Columbia Basin Palouse Prairie
This lush bunchgrass prairie occurs on deep, productive soils in eastern Washington and Oregon and west-central Idaho. Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass are the most abundant grasses with needle-and-thread, Scribner's needlegrass, giant wildrye, Great Basin wildrye, or curly bluegrass. Scattered shrubs may be present, such as Saskatoon serviceberry, common snowberry, and black hawthorn. Massive conversion to agriculture has reduced this once-extensive grassland to remnant patches that are now typically associated with steep and rocky sites. Invasion from exotic grasses cheatgrass or Kentucky bluegrass also threaten it. For more information, see NatureServe Explorer.
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