 The shale soil is derived from the Mancos Formation and is silty and alkaline.Other plants in the habitat include blue grama ("Bouteloua gracilis"), black sagebrush ("Artemisia nova"), shadscale ("Atriplex confertifolia"), and snakeweed ("Gutierrezia sarothrae").Other rare plants in the area include Despain's pincushion cactus ("Pediocactus despainii"), Wright's fishhook cactus ("Sclerocactus wrightiae"), and Barneby reed-mustard ("Schoenocrambe barnebyi").