug

Allorhinocoris flavus

Blissus occiduus Buffalograss chinch bug

Derephysia foliacea Foliaceous lace bug

Irlusia perricans

Leptopterna ferrugata

Mecomma giluiper

Mimaceps insigoris

Pithanus maerkeli

Stenocorus pedestris

Trapezonatus spp.

Grylloblattidae Grylloblatta spp.

Mecoptera Brachypanorpa oregonensis

Boreus brevicaudis

Orthoptera Boonacris spp. Grasshopper

Homoptera Errhomus spp. Leafhopper

Evacanthus spp.

1

Nomenclature, distribution and habitat characteristics taken from Csuti et al. 1997. Atlas of Oregon Wildlife. 

Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press, 492 p. + map.

2

Taxa are known or expected to occur based upon geographic range, elevation, and habitat availability.

3

Reported in Hawley et al. 1975. List compiled by Dr. J.D. Lattin in 1975 as “an extremely abbreviated list” based 

on similarity in elevation, geographic proximity, and presence of comparable habitats between Grass Mountain and 

Marys Peak, Oregon. This list is incomplete.

4

Common names are often unavailable for many insect species.

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/

Telephone (503) 808-2592

Publication requests (503) 808-2138

FAX (503) 808-2130

E-mail pnw_pnwpubs@fs.fed.us

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Pacific Northwest Research Station

P.O. Box 3890

Portland, OR 97208-3890
U.S. Department of Agriculture

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