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A.1517 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.1517
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: Vegetation in this alliance has only been reported from southern Idaho in a region of relatively recent 'plains' volcanic activity. The elevation where the alliance is found is roughly 1760 m. The region is semi-arid with annual precipitation ranging from 25-40 cm, falling in a bimodal pattern with winter and late spring peaks. The area is under a continental temperature regime of cold winters, hot summers, and a large diurnal variation. This alliance is found on medium-aged and older cinder cones. The weathering of these cinder deposits has proceeded far enough that water-holding capacity is increased over younger cinder deposits, which are dominated by ~Eriogonum ovalifolium$. In general, this alliance is associated with coarse, well-drained soils. A canopy of ~Purshia tridentata$ characterizes these shrublands. Other important shrubs include ~Ericameria nauseosa (= Chrysothamnus nauseosus), Eriogonum heracleoides, Ribes cereum, Symphoricarpos oreophilus$, and ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana$. The herbaceous layer is usually dominated by perennial bunch grasses, including ~Leymus cinereus, Pseudoroegneria spicata$, and ~Festuca idahoensis$. Associated forbs include ~Arabis holboellii, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Eriogonum umbellatum, Pteryxia terebinthina (= Cymopterus terebinthinus)$, and ~Lithospermum ruderale$. Adjacent vegetation is typically ~Artemisia$ steppe, ~Pseudoroegneria - Poa - Festuca$ grasslands, or ~Pinus flexilis$ woodlands. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.1276.A1517
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: V.A.7.N.b
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: PURSHIA TRIDENTATA SHRUB TALL HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
  Code: A.1517
  Common: Bitterbrush Shrub Tall Herbaceous Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Purshia tridentata Shrub Tall Herbaceous Alliance