Name:
Bouteloua eriopoda - Bouteloua curtipendula Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This semi-desert grassland association occurs on bajadas and midslopes of small desert mountain ranges and mesas, from south-central New Mexico to southeastern Arizona and likely extends into northern Mexico. Elevations range from 1340-1650 m. Slopes can be gentle to somewhat steep and with variable aspects. Parent materials are sandstone and limestone colluvium. Soils are sandy loam in texture, often with much gravel and rock on the soil surface (over 50% cover together). This association is characterized by sparse to moderate cover of perennial bunch grasses, of which Bouteloua eriopoda and Bouteloua curtipendula are the most abundant and characteristic species. Cover of these 2 species ranges from 1-10%, and from less than 1% to over 20%, respectively. Several other perennial grasses may be present including Aristida spp., Dasyochloa pulchella (= Erioneuron pulchellum), Bouteloua gracilis, Pleuraphis mutica (= Hilaria mutica), and Muhlenbergia porteri. The forb component is variable and diverse with total forb cover less than 10% and often less than 5%. Forb species typical of these desert grasslands may include Allionia incarnata, Bahia absinthifolia, Baileya multiradiata, Croton texensis, Gaillardia pulchella, Melampodium leucanthum, Penstemon fendleri, and Zinnia spp. Most stands have scattered shrubs present, typically having less than 10% cover. Most species are microphyllous evergreens or succulents, the former including Ephedra trifurca, Ephedra nevadensis, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Gutierrezia microcephala; the later including Yucca elata, Yucca baccata, and Opuntia spp. Other shrubs may include Acacia constricta, Aloysia wrightii, Parthenium incanum, and Prosopis glandulosa. The diagnostic characteristics of this sparse to moderately dense grassland are the codominance of Bouteloua eriopoda and Bouteloua curtipendula often with scattered Ephedra spp. or other desert shrubs.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18836.BOUTELOUAERIOPO
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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