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Hagerman Fossil Beds National MonumentGrimmia
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Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Grasses
 
Crested Wheatgrass

NPS

Wheatgrass

The Monument is home to a variety of native grasses such as: wheatgrass, bluegrass, Indian ricegrass, and Great Basin wildrye to name a few.

Unfortunately, the grass family includes a large number of invasive weeds and the once plentiful native grasses are now being dominated by the non-native and highly invasive cheat grass (Bromus tectorum).

Most of the natural vegetation on nonpublic land has been replaced by agricultural crops. The numerous acres of irrigated farmlands now support a variety of grasses, grain crops, sugar beets, and potatoes.

 
Field of Cheatgrass
NPS
Highly invasive cheatgrass dominates this field.
 
Cheatgrass
NPS
Non-native and highly invasive cheatgrass.
Fossilized turtle shell  

Did You Know?
An in situ specimen of Clemmys owyheensis (pond turtle) was found out in the Monument. The field crew also found a jaw with several teeth from Thomomys gidleyi (pocket gopher) and a jaw from Trigonictis idahoensis (grison from the weasel family).

Last Updated: February 21, 2007 at 15:57 EST