New Search
southeast corner of the park. Recently-planted seedlings consist of ponderosa pine, Oregon <br /> white oak, bigleaf maple, and incense-cedar all species historically native to the local area. <br /> Although there are native shrubs in the riparian forest, there are many non-native trees and <br /> shrubs invading that threaten the integrity of this area. Few native shrubs remain along the edges <br /> of the savanna-prairie, but some have been sparingly introduced near the existing and newly- <br /> ' planted trees, including snowberry and vine maple. <br /> Native herbaceous (non-woody) vegetation persists in very small quantities throughout the park, <br /> but has otherwise been displaced by Eurasian species now common throughout this region. <br /> Introduced grasses such as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, silver hairgrass, and several bromes, <br /> and several introduced clovers dominate the savanna-prairie. Relict populations of native <br /> species such as California oatgrass and broadpetal strawberry exist in several small areas of the <br /> savanna-prairie, and Douglas' aster and slough sedge are the only native herbaceous plants <br /> persisting in significant populations along the river. Small populations of native species such as <br /> Cusick's checkermallow and showy milkweed have been introduced in the savanna-prairie areas <br /> with the new tree and shrub plantings. <br /> Many non-native species present in the park are invasive into native plant communities and <br /> sometimes landscaped areas, and are very difficult to control. In addition to long-established, <br /> non-native "lawn weeds" and pasture grasses dominating the savanna-prairie, the following <br /> invasive species are present and spreading in the riparian area: sweet cherry, English laurel, <br /> Portugal laurel, English ivy, English hawthorn, Scot's broom, English holly, Himalaya <br /> blackberry, birdsfoot trefoil, and a new invader, false brome. Yellow flag iris is colonizing along <br /> the bank just north of the park. Residual ornamental species in the south portion of the park <br /> include invasive weeds (ornamental cherries, Italian arum, etc.), and they contribute little to <br /> ecological health of the savanna-prairie habitat. <br /> The following table summarizes characteristics of identified vegetation species identified in late <br /> winter and spring surveys on the Rasor Park site. Additional species could be identified in <br /> surveys conducted throughout the remainder of the growing season. <br /> Categories of Rasor Park vegetation (number of species per category). <br /> Category 1Sa~ve Intro (~nvas}':' Total' <br /> Trees 14 6 (2) 20 <br /> Shrubs 14 7 (6) 21 <br /> Forbs 14 44 (9) 58 <br /> Graminoids 11 13 (4) 24 <br /> Total 53 70 (18) 123 <br /> Note: Intro (Invas) =Introduced species (invasive species). <br /> "Invasive" species are a subset of "Introduced" species. <br /> Most introduced s ecies are not invasive. <br /> ~ Rasor Park Master Plan 8 City of Eugene, Parks Planning <br /> i <br /> i <br /> I <br /> I <br /> <br /> i <br /> <br />