Upper Elk Meadows

Research Natural Area:

Guidebook Supplement 43

Reid Schuller and Cheshire Mayrsohn

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest 

Research Station

General Technical Report 

PNW-GTR-874

April 2013

DEPAR TMENT OF AGRICULT URE
Authors

Reid Schuller is a plant ecologist, Western Stewardship Science Institute, P.O. 

Box 1173, Bend, OR 97709. Cheshire Mayrsohn is a botanist with the Upper 

Willamette Resource Area, Eugene District, Bureau of Land Management, 

Springfield, OR 97477. The Pacific Northwest Research Station is publishing this 

guidebook as part of a continuing series of guidebooks on federal research natural 

areas begun in 1972.

Cover photograph: Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area (RNA). Oblique 

aerial view looking west into Rock Creek drainage. By Reid Schuller.

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, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual 

orientation, marital status, family status, status as a parent (in education and training 

programs and activities), because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any 

public assistance program, or retaliation. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs or 

activities.)

If you require this information in alternative format (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), 

contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD).

If you require information about this program, activity, or facility in a language other than 

English, contact the agency office responsible for the program or activity, or any USDA 

office.

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call toll free, (866) 

632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal relay 

at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). You may use USDA 

Program Discrimination Complaint Forms AD-3027 or AD-3027s (Spanish) which can be 

found at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or upon request from a local 

Forest Service office. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 
Abstract

Schuller, Reid; Mayrsohn, Cheshire. 2013. Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural 

Area: guidebook supplement 43. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-874. Portland, OR: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research 

Station. 35 p. 

This guidebook describes Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area (RNA), a 

90-ha (223-ac) area that supports a mixture of coniferous forest and open, shruband herb-dominated wetlands. The major forest plant association present within 

Upper Elk Meadows RNA is Pacific silver fir/vine maple/coolwort foamflower 

(Abies amabilis/Acer circinatum-Tiarella trifoliata).

Keywords: Research natural area, area of critical environmental concern, 

old-growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), old-growth Pacific silver fir 

(Abies amabilis), freshwater seep, wet meadow, fen, Umpqua swertia (Frasera 

umpquaensis), Pacific silver fir/vine maple/coolwort foamflower (Abies amabilis/

Acer circinatum/Tiarella trifoliata) plant association, Sitka alder (Alnus viridis) 

streamside community. 
Preface

The research natural area (RNA) described in this supplement1 is administered 

by the Eugene District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Department 

of the Interior.

Upper Elk Meadows RNA is part of a federal system2

 of natural areas established for research and educational purposes.3

 Of the 183 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). 

This report is a supplement to the guidebook. 

Each RNA is a site where elements4 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 for those that are 

rare and endangered.

The guiding principle in managing RNAs is to maintain natural ecological 

processes or conditions for which the site is designated. Activities that impair scientific or educational values are not permitted within RNAs. Management practices 

necessary to maintain or restore ecosystems may be allowed.5

1 Supplement No. 43 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 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. In addition, the federal agencies cooperate with state agencies 

and private organizations in Oregon and Washington in the Pacific Northwest Interagency 

Natural Area Committee. Taken from Wilson, T.M.; Schuller, R.; Holmes, R.; Pavola, C.; 

Fimbel, R.A.; McCain, C.N.; Gamon, J.G.; Speaks, P.; Seevers, J.I.; DeMeo, T.E.; Gibbons, 

S. 2009. Interagency strategy for the Pacific Northwest Natural Areas Network. Gen. 

Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-798. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Pacific Northwest Research Station. 33 p.

3 See Wilson et al. (2009) for a more complete discussion of rationale for establishment of 

RNAs.

4 Elements are the basic units to be represented in a natural area system. An element may 

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-38. Portland, 

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

Experiment Station. 231 p.

5 See Wilson et al. (2009) for a discussion of management direction and strategies which 

guide management of federal RNA.
Federal RNAs provide a unique system of publicly owned and protected 

examples of relatively unmodified ecosystems where scientists can conduct research 

with minimal interference and reasonable assurance that investments in longterm studies will not be lost to logging, land development, or similar activities. 

Scientists and educators wishing to visit or use Upper Elk Meadows for scientific 

or educational purposes should contact the Eugene BLM district office 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.

A scientist or educator wishing to use the RNA is obligated to:

• Obtain permission from the appropriate administering agency before using 

the area.

• 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 this approval process is to:

• Ensure that the ecological integrity and scientific and educational values of 

the tract are not compromised.

• Allow the agency to document research or educational use of the tract.

• Help promote the dissemination and use of information collected at the site.

• Avoid conflict between ongoing studies and activities.

Appropriate uses of RNAs are determined by the administering agency. 

Destructive analysis of vegetation is generally not allowed, nor are studies requiring extensive substrate modification such as extensive soil excavation. Collection 

of plant and animal specimens is generally restricted to voucher specimens or 

approved research activities. Under no circumstances may collecting significantly 

reduce species populations. Collecting must also be carried out in accordance with 

all other federal and state agency regulations.
Contents

1 Introduction

3 Access and Accommodations

3 Environment

6 Climate

7 Vegetation

14 Fauna

14 Disturbance History

14 Research History

15 Maps 

15 Acknowledgments

15 English Equivalents

16 References 

20 Appendix 1: Plants

27 Appendix 2: Lichens

29 Appendix 3: Bryophytes

32 Appendix 4: Fungi

33 Appendix 5: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals
1

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Introduction

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area (RNA) is a 90-ha (223-ac) area located 

in Lane County, Oregon (fig. 1). The site was established in 1984 as an RNA (Curtis 

1986). The designation was reaffirmed by the Eugene District Resource Management Plan along with an increase in size of the area (USDI BLM 1995). 

A short guidebook was written for the area in 1986 (Curtis 1986). Since that 

time, additional information has been compiled, including surveys of lichens (Hardman 2010, Neitlich and McCune 1995, Widmer and Walker 1997–1998), bryophytes 

(Hardman 2010, Widmer and Walker 1997–1998), and fungi (USDI BLM 2011, 

Widmer and Walker 1997–1998). Long-term vegetation monitoring was established 

in 2000 (Schuller et al. 2000) and remeasured in 2008 (Schuller and Greene 2008). 

Recent publication of a plant association1

 guide for the west side central Cascades 

of northwest Oregon (McCain and Diaz 2002) provides an ecoregional framework 

from which native vegetation within the RNA may be classified and characterized. 

Publication of the Oregon Natural Areas Plan in 2010 (ONHAC 2010) provides 

a statewide and ecoregional framework from which the importance of the biotic 

features represented within the RNA may be assessed. 

The RNA was designated as an area of critical environmental concern (ACEC) 

and as an RNA based on the presence of a variety of vegetation communities representative of the western Cascades ecoregion (Dyrness et al. 1975, ONHAC 2010) 

(see app. 1 for scientific and common names). These are listed in the 2010 Natural 

Heritage Plan (ONHAC 2010) as:

• Pacific silver fir/vine maple (Abies amabilis/Acer circinatum) forest 

plant association

• Forb flush on seepage slope

• Sitka alder/lady fern (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata/Athyrium filix-femina) swamp

In addition, the RNA supports a population of Umpqua swertia (Frasera

umpquaensis) (Loring 2010, Wilson et al. 2010), a sensitive plant species (ONHAC 

2010, USFS/BLM 2011) in Oregon.

1 Plant associations are named based on a combination of the dominant life form plus the 

characteristic or dominant plant species in the various plant layers (trees, shrubs, and 

herbs). Plant association acronyms are a shorthand form for communicating the plant 

association name. Each acronym is made up of the first two letters of the genus name of the 

dominant or characteristic species within a layer, and combined with the first two letters 

of the specific epithet of the species (e.g., Abies amabilis is shortened to ABAM). Plant 

associations are generally defined by the dominant or characteristic species which occupies 

or has the biological potential to occupy the uppermost vegetation layer. In forested plant 

associations, this is the tree layer. Additional names are used for understory layers when 

they contain dominant, characteristic, or diagnostic species (e.g., Pacific silver fir/vine 

maple/oneleaf foamflower = Abies amabilis/Acer circinatum/Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata = ABAM/ACCI/TITRUN). Life form layers are separated by a “/”. Co-dominants 

within a layer are separated by a hyphen. 
2

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

23-3-5.4

23-3-12

(BLM 23-3-5.4)

23-2-35.1

Big River Rd

OREGON

Sixth St

Exit 172: 

 Sixth St/Cottage Grove Lake

Cottage Grove

WI-5

Cottage 

Grove 

Lake

London Rd

London Rd

99

Upper Elk

Meadows

RNA

Eugene

o

0 2.5 5 10 Kilometers

WI-5

Figure 1—Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area (RNA) location and access.
3

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Access and Accommodations

The RNA is located in Section 35, Township 23 South, Range 2 West, Willamette 

Meridian, in Douglas County, Oregon. The tract is located approximately 60 km (37 

mi) air mile south southeast of Eugene, Oregon. To reach the site from Eugene, proceed 36 km (22.5 mi) south on Interstate 5 to the Sixth St./Cottage Grove Lake exit 

(Exit 172). Turn left onto Sixth St. and cross over Interstate 5. At this point, Sixth 

St. turns into London Road. Continue south for 23 km (14 mi) to (BLM) Big River 

access road 23-3-5.4. Travel east on the Big River access road for approximately 22 

km (13.5 mi) to BLM road 23-2-35.1, which is the northern boundary of the RNA 

(USDI BLM 1983) (fig. 1). 

Prior to visiting the site, obtain permission to access the area for research or 

educational purposes at the BLM, Eugene District office in Springfield, Oregon. 

Maps and additional directions to the area are available at the district office. A gate 

key is required to access the RNA.

The purposes of the approval process for research and monitoring on RNAs are: 

• To ensure that the ecological integrity of the RNA or other purposes 

for which the RNA was designated are not damaged by research or 

related activities. 

• To provide information to scientists about other research occurring on the 

RNA so that potential collaborations may be fostered and conflicts avoided. 

• To ensure that protection and site integrity for the individual scientific 

study, especially permanent plots, are maintained. 

• To maintain records of research activities and research results to benefit the 

BLM, other agencies, and future researchers (Wilson et al. 2009). 

Lodging is available in Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove, and Creswell, Oregon.

Environment 

The RNA is situated along the upper slope of the Calapooya Divide, a westerly 

trending ridge system that extends from the heart of the western Cascade Mountains to the upper end of the Coast Fork of the Willamette River. South-facing 

exposures predominate on the site although areas of north, west, and east exposures 

are also present in minor amounts. Slopes range from gentle to steep (fig. 2). Nine 

springs (fig. 3) arise within the RNA and join their flows to form the headwaters 

of Rock Creek, which flows southwest through the site and exits in the southwest 

corner (Curtis 1986, USDI BLM 1983). Elevations range from 1337 m (4,385 ft) in 

the eastern portion of the tract to 1213 m (3,980 ft) along the southwestern RNA 

boundary. 
4

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Figure 2—Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area (RNA) topography and hydrology.
5

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Figure 3—One of several springs percolating to the surface within the wet meadows of Upper Elk Meadows Research 

Natural Area.

Reid Schuller
6

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

The RNA is underlain by rocks of the Little Butte Volcanic Series deposited 

during the Oligocene and early Miocene epochs. These rocks include gray-colored 

andesite flows interbedded with breccias and other pyroclastics (Peck et al. 1964). 

Small bedrock outcrops are exposed in the southwest corner of the tract adjacent to 

Rock Creek, and near the northern RNA boundary along BLM road 23-3-5.4 (USDI 

BLM 1983). 

Some areas adjacent to the wet meadow have poorly drained soils because of 

the gentle relief and abundance of water. The adjacent forest areas dominated by 

Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis) and grand fir (Abies grandis) are open, probably as 

a result of a high water table (Curtis 1986).

Forested portions of the RNA include the deep, well-drained Oneonta-Keel soil 

complex. These soils are derived from the underlying basic igneous rocks. A typical 

soil profile appears in table 1 (USDA NRCS 2012). Meadow soils are clay waterlogged soils and are classified as either Histic Cryaquepts or Typic Cryaquents. 

Snowmelt water infiltrates meadow soils until it encounters an impermeable layer 

of pyroclastic rock. Water flows laterally on this rock and surfaces at several 

locations within the meadows. This cold, slow-moving water is responsible for the 

anaerobic conditions that produce the sometimes mottled blue clay meadow soils 

and the overlying peat layer. The peat layer is discontinuous but is as thick as 410 

mm (16 in) deep (USDI BLM 1983).

Climate

The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters. The 

July mean maximum temperature is 27 °C (81 °F), and the January mean minimum 

temperature is 1.6 °C (32 °F). Annual precipitation averages about 1520 mm (60 

in) with 70 percent occurring from November through March (USDI BLM 1983). 

Vegetation plots supporting the Pacific silver fir/vine maple/coolwort foamflower 

plant association present at Upper Elk Meadows average 2108 mm (83 in) of annual 

precipitation (McCain and Diaz 2002). No data are available on the percentage of 

annual precipitation that occurs as snow; however, snowpack depth between 610 

mm to 910 mm (2 to 3 ft) has been measured in late December and early May. 

Prevailing winds from the southwest are associated with storms, which move across 

the area from late fall through early spring (USDI BLM 1983). 

Table 1—Typical soil profile of Oneonta soil series, 3 to 30 percent slopes

Layer depth Description

0 to 5 cm (0 to 2 in) Slightly decomposed plant material

5 to 18 cm (2 to 7 in) Gravelly loam

18 to 91 cm (7 to 36 in) Loam

91 to 152 cm (36 to 60 in) Loam
7

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Vegetation 

The RNA supports a mosaic of open and shrub-covered wet meadows surrounded 

by old-growth conifer forest (fig. 4). Open, wet sedge meadows (fig. 5) are dominated by woodrush sedge (Carex luzulina), star sedge (C. echinata), panicled 

bulrush (Scirpus microcarpus), and a variety of herbaceous species. Typical herbs 

include American bistort (Bistorta bistortoides), western dock (Rumex occidentalis), 

white marsh marigold (Caltha leptosepala), Tinker’s penny (Hypericum anagalloides), western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis), and coastal brookfoam 

(Boykinia occidentalis). Table 2 summarizes plant species composition along 

four permanent transects that extend through the open- and shrub-dominated wet 

meadows at Upper Elk Meadows (Curtis 1986, Schuller and Greene 2008). 

Dense shrub thickets occur throughout the wet meadows in varying species 

combinations (McCain and Christy 2005). Major species include Sitka alder (Alnus 

viridis ssp. sinuata), Geyer willow (Salix geyeriana), Scouler’s willow (Salix 

scouleriana), Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis), and Suksdorf’s hawthorn (Crataegus 

suksdorfii) (Loring and Whitridge 2010, Schuller and Greene 2008). Shrubs appear 

to be invading the open wet meadows, especially in areas of deeper snow accumulation adjacent to forests dominated by Pacific silver fir and grand fir (Curtis 

1986). In addition, small deciduous trees have become established in the meadows, 

including: Oregon crabapple (Pyrus fusca), bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata), and 

western mountain ash (Sorbus sitchensis). Together, the two wetland vegetation 

types occupy 16-ha (41 ac) within the central portions of the RNA. 

A narrow 29-ha (71 ac) band of Pacific silver fir-grand fir forest surrounds the 

wetlands. Pacific silver fir is the major canopy tree and grand fir, western hemlock 

(Tsuga heterophylla) are minor canopy components (fig. 6). Vine maple frequently 

occurs in dense patches in the tall shrub layer. Widely scattered old-growth Pacific 

silver fir exceeds 100 cm (40 in) d.b.h.2

 with one specimen measuring 182 cm (72 in) 

d.b.h. These true fir stands are multiaged as reflected in the almost continuous range 

of tree diameters and presumed age distribution (Curtis 1986, Schuller and Greene 

2008). Shrub density beneath the Pacific silver fir overstory is highly variable. Dense 

tangles of vine maple characterize the moist forest shrub layer. Pacific rhododendron 

(Rhododendron macrophyllum) occupies slightly drier sites, especially beneath the 

old-growth Douglas-fir forest canopy (Curtis 1986, Loring and Whitridge 2010). 

Typical forest understory species include inside-out flower (Vancouveria hexandra), 

one-leaf foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata), starry false Solomonseal 

(Maianthemum stellatum), and bride’s bonnet (Clintonia uniflora).

2 “d.b.h.” refers to diameter at breast height, a measurement taken at 1.47 m above 

the ground.
8

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Figure 4—Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area (RNA) plant communities.
9

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Figure 5—Late fall view of open wet meadow and alder-willow-hawthorn thicket. Old-growth forest in the background is 

dominated by Douglas-fir, Pacific silver fir, and western hemlock.

Reid Schuller

Forests are moderately open, with a parklike physiognomy. Forest openings 

are dominated by herbaceous species and grasses, including sickletop lousewort 

(Pedicularis racemosa), Cusick’s checkerbloom (Sidalcea cusickii), sweetcicely 

(Osmorhiza berteroi), tall trisetum (Trisetum cernuum), Alaska oniongrass (Melica 

subulata), blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus), yellowleaf iris (Iris chrysophylla), and 

seaside bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus formosissimus) (fig. 7). Umpqua swertia (Frasera 

umpquaensis) (fig. 8) also occurs in forest openings as well as along open edges of 

wet meadows (Loring and Whitridge 2010). The Umpqua swertia is currently listed 

as a Sensitive species on the BLM OR/WA State Director Special Status Species list 

(USFS BLM 2011).
10

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Table 2–Understory coverage, and frequency in four wet meadow transects in Upper Elk Meadows 

Research Natural Area.

Transect 1 Transect 2 Transect 3 Transect 4

Frequencya Cover Frequency Cover Frequency Cover Frequency Cover

Bare ground 33 3 100 54 45 20 100 45

Coarse litter 

Fine litter 100 97 90 19 73 47 100 38

Moss 60 8 27 6 82 14

Lichen 11 + 

Crataegus suksdorfiib – – 16 – – 7

Trisetum cernuum 56 3 

Pteridium aquilinum 44 13

Calystegia atriplicifolia 55 13 

Iris chrysophylla 44 8

Carex pachystachya 66 7 

Achillea millefolium 77 5 

Lupinus latifolius 11 4

Lathyrus nevadensis

 var. pilosellus 22 3 

Heracleum lanatum 11 2 

Scirpus macrocarpus 100 16 100 28 73 23

Bistorta bistortoides 90 16 91 15

Rumex occidentalis 20 13 18 3

Sidalcea cusickii 90 11 73 6

Caltha leptosepala 50 6 91 14

Juncus effusus 30 4

Hypericum anagalloides 30 4 73 14

Senecio triangularis 40 3 45 3

Carex luzulina 30 4 73 11 27 4

Lotus formosissimus 20 2 36 4

Stachys palustris 20 5 

Juncus ensifolius 20 1 

Boykinia occidentalis 82 15

Carex echinata 73 8

Bistorta bistortoides 91 21 

Angelica genuflexa 36 4

Veronica americana 27 1

Athyrium filix-femina 9 9

Trifolium howellii 64 19

a Cover is expressed as percentage of foliar cover; frequency is expressed as percentage of relative frequency. Zero values are not included.

b See appendix 1 for a listing of scientific and common names.
11

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Old-growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) occurs sporadically throughout the RNA. Closed-canopy old-growth stands of Douglas-fir forest occupy 

26-ha (64 ac) and occur on slightly warmer, drier forest soils. Large trees typically 

range between 100 and 160 cm d.b.h and 45 m (148 ft) in height. Tree ages exceed 

300 years. Pacific silver fir (major) and grand fir (minor) recruitment is extensive 

throughout the RNA. Western white pine (Pinus monticola) occurs within this 

forest type along the south RNA boundary (Curtis 1986). Forest understories are 

often dominated by tangled, stands of Pacific rhododendron and vine maple. Lower 

growing shrubs include salal (Gaultheria shallon), prickly currant (Ribes lacustre), 

thinleaf huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), and Oregongrape (Berberis nervosa). Vanilla leaf (Achlys triphylla) and inside-out flower (Vancouveria hexandra) 

occur as major herbs. Common beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) is abundant on drier 

sites (Curtis 1986, Schuller and Greene 2008).

In the southwestern corner of the RNA, a basaltic outcrop and talus slope 0.4 

ha (1 ac) in size supports xeric site species including the shrub Oregon boxleaf 

Figure 6—Forest understory beneath old-growth Pacific silver fir. Sparse herbaceous understory with seedling/sapling 

growth exclusively Pacific silver fir.

Reid Schuller
12

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Figure 7—Dry meadow opening within Pacific silver fir forest. Dried inflorescence of Umpqua swertia appears in foreground along with numerous herbaceous species and grasses.

(Paxistima myrsinites), along with two species of fern: lace lipfern (Cheilanthes 

gracillima) and parsley fern (Cryptogramma crispa). A variety of minor vegetation 

types occupy the remaining 11 ha (27 ac) of the RNA (fig. 3).

The RNA supports some boreal and continental lichen taxa that are more typical of upper elevation, east Cascadian forests. Alectorioids dominate the old-growth 

stands; especially Alectoria sarmentosa and Bryoria spp. are especially abundant. 

Biomass of canopy lichens is comparable to lichen-rich old-growth forest of the 

midelevations in the central Cascades of Oregon. The RNA is generally above 

the zone of cyanolichen dominance in the Cascades. The occurrence of Lobaria 

oregana along the alder-willow (Alnus-Salix) thicket approaches the upper elevation 

limit for this species. Several microlichens present within the RNA are common in 

colder, drier habitats, including Lecidea berengeriana and Lecanora circumborealis (Neitlich and McCune 1995).

In recent decades, the RNA has been the focus of extensive inventory and 

survey activity. This activity has resulted in documentation of a high diversity of 

Reid Schuller
13

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

species being identified within the RNA. In total, 282 vascular plant taxa have been 

identified within the RNA. Table 3 summarizes the 482 total taxa identified within 

all life forms. Habitat diversity, lack of human disturbance, and past intensive 

surveys are reflected by high species richness in the area. Scientific and common 

names of vascular plants are listed in appendix 1. Similar lists for lichens (app. 2), 

bryophytes (app. 3), and fungi (app. 4) are also provided.

Figure 8—Flowering specimen of Umpqua swertia.

Reid Schuller
14

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Fauna

Amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals known or expected to occur within the 

tract are listed in appendix 5. These lists have been derived from field observation 

(Curtis 1986, Maser 1973), published literature (Csuti et al. 1997), and on species 

distribution, life history characteristics, and availability of habitat within the RNA.

Disturbance History 

A trail was constructed in 1868 between the Bohemia Mining District and Oakland, 

Oregon. This trail today is an aggregate-surfaced logging road and follows a portion of the Crouch and Hawley trail through the RNA. Upper Elk Meadows became 

a favorite camping site for people using this trail (USFS/BLM 2012).

During the 1970s, timber was cut on 8.5 ha (21 ac) in the northeast corner of the 

RNA. In subsequent years, some Pacific silver fir and grand fir have been killed by 

balsam wooly aphid (Adelges piceae Ratz.). The forest is susceptible to windthrow, 

particularly along the southern RNA edge adjacent to private timberland logged in 

the past 25 years (USFS/BLM 2012).

Research History

The following research and monitoring projects have been undertaken within Upper 

Elk Meadows RNA (Greene et al.1986, USDI BLM 1983):

Curtis, A. 1986. Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area guidebook No. 18.

Hardman, A. 2010. Lichen and bryophyte field survey data (unpublished).

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

westside central Cascades of Northwest Oregon.

Table 3—Plant species richness by 

taxonomic group and growth form at Upper 

Elk Meadows Research Natural Area.

Group No. of taxa

Trees 13

Shrubs 41

Ferns 6

Herbs 188

Grasses and 42

 graminoids

Total 290

Lichens 56

Mosses 76

Liverworts 16

Fungi 52
15

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Neitlich, P.; McCune, B. 1995. Lichen diversity in the upper Willamette and Siuslaw 

watersheds.

Peck, D.L.; Griggs, A.B.; Schlicker, H.G.; Wells, F.G.; Dole, H.M. 1964. Geology of 

the central and northern parts of the western Cascade Range in Oregon. 

Schuller, R.; Greene, S.; Sawtelle, N.; Downing, G.; Curtis, A.; Widmer, M.; 

Turner, R. 2000. Vegetation monitoring data (unpublished).

Schuller, R.; Greene, S. 2010. Vegetation monitoring data (unpublished).

Widmer, M.; Walker, J. 1997–1998. Lichen, bryophyte, and fungi surveys of Upper 

Elk Meadows Research Natural Area (unpublished). 

Wilson, B.; Hipkins, V., Kaye; T. 2010. One taxon or two: are Frasera umpquaensis

and F. fastigiata (Gentianaceae) distinct species? 

Maps 

Maps applicable to Upper Elk Meadows RNA: Topographic—Burnt Mountain, 

Oregon, 7.5 minute, 1:24,000 scale, 1986; Eugene BLM District transportation map, 

1:63360 [no date].

Acknowledgments

The following people merit recognition for their contributions. Jay Ruegger and 

Thomas Jackson, geographic information specialists, created the maps in figures 1, 

2, and 4, and Chris Langdon, wildlife biologist, Upper Willamette Resource Area, 

Eugene District, BLM, reviewed and improved the list of animals in appendix 5. 

We also thank the three manuscript reviewers: Todd Wilson, wildlife biologist and 

RNA coordinator, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station; 

Cindy McCain, forest ecologist, Siuslaw and Willamette National Forests; and 

Nancy Sawtelle, BLM Eugene District plant ecologist, for reviewing the manuscript. The project is funded through the BLM Eugene District, and is administratively supported by the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.

English Equivalents

When you know: Multiply by: To find:

Millimeters (mm) 0.394 Inches 

Centimeters (cm) 0.394 Inches

Meters (m) 3.28 Feet

Kilometers (km) 0.621 Miles

Square meters (m2) 10.76 Square feet 

Hectares (ha) 2.47 Acres

Degrees Fahrenheit (°F) F-32/1.8 Degrees Celsius (°C)
16

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

References

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.

Curtis, A. 1986. Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area. Suppl. No. 18 

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. 19 p.

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.

Esslinger, T.L. 2010. A cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolous 

and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. Fargo, ND: North 

Dakota State University. http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~esslinge/chcklst/chcklst7.

htm. (December 18, 2011).

Flora of North America. 1993+. Partial nomenclature of vascular plants, ferns, 

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

(December 10, 2011).

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.

Greene, S.E.; Blinn, T.; Franklin, J.F. 1986. Research natural areas in Oregon 

and Washington: past and current research and related literature. Gen. Tech. Rep. 

PNW-GTR-197. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Pacific Northwest Research Station. 115 p.

Hardman, A. 2010. Unpublished field survey data. On file with: U.S. Department 

of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Eugene District, 3106 Pierce 

Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, OR 97477. 
17

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Loring, S.; Whitridge, H. 2010. Unpublished field survey data. On file with: U.S. 

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Eugene District, 3106 

Pierce Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, OR 97477. 

Maser, C. 1973. Tentative list of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles of 

proposed Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Areas. Unpublished report. On 

file with: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Eugene 

District, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, OR 97477. 

McCain, C.; Christy, J.A. 2005. Field guide to riparian plant communities in 

northwestern Oregon. Tech. Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-01-05. Portland, OR: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 357 p.

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

westside central Cascades of northwest Oregon. Tech. Paper R6-NR-ECOLTP-02-02. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific 

Northwest Region. 403 p.

Mycobank. 2011. Fungal databases, nomenclature and species banks. http://www.

mycobank.org/MycoTaxo.aspx?Link=T&Rec=101927. (December 17, 2011). 

Neitlich, P.; McCune, B. 1995. Lichen diversity in the upper Willamette and 

Siuslaw watersheds Eugene District Bureau of Land Management. Unpublished 

report. On file with: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land 

Management, Eugene District, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, OR 

97477.

Oregon Flora Project. 2011. The Oregon plant atlas. http://www.oregonflora.org/ 

oregonplantatlas.html. (December 1, 2011).

Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council [ONHAC]. 2010. Oregon Natural 

Areas Plan. Oregon Biodiversity Information Center, Institute for Natural 

Resources–Portland. Portland, OR: Portland State University. 198 p.

Peck, D.L.; Griggs, A.B.; Schlicker, H.G.; Wells, F.G.; Dole, H.M. 1964. 

Geology of the central and northern parts of the western Cascade Range 

in Oregon. U.S. Geological Survey Prof. Paper 449. Washington, DC: U.S. 

Government Printing Office. 56 p.

Schuller, R.; Greene, S. 2008. Unpublished monitoring data. On file with: U.S. 

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Eugene District, 3106 

Pierce Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, OR 97477.
18

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Schuller, R.; Greene, S.; Sawtelle, N.; Downing, G.; Curtis, A.; Widmer, M.; 

Turner, R. 2000. Unpublished monitoring data. On file with: U.S. Department of 

the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Eugene District, 3106 Pierce Parkway, 

Suite E, Springfield, OR 97477. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. Department of the 

Interior, Bureau of Land Management [USFS/BLM]. 2012. Research natural 

areas—list of sites. Upper Elk Meadows. http://www.fsl.orst.edu/rna/sites/

upelkmea.htm. (January 4, 2012).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. Department of the 

Interior, Bureau of Land Management [USFS/BLM]. 2011. BLM OR/WA 

State Director Special Status Species List December 1, 2011. Includes federal 

TEP and OR/WA State Director Sensitive Species, and Strategic Species. http://

www.fs.fed.us/r6/sfpnw/issssp/agency-policy. (December 27, 2011).

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

[USDA NRCS]. 2011. PLANTS database. http://plants.usda.gov/java/.usda.gov/

java/. (December 11, 2011).

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

[USDA NRCS]. 2012. Soil maps from Douglas County, Oregon. http://

websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx. (January 5, 2012).

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

BLM]. 1983. Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area management plan. 

Unpublished report. On file with: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of 

Land Management, Eugene District, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, 

OR 97477. 5 p.

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

1995. Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan. Eugene, OR. 263 p.

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

2011. Unpublished document. On file with: U.S. Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Land Management, Eugene District, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E, 

Springfield, OR 97477. 

Widmer, M.; Walker, J. 1997–1998. Lichen, bryophyte, and fungi surveys of 

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area. Unpublished document. On file 

with: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Eugene 

District, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, OR 97477. 
19

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Wilson, B.L.; Hipkins, V.; Kaye, T.N. 2010. One taxon or two: Are Frasera 

umpquaensis and F. fastigiata (Gentianaceae) distinct species? Madroňo. 

57: 106–119.

Wilson, T.M.; Schuller, R.; Holmes, R.; Pavola, C.; Fimbel, R.A.; McCain, 

C.N.; Gamon, J.G.; Speaks, P.; Seevers, J.I.; DeMeo, T.E.; Gibbons, S. 

2009. Interagency strategy for the Pacific Northwest Natural Areas Network. 

Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-798. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 33 p.
20

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Appendix 1—Plants1 2

Scientific name Common name 

Coniferous trees:

Abies amabilis (Dougl. ex Loud.) Dougl. ex Forbes Pacific silver fir

Abies grandis (Dougl. ex D. Don) Lindl. Grand fir

Calocedrus decurrens (Torr.) Florin Incense cedar 

Pinus monticola Dougl. ex D. Don Western white pine

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco Douglas-fir

Taxus brevifolia Nutt. Western yew

Thuja plicata Donn. Western redcedar

Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. Western hemlock

Deciduous trees >8 m (26.3 ft) tall:

Alnus viridis (Chaix) DC. ssp. sinuata (Regel) Sitka alder

 A. Löve & D. Löve

Chrysolepis chrysophylla (Dougl. ex Hook.) Hjelmq. Giant chinquapin

Populus trichocarpa T. & G. Black cottonwood

Prunus emarginata (Dougl. ex Hook.) D. Dietr. Bitter cherry

Pyrus fusca (Raf.) C.K. Schneid. Oregon crab apple

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

Acer circinatum Pursh Vine maple

Acer glabrum Torr. var. douglasii (Hook.) Dippel Douglas maple

Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roem. Saskatoon serviceberry

Cornus sericea L. ssp. occidentalis (T. & G.) Fosb. Redosier dogwood

Corylus cornuta Marsh. var. californica (A. DC.) California hazelnut

 Sharp

Crataegus suksdorfii (Sarg.) Kruschke Suksdorf’s hawthorn

Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. Oceanspray

Rhamnus purshiana DC. Cascara

Rhododendron macrophyllum D. Don ex G. Don Pacific rhododendron

Salix geyeriana Anders. Geyer willow

Salix geyeriana Xsitchensis hybrid willow

Salix scouleriana Barratt ex Hook Scouler’s willow

Salix sitchensis Sans. ex Bong. Sitka willow

Sambucus mexicana Tapiro Blue elderberry

Sambucus racemosa L. var. arborescens Red elderberry

 (Torr. & Gray) Gray

Sorbus sitchensis M. Roem. Western mountain ash

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

Betula glandulosa Michx. Resin birch

Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link Scotch broom

Gaultheria ovatifolia Gray Western teaberry

Gaultheria shallon Pursh Salal

Lonicera involucrata (Richards.) Banks ex Spreng. Twinberry honeysuckle

Paxistima myrsinites (Pursh) Raf. Oregon boxleaf 

Ribes binominatum A. Heller Ground gooseberry

Ribes bracteosum Dougl. ex Hook. Stink currant

Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir. Prickly currant

Ribes sanguineum Pursh Red-flowering currant
21

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Scientific name Common name 

 Ribes triste Pall. Red currant

Rosa gymnocarpa Nutt. Baldhip rose

Rubus armeniacus Focke Himalayan blackberry

Rubus leucodermis Dougl. ex Torr. & A. Gray Whitebark raspberry

Rubus parviflorus Nutt. Thimbleberry

Rubus spectabilis Pursh Salmonberry

Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake Common snowberry

Symphoricarpos mollis Nutt. Creeping snowberry

Vaccinium membranaceum Dougl. ex Torr. Thinleaf huckleberry

Vaccinium parvifolium Sm. Red huckleberry 

Low shrubs <0.5 m (1.6 ft) tall:

Berberis nervosa Pursh Oregongrape

Lonicera ciliosa (Pursh) Poir. ex DC. Orange honeysuckle

Rubus laciniatus Willd. Cutleaf blackberry

Rubus lasiococcus Gray Roughfruit berry 

Rubus ursinus Cham. & Schlecht. California dewberry

Ferns:

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

Cheilanthes gracillima D.C. Eaton Lace lipfern

Cryptogramma acrostichoides R. Br. American rockbrake

Dryopteris expansa (C. Presl) Fraser-Jenkins & Jermy Spreading woodfern

Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) Presl Western swordfern

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn Bracken fern

Herbs:

Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow

Achlys triphylla (Sm.) DC. Vanilla leaf; deer foot

Aconitum columbianum Nutt. Columbian monkshood

Actaea rubra (Ait.) Willd. Red baneberry

Adenocaulon bicolor Hook. American trailplant

Agoseris aurantiaca (Hook.) Greene Orange agoseris

Allotropa virgata Torr. & Gray ex Gray Sugarstick

Anagallis arvensis L. Scarlet pimpernel

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

Anemone deltoidea Hook. Columbian windflower

Anemone lyallii Britt. Little mountain thimbleweed

Angelica arguta Nutt. Lyall’s angelica

Angelica genuflexa Nutt. Kneeling angelica

Antennaria luzuloides T. & G. Rush pussytoes

Aquilegia formosa Fisch. Red columbine

Arabis glabra (L.) Bernh. Tower rockcress

Arnica amplexicaulis Nutt. Clasping arnica

Asarum caudatum Lindl. Wild ginger

Barbarea orthoceras Ledeb. American yellowrocket

Bistorta bistortoides Pursh American bistort

Botrychium minganense Victorin Mingan moonwort

Botrychium multifidum (Gmel.) Rupr. Leathery grapefern

Boykinia occidentalis Torr. & Gray Coastal brookfoam

Callitriche hermaphroditica L. Northern water starwort

Callitriche heterophylla Pursh Twoheaded water-starwort
22

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Scientific name Common name 

Caltha leptosepala DC. White marsh marigold

Calypso bulbosa (L.) Oakes Fairy slipper

Calystegia atriplicifolia Hallier f. ssp. atriplicifolia Nightblooming false bindweed

Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene Small camas

Camassia leichtlinii (Baker) Wats. Large camas

Campanula scouleri Hook. ex DC. Pale bellflower

Canadanthus modestus (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom Giant mountain aster

Cardamine breweri S. Wats. Brewer’s bittercress

Cardamine nuttallii Greene var. nuttallii Palmate toothwort

Castilleja miniata Dougl. ex Hook. Giant red Indian paintbrush

Centaurium erythraea Rafn. European centaury

Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub ssp. Fireweed

 circumvagum (Mosq.) Hoch

Chamerion latifolium (L.) Holub Dwarf fireweed

Cheilanthes gracillima Eat. Lace lipfern

Chimaphila menziesii (R. Br. ex D. Don) Spreng. Little prince’s pine

Chimaphila umbellata (L.) W. Bartr. ssp. Pipsissewa

 occidentalis (Rydb.) Hultén

 Cicuta douglasii (DC.) J.M. Coult. & Rose Western water hemlock

Circaea alpina L. Alpine circaea

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada thistle

Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Bull thistle

Claytonia cordifolia S. Wats. Heartleaf springbeauty

Claytonia parviflora Dougl. ex Hook. ssp. Streambank springbeauty

 parviflora

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

Clintonia uniflora (Menzies ex Schult. & Schult. f.) Bride’s bonnet

 Kunth

Collomia heterophylla Dougl. ex Hook. Variableleaf collomia

Coptis laciniata Gray Oregon goldenthread

Collinsia parviflora Lindl. Maiden blue-eyed Mary

Collomia heterophylla Dougl. ex Hook. Variableleaf collomia

Coptis laciniata A. Gray Oregon goldthread

Corallorhiza maculata (Raf.) Raf. var. maculata Spotted coralroot

Corallorhiza mertensiana Bong. Pacific coralroot

Cornus canadensis L. Bunchberry dogwood

Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr. Smooth Hawksbeard

Cynoglossum grande Dougl. ex Lehm. Pacific hound’s-tongue

Delphinium menziesii DC. Menzies’ larkspur

Dicentra formosa (Andr.) Walpers Pacific bleedingheart 

Digitalis purpurea L. Purple foxglove

Epilobium brachycarpum C. Presl Tall willowherb

Epilobium ciliatum Raf. (Lehm.) ssp. ciliatum Fringed willowherb 

Epilobium ciliatum Raf. (Lehm.) ssp. glandulosum Fringed willowherb

 Hoch & P.H. Raven

Epilobium ciliatum Raf. ssp. watsonii (Barbey) Fringed willowherb

 Hoch & P.H. Raven

Epilobium luteum Pursh Yellow willowherb

Equisetum arvense L. Field horsetail

Erigeron aliceae Howell Alice Eastwood’s fleabane

Eriophyllum lanatum (Pursh) Forbes Common woolly sunflower
23

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Scientific name Common name 

Erythronium grandiflorum Pursh ssp. grandiflorum Yellow avalanche-lily

Erythronium oregonum Appleg. Giant white fawnlily

Fragaria vesca L. Woodland strawberry

Frasera umpquaensis M. Peck & Applegate Umpqua swertia

Galium aparine L. Stickywilly

Galium oreganum Britt. Oregon bedstraw

Galium triflorum Michx. Fragrant bedstraw

Goodyera oblongifolia Raf. Western rattlesnake plantain

Heracleum lanatum Bartr. Common cowparsnip

Hieracium albiflorum Hook. White-flowered hawkweed

Hydrophyllum occidentale (Wats.) Gray Western waterleaf

Hydrophyllum tenuipes A. Heller Slender-stem waterleaf

Hypericum anagalloides Cham. & Schltdl. Tinker’s penny

Hypericum formosum Kunth St. Johnswort

Hypericum perforatum L. Common St. Johnswort

Hypochaeris radicata L. Hairy cat’s-ear

Iris chrysophylla Howell Yellowleaf iris

Lathyrus nevadensis S. Watson ssp. lanceolatus Sierra pea

 (Howell) C.L. Hitchc. var. pilosellus (M. Peck)

 C.L. Hitchc.

Lathyrus polyphyllus Nutt. Leafy pea

Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. Oxeye daisy

Lilium columbianum Leichtl. Columbia lily

Lilium washingtonianum Kellogg Washington lily

Linnaea borealis L. ssp. longiflora (Torr.) Hultén Longtube twinflower

Listera caurina Piper Northwestern twayblade

Listera convallarioides (Sw.) Nutt. ex Elliott Broadlipped twayblade

Lomatium martindalei (J.M. Coult. & Rose) Cascade desertparsley

 J.M. Coult. & Rose

Lotus corniculatus L. Bird’s-foot trefoil

Lotus formosissimus Greene Seaside bird’s-foot trefoil

Lotus nevadensis (Wats.) Greene Nevada bird’s-foot trefoil

Lotus pinnatus Hook. Meadow bird’s-foot trefoil

Lotus purshianus Clem. & E.G. Clem. American bird’s-foot trefoil

Lupinus latifolius Lindl. ex Agardh Broadleaf lupine

Lycopodium clavatum L. Running clubmoss

Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link Feathery false-Solomonseal

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

Mertensia ciliata (James ex Torr.) G. Don Tall fringed bluebells

Mimulus dentatus Nutt. ex Benth. Coastal monkeyflower

Mimulus guttatus DC. Common monkeyflower

Mimulus moschatus Dougl. ex Lindl. Musk monkeyflower

Mitella caulescens Nutt. Leafy miterwort

Mitella ovalis Greene Coastal miterwort

Mitella pentandra Hook. Fivestamen miterwort

Moehringia macrophylla (Hook.) Fenzl Largeleaf sandwort

Monotropa hypopithys L. Pinesap

Montia chamissoi Ledeb. ex Spreng. Water minerslettuce

Montia parvifolia (Moc.) Greene Streambank springbeauty

Mycelis muralis (L.) Dumort. Wall-lettuce

Nemophila heterophylla Fisch. & C.A. Mey. Small baby blue eyes
24

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Scientific name Common name 

Nemophila parviflora Dougl. ex Benth. Smallflower nemophila

Oenanthe sarmentosa C. Presl ex DC. Water parsely

Orthilia secunda (L.) House Sidebells wintergreen

Osmorhiza berteroi DC. Sweetcicely

Oxalis oregana Nutt. Oregon oxalis

Pedicularis racemosa Douglas ex Benth. Sickletop lousewort

Penstemon cardwellii Howell Cardwell’s beardtongue

Penstemon rattanii Gray Rattan’s beardtongue

Perideridia gairdneri (Hook. & Arn.) Mathias Gardner’s yampah

Perideridia oregana (Wats.) Mathias Oregon yampah

Petasites frigidus (L.) Fr. Arctic sweet coltsfoot

Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz. Threadleaf phacelia

Phacelia nemoralis Greene Shade phacelia

Phlox gracilis (Hook.) Greene Slender phlox

Platanthera dilatata (Pursh) Lindl. ex Beck Sierra bog orchid

 var. leucostachys (Lindl.) Luer

Platanthera stricta Lindl. Slender bog orchid

Pleuricospora fimbriolata Gray Fringed pinesap

Polemonium carneum Gray Royal Jacob’s-ladder

Polygonum minimum Wats. Broadleaf knotweed 

Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl Western swordfern

Potentilla arguta Pursh ssp. convallaria (Rydb.) Keck Cream cinquefoil

Potentilla glandulosa Lindl. Sticky cinquefoil

Prosartes hookeri Torr. Drops-of-gold

Prunella vulgaris L. Common selfheal

Pterospora andromedea Nutt. Woodland pinedrops

Pyrola asarifolia Michx. Liverleaf wintergreen

Pyrola picta Sm. Whiteveined wintergreen

Ranunculus uncinatus D. Don ex G. Don Woodland buttercup

Rudbeckia occidentalis Nutt. Western coneflower 

Rumex acetosella L. Common sheep sorrel

Rumex occidentalis Wats. Western dock

Saxifraga bronchialis L. ssp. vespertina (Small) Yellowdot saxifrage

 Piper

Saxifraga mertensiana Bong. Wood saxifrage

Senecio jacobaea L. Tansy ragwort

Senecio sylvaticus L. Woodland ragwort

Senecio vulgaris L. Common groundsel

Senecio triangularis Hook. Arrowleaf ragwort

Sidalcea cusickii Piper Cusick’s checkerbloom

Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham. Hooded ladies’ tresses

Stellaria calycantha (Ledeb.) Bong. Northern starwort

Stachys chamissonis Benth. var. cooleyae Coastal hedgenettle

 (A. Heller) G. Mulligan & D. Munro

Stachys palustris L. Marsh hedgenettle

Stellaria borealis Bigelow ssp. sitchana (Steud.) Sitka starwort

 Piper

Stellaria crispa Cham. & Schltdl. Curled starwort

Stellaria obtusa Engelm. Rocky Mountain chickweed

Streptopus amplexifolius (L.) DC. var. amplexifolius Claspleaf twistedstalk
25

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Scientific name Common name 

Symphyotrichum foliaceum (Lindl. ex DC.) Nesom Parry’s aster

 var. parryi (Eat.) Nesom

Synthyris reniformis (Dougl. ex Benth.) Benth. Snowqueen

Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. Common dandelion

Thalictrum occidentale A. Gray Western meadowrue

Tiarella trifoliata L. var. unifoliata (Hook.) Kurtz Coolwort foamflower

Trautvetteria caroliniensis (Walter) Vail Carolina bugbane

Trientalis borealis Raf. ssp. latifolia (Hook.) Hultén Broadleaf starflower

Trifolium howellii Wats. Canyon clover

Trifolium repens L. White clover

Trillium albidum J.D. Freeman Giant white wakerobin

Trillium ovatum Pursh Western trillium

Urtica dioica L. Stinging nettle

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

Veronica americana Schwein. ex Benth. American speedwell

Veronica serpyllifolia L. ssp. humifusa (Dicks.) Syme Brightblue speedwell

Veronica wormskjoldii Roem. & Schult. American alpine speedwell

Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch

Vicia sativa L. Garden vetch

Viola glabella Nutt. Pioneer violet

Viola sempervirens Greene Evergreen violet

Xerophyllum tenax (Pursh) Nutt. Common beargrass

Grasses, sedges, and rushes:

Agrostis capillaris L. Colonial bentgrass

Agrostis thurberiana Vasey Alpine bentgrass

Bromus sitchensis Trin. Alaska brome

Bromus vulgaris (Hook.) Shear Columbia brome

Carex amplifolia Boott Bigleaf sedge

Carex aquatilis Wahlenb. Water sedge

Carex arcta Boott Northern clustered sedge

Carex echinata Murr. ssp. echinata Star sedge

Carex laeviculmis Meinsh. Smoothstem sedge

Carex leptopoda Mack. Slender-foot sedge

Carex luzulina Olney Woodrush sedge

Carex multicostata Mack. Many-rib sedge

Carex pachystachya Cham. ex Steud. Thick-headed sedge

Carex rossii Boott Ross’ sedge

Carex vesicaria L. Inflated sedge

Carex viridula Michx. ssp. viridula Green sedge

Cinna latifolia (Trevir. ex Göpp.) Griseb. Drooping woodreed

Dactylis glomerata L. Orchardgrass

Danthonia californica Bol. California oatgrass

Deschampsia elongata (Hook.) Munro Slender hairgrass 

Elymus glaucus Buckl. Blue wildrye

Festuca occidentalis Hook. Western fescue

Festuca rubra L. Red fescue

Festuca subulata Trin. Bearded fescue

Festuca subuliflora Scribn. Crinkleawn fescue

Glyceria elata (Nash) M.E. Jones Tall mannagrass

Juncus effusus L. Common rush
26

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Scientific name Common name 

Juncus ensifolius Wikstr. Swordleaf rush

Juncus oxymeris Engelm. Pointed rush

Juncus patens E. May Spreading rush

Luzula comosa E. May Pacific woodrush

Luzula divaricata Wats. Forked woodrush

Luzula multiflora (Ehrh.) Lej. var. multiflora Common woodrush

Luzula parviflora (Ehrh.) Desv. Small flowered woodrush

Melica subulata (Griseb.) Scribn. Alaska oniongrass

Phleum pratense L. Timothy

Poa palustris L. Fowl bluegrass

Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass

Podagrostis humilis (Vasey) Björkm. Alpine bentgrass

Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort. Tall fescue

Scirpus microcarpus J. Presl & C. Presl Panicled bulrush

Trisetum cernuum Buckl. Tall trisetum

1 Nomenclature for vascular plants, ferns, and fern-allies follows the Flora of North America (1993+), and 

Oregon Flora Project (2011) Web site. Common names are taken from the USDA NRCS - PLANTS Database 

(USDA NRCS 2011).

2 Compiled from field observations of Curtis (1986), Loring and Whitridge (2010), Schuller and Greene (2008), 

and USDI BLM (2011).
27

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Appendix 2—Lichens1 2

Species name Authorities

Macrolichens:

 Alectoria sarmentosa Brodo & D. Hawksw.

 Bryoria capillaris (Ach.) Brodo & D. Hawksw.

 Bryoria friabilis Brodo & D. Hawksw.

 Bryoria fuscescens (Gyelnik) Brodo & D. Hawksw

 Bryoria pseudofuscescens (Gyelnik) Brodo & D. Hawksw.

 Bryoria sp. Brodo & D. Hawksw.

 Cladonia chlorophaea (Flörke ex Sommerf.) Sprengel

 Cladonia fimbriata (L.) Fr.

 Cladonia ochrochlora Flörke

 Cladonia transcendens (Vainio) Vainio

 Hypogymnia apinnata Goward & McCune

 Hypogymnia enteromorpha (Ach.) Nyl.

 Hypogymnia imshaugii Krog

 Hypogymnia inactiva (Krog) Ohlsson

 Hypogymnia occidentalis L. Pike

 Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl.

 Hypogymnia tubulosa (Schaerer) Hav.

 Letharia vulpina (L.) Hue

 Lobaria oregana (Tuck.) Müll. Arg.

 Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.

 Melanelia exasperatula (De Not.) O. Blanco et al.

 Melanelixia subaurifera (Nyl.) O. Blanco et al.

 Nodobryoria oregana (Tuck.) Common & Brodo

 Parmelia hygrophila Goward & Ahti

 Parmelia saxatilis (L.) Ach.

 Parmelia sulcata Taylor

 Parmeliopsis ambigua (Wulfen) Nyl.

 Parmeliopsis hyperopta (Ach.) Arnold

 Peltigera membranacea (Ach.) Nyl.

 Peltigera neopolydactyla (Gyelnik) Gyelnik

 Platismatia glauca (L.) W. L. Culb. & C. F. Culb.

 Platismatia herrei (Imshaug) W. L. Culb. & C. F. Culb.

 Platismatia stenophylla (Tuck.) W. L. Culb.. & C. F. Culb.

 Pseudocyphellaria anomala Brodo & Ahti

 Ramalina farinacea (L.) Ach.

 Ramalina thrausta (Ach.) Nyl.

 Sphaerophorus globosus (Hudson) Vainio

 Usnea sp. Dill. ex Adans.

 Xanthomendoza mendozae (Räsänen) S. Kondr. & Kärnefelt
28

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Species name Authorities

Crustose lichens and caliciales:

 Amandinea punctata (Hoffm.) Coppins & Scheid.

 Calicium glaucellum Ach.

 Chaenotheca brunneola (Ach.) Müll. Arg.

 Cyphelium inquinans (Sm.) Trevisan

 Japewia tornoensis (Nyl.) Tønsberg

 Lecanora circumborealis Brodo & Vitik.

 Lecanora pulicaris (Pers.) Ach.

 Lecidia berengeriana (A. Massal.) Th. Fr.

 Lecidia efflorescens (Hedl.) Erichs.

 Lecidella elaeochroma (Ach.) M. Choisy

 Mycoblastus sanguinarius (L.) Norman

 Ochrolechia juvenalis Brodo

 Ochrolechia oregonensis H. Magn.

 Ochrolechia subpallescens Verseghy

 Pertusaria ophthalmiza (Nyl.) Nyl.

 Pertusaria subambigens Dibben

 Xylographa parallela (Ach. : Fr.) Behlen & Desberger

1 Nomenclature for macrolichen and microlichen species follows Esslinger (2011).

2 Compiled from field surveys by Hardman (2010), Neitlich and McCune (1995), and Widmer and 

Walker (1997–1998).
29

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Appendix 3—Bryophytes1 2

Scientific name and authorities Common name

Mosses:

 Andraea blytii Schimp. —

 Antitrichia curtipendula (Hedw.) Brid. California antitrichia moss

 Atrichum setwynii Aust. —

 Aulacomnium androgynum (Hedw.) Schwägr. Aulacomnium moss

 Brachythecium albicans (Hedw.) Schimp. Brachythecium moss

 Brachythecium frigidum (Müll. Hal.) Besch. Cold brachythecium moss

 Brachythecium starkei (Brid.) Schimp. var. pacificum Starke’s brachythecium moss

 Brachythecium Schimp sp. —

 Bryum canariense Brid. Canary bryum moss

 Bryum weigelii Spreng. Weigel’s bryum moss

 Bryum sp. —

 Bucklandiella heterosticha (Hedw.) 

 Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra —

 Bucklandiella occidentalis (Ren. & Card.) 

 Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra —

 Buxbaumia piperi Best Piper’s buxbaumia moss

 Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. Ceratodon moss

 Claopodium crispifolium (Hook.) Ren. & Card. Claopodium moss

 Codriophorus acicularis (Hedw.) Beauv. —

 Codriophorus varius (Mitt.) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra —

 Dichodontium pellucidum (Hedw.) Schimp. Dichodontium moss

 Dicranoweisia cirrata (Hedw.) Lindb. ex Milde Dicranoweisia moss

 Dicranum fuscescens Turn. Dicranum moss

 Dicranum howellii Ren. & Card. Howell’s dicranum moss

 D. scoparium Hedw. Dicranum moss

 Dicranum tauricum Sapeh. Dicranum moss

 Ditrichum heteromallum (Hedw.) E. Britt. Ditrichum moss

 Drepanocladus aduncus (Hedw.) Warnst. Drepanocladus moss

 Eurhynchium oreganum (Sull.) A. Jaeg. Oregon eurhynchium moss

 Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. Antifever fontinalis moss

 Fontinalis neomexicana Sull. & Lesq. New Mexico fontinalis moss

 Grimmia laevigata (Brid.) Brid. Grimmia dry rock moss

 Grimmia ramondii (Lam. & DC) Ramond’s Grimmia moss

 Grimmia sp. —

 Heterocladium macounii Best Macoun’s heterocladium moss

 Homalothecium megaptilum (Sull.) Schof. Trachybryum moss

 Hygroamblystegium tenax (Hedw.) Jenn. Hygroamblystegium moss

 Hygrohypnum ochraceum (Turn. ex Wils.) Loeske Hygrohypnum moss

 Hypnum circinale Hook. Hypnum moss
30

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Scientific name and authorities Common name

 Isopterygiopsis pulchella (Hedw.) Z. Iwats. Isopterygiopsis moss

 Isothecium cristatum (Hampe) H. Rob. Isothecium moss

 Isothecium stoloniferum Brid. group Isothecium moss

 Kindbergia praelonga (Hedw.) Ochyra Eurhynchium moss

 Lescuraea baileyi (Best & Grout) E. Lawt. Bailey’s pseudoleskea moss

 Leskea polycarpa Ehrh. ex Hedw. Leskea moss

 Leucolepis acanthoneura (Schwägr.) Lindb. Leucolepis moss

 Meiotrichum lyallii (Mitt.) G.L. Merr. Lyall’s meiotrichum moss

 Metaneckera menziesii (Drumm.) Steere Menzies’ metaneckera moss

 Mnium spinulosum Bruch & Schimp. Largetooth calcareous moss

 Neckera douglasii Hook. Douglas’ neckera moss

 Niphotrichum elongatum (Ehrh. ex Frisvoll) Elongate racomitrium moss

 Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra

 Orthotrichum consimile Mitt. Orthotrichum moss

 Orthotrichum lyellii Hook. & Taylor Lyell’s orthotrichum moss

 Philonotis fontana (Hedw.) Brid. Philonotis moss

 Plagiomnium insigne (Mitt.) T. Kop. Plagiomnium moss

 Plagiomnium venustum (Mitt.) T. Kop. Plagiomnium moss

 Pogonatum contortum (Brid.) Lesq. Contorted pogonatum moss

 Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb. Pohlia moss

 Pohlia sp. —

 Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw. Juniper polytrichum moss

 Polytrichum piliferum Hedw. Polytrichum moss

 Pseudoleskea stenophylla Ren. & Card. Pseudoleskea moss

 Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans (Brid.) Z. Iwats. Elegant pseudotaxiphyllum moss

 Ptilidium californicum (Austin) Underw. —

 Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) 

 J.R. Spence & H.P. Ramsay

 Rhizomnium glabrescens (Kindb.) T. Kop. Rhizomnium moss

 Rhizomnium magnifolium (Horik.) T. Kop Grandleaf rhizomnium moss

 Rhytidiadelphus loreus (Hedw.) Warnst. Gooseneck moss

 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus (Hedw.) Warnst. Square gooseneck moss

 Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Hedw.) Warnst. Rough gooseneck moss

 Rhytidiopsis robusta (Hook.) Broth. Robust rhytidiopsis moss

 Roellia roellii (Broth.) Andrews ex H.A. Crum Roell’s moss

 Schistidium rivulare (Brid.) Podp. Streamside schistidium moss

 Scleropodium obtusifolium (A. Jaeger) Kindb. Obtuseleaf scleropodium moss

 Scleropodium touretii (Brid.) L.F. Koch Touret’s scleropodium moss

 Syntrichia ruralis (Hedw.) F. Weber & D. Mohr Tortula moss

 Thamnobryum neckeroides (Hook.) E. Lawt. Necker’s thamnobryum moss

 Tortula subulata Hedw. Tortula moss

 Ulota megalospora Vent. Largespore ulota moss
31

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Scientific name and authorities Common name

Liverworts:

 Cephalozia bicuspidata (L.) Dumort. —

 Cephalozia lunulifolia (Dumort.) Dumort. group —

 Chiloscyphus polyanthos (L.) Corda —

 Conocephalum cf. conicum (L.) Dumort. —

 Geocalyx graveolens (Schrad.) Nees —

 Lepidozia reptans (L.) Dumort. —

 Lophozia incise (Schrad.) Dumort. —

 Lophozia ventricosa (Dicks.) Dumort. —

 Marchantia polymorpha L. —

 Marsupella emarginata (Ehrh.) Dumort. —

 Porella navicularis (Lehm. & Lindenb.) Lindb. —

 Radula bolanderi Gottsche —

 Riccardia sp. —

 Scapania bolanderi Austin —

 Scapania umbrosa (Schrad.) Dumort. —

 Scapania undulata (L.) Dumort. —

— = no common name available. 1 Scientific nomenclature and common names follow USDI NRCSa (2011)

2 Compiled from field surveys by Hardman (2010), USDI BLM (2011), and Widmer and Walker (1997–1998),
32

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Appendix 4—Fungi1 2

Scientific name Common name

Amanita aspera (Pers.) Pers. Yellow-veiled amanita

Armillariella mellea (Vahl) P. Karst. Honey mushroom

Boletus edulis Bull. King bolete

Boletus pulverulentus Opat. —

Bondarzewia mesenterica (Schaeff.) Kreisel —

Bovista plumbea Pers. Tumbling puffball

Cantharellus formosus Corner Chanterelle

Coltricia perennis (L.) Murril Fairy stool

Crucibulum laeve (Huds.) Kambly Bird’s nest fungus

Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. Red-belted conk

Fuligo septica (L.) F.H. Wigg. Scrambled-egg slime

Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. Artist’s conk

Gomphidius subroseus Kauffman Rosy gomphidius

Gomphus bonarii (Morse) Singer —

Gomphus clavatus (Pers.) Gray Pig’s ears

Gomphus floccosus (Schwein.) Singer Scaly chanterelle

Gomphus kauffmanii (A.H. Sm.) Corner —

Guepiniopsis alpina (Tracy & Earle) Brasf. Alpine jelly cone

Gymnopilus spectabilis (Weinm.) A.H. Sm. Big laughing mushroom

Hebeloma sinapizans (Paulet) Gillet Scaly-stalked Hebeloma

Hericium abietis (Weir ex Hubert) K.A. Harrison Conifer coral mushroom

Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca (Wulfen) Maire False chanterelle

Hypomyces lactifluorum (Schwein.) Tul. & C. Tul. Lobster mushroom

Inocybe sororia Kauffman Corn silk inocybe

Laccaria amethystea (Bull.) Murrill Amethyst laccaria

Lactarius deliciosus (L.) Gray Delicious milky cap

Lactarius scrobiculatus (Scop.) Fr. Scrobulate milky cap

Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill Chicken of the woods

Lycogala epidendrum (L.) Fr. Wolf’s milk slime

Lycoperdon perlatum Pers. Common puffball

Marasmiellus candidus (Fr.) Singer —

Mycena haematopus (Pers.) P. Kumm. Bleeding Mycena

Mycena murina (Murrill) Murrill group Yet another Mycena

Mycena pura (Pers.) P. Kumm. Lilac Mycena

Phaeolus schweinitzii (Fr.) Pat. Dyer’s polypore

Pleurotus porrigens (Pers.) P. Kumm. Angel wings

Polyporus elegans (Bull.) Trog Elegant polypore

Pseudohydnum gelatinosum (Scop.) P. Karst Toothed jelly fungus

Ramaria stuntzii Marr Stuntz’ coral mushroom

Rozites caperatus (Pers.) P. Karst. Gypsy mushroom

Russula bicolor Burl. —

Russula brevipes Peck Short-stemmed russula

Russula emetica (Schaeff.) Pers. Emetic russula

Russula nigricans Fr. Rank russula

Russula rosacea (Pers.) Gray Rosy russula

Russula xerampelina (Schaeff.) Fr. Shrimp russula

Stropharia ambigua (Peck) Zeller Questionable stropharia

Suillus lakei (Murrill) A.H. Sm. & Thiers Western painted Suillus

Thelephora terrestris Ehrh. Earth fan

Tricholoma flavovirens (Pers.) S. Lundell Man on horseback

Tricholomopsis decora (Fr.) Singer —

Tricholomopsis rutilans (Schaeff.) Singer Plums and custard

— = no common name available. 1 Nomenclature follows Mycobank (2011). 

2 Compiled from field surveys by USDI BLM (2011), and Widmer and Walker (1997–1998).
33

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Appendix 5—Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, 

and Mammals1 2 3

Family Scientific name Common name

Reptiles and amphibians:

 Ambystomatidae Ambystoma gracile Northwestern salamander

 Dicamptodontidae Dicamptodon tenebrosus Pacific giant salamander

Rhyacotriton variegatus Southern torrent salamander

 Plethodontidae Ensatina eschscholtzii Ensatina

Plethodon dunni Dunn’s salamander

 Salamandridae Taricha granulosa Roughskin newt

 Bufonidae Bufo boreas Western toad

 Ranidae Rana aurora Red-legged frog

Rana boylii Foothill yellow-legged frog

Rana cascadae Cascades frog

 Anguidae Elgaria coerulea Northern alligator lizard

 Boidae Charina bottae Rubber boa

 Colubridae Thamnophis elegans Western terrestrial garter snake

Thamnophis sirtalis Common garter snake

 Birds:

 Cathartidae Cathartes aura Turkey vulture

 Accipitridae Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s hawk

Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawk

Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned hawk

Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk

 Phasianidae Bonasa umbellus Ruffed grouse

Dendragapus obscurus Blue grouse

 Columbidae Columba fasciata Band-tailed pigeon

 Strigidae Aegolius acadicus Northern saw-whet owl

Bubo virginianus Great horned owl

Glaucidium gnoma Northern pygmy-owl

Strix occidentalis Spotted owl

 Apodidae Chaetura vauxi Vaux’s swift

 Trochilidae Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbird

Stellula calliope Calliope hummingbird

 Picidae Colaptes auratus Northern flicker

Dryocopus pileatus Pileated woodpecker

Picoides villosus Hairy woodpecker

Sphyrapicus ruber Red-breasted sapsucker

 Tyrannidae Contopus borealis Olive-sided flycatcher

Contopus sordidulus Western wood pewee

Empidonax hammondii Hammond’s flycatcher

Empidonax traillii Willow flycatcher

 Corvidae Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow

Corvus corax Common raven

Cyanocitta stelleri Steller’s jay

 Paridae Parus gambeli Mountain chickadee

 Sittidae Sitta canadensis Red-breasted nuthatch

 Certhiidae Certhia americana Brown creeper

 Troglodytidae Troglodytes troglodytes Winter wren
34

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-874

Family Scientific name Common name

 Muscicapidae Catharus guttatus Hermit thrush

Ixoreus naevius Varied thrush

Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned kinglet

Regulus calendula Ruby-crowned kinglet

Turdus migratorius American robin

 Vireonidae Vireo huttoni Hutton’s vireo

 Emberizidae Agelaius phoeniceus Red-winged blackbird

Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped warbler

Dendroica occidentalis Hermit warbler

Dendroica petechia Yellow warbler

Dendroica townsendi Townsend’s warbler

Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed junco

Melospiza lincolnii Lincoln’s sparrow

Piranga rubra Western tanager

Vermivora ruficapilla Nashville warbler

Wilsonia pusilla Wilson’s warbler

 Fringillidae Carduelis pinus Pine siskin

Carpodacus cassinii Cassin’s finch

Loxia curvirostra Red crossbill

Mammals:

 Didelphidae Didelphis virginiana Virginia opossum

 Sorididae Sorex bendirii Pacific marsh shrew

Sorex pacificus Pacific shrew

Sorex palustris Water shrew

Sorex sonomae Fog shrew

Sorex trowbridgii Trowbridge’s shrew

Sorex vagrans Vagrant shrew

 Talpidae Neurotrichus gibbsii Shrew-mole

 Vespertilionidae Eptesicus fuscus Big brown bat

Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver-haired bat

Lasiurus cinereus Hoary bat

Myotis volans Long-legged myotis

Myotis evotis Long-eared myotis

Plecotus townsendii Townsend’s big-eared bat

 Leporidae Lepus americanus Snowshoe hare

 Sciuridae Glaucomys sabrinus Northern flying squirrel

Tamias townsendii Townsend’s chipmunk

Tamiasciurus douglasii Douglas’ squirrel

 Geomyidae Thomomys mazama Western pocket gopher

 Muridae Clethrionomys californicus Western red-backed vole

Microtus longicaudus Long-tailed vole

Microtus oregoni Creeping vole

Microtus richardsonis Water vole

Microtus townsendii Townsend’s vole

Neotoma cinerea Bushy-tailed woodrat

Peromyscus maniculatus Deer mouse

Phenacomys longicaudus Red tree vole
35

Upper Elk Meadows Research Natural Area: Guidebook Supplement 43

Family Scientific name Common name

 Dipodidae Zapus princeps Western jumping mouse

Zapus trinotatus Pacific jumping mouse

 Erethizontidae Erethizon dorsatum Common porcupine

 Ursidae Ursus americanus Black bear

 Procyonidae Procyon lotor Common raccoon

 Mustelidae Martes americana American marten

Mustela frenata Long-tailed weasel

Martes pennanti Fisher

Mustela vison Mink

Spilogale gracilis Western spotted skunk

 Felidae Felis concolor Mountain lion

Lynx canadensis Lynx

Lynx rufus Bobcat

 Cervidae Cervus elaphus Elk

Odocoileus hemionus

 var. columbianus Black-tailed deer

— = no common names 1 Compiled from field observations (Curtis 1986, Maser 1973), and from habitat descriptions and distribution 

maps in: Csuti et al. 1997. Atlas of Oregon wildlife. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press. 492 p. + map.

2 Nomenclature taken from Csuti et al. 1997. 

3 Presence on list is based on known distribution, species’ life histories, and available habitat.

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

Mailing address Publications Distribution

Pacific Northwest Research Station

P.O. Box 3890

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

Pacific Northwest Research Station

333 SW First Avenue

P.O. Box 3890

Portland, OR 97208–3890

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use, $300