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Ephedra viridis / Pleuraphis rigida Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Ephedra viridis / Pleuraphis rigida Shrubland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This shrubland association has been described from the inner gorge of Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona. Elevations range from 580-980 m. Sites are moderate to steep, north-facing colluvial slopes below cliffs often with talus and rock outcrops. Substrate is a shallow and rocky soil that is derived from limestone, sandstone, igneous rocks. Stands have an open, short woody canopy (less than 1 m tall) that is codominated by the xeromorphic evergreen and deciduous shrubs, Ephedra viridis and Acacia greggii, with an herbaceous layer dominated by Pleuraphis rigida (= Hilaria rigida). Total vegetation cover ranges from 15-20%. Other common species may include shrubs and dwarf-shrubs such as Gutierrezia sarothrae, Sphaeralcea ambigua, Encelia farinosa or Lycium andersonii, and scattered forbs such as Galium stellatum, Machaeranthera pinnatifida or Eriogonum inflatum. Succulents are common and include Ferocactus cylindraceus (= Ferocactus acanthodes), Echinocereus engelmannii, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia erinacea, Opuntia basilaris, Echinocactus polycephalus, and Agave utahensis. Extent of the association outside the park is not known. This shrubland appears restricted to these inner-canyon habitats in the Grand Canyon. Disturbance from rockslides may be important in maintaining this successional type. Shrublands with similar species composition have been reported from California, but survey and classification work is needed to determine if they represent the same association as this type.  Accession Code: VB.CC.18882.EPHEDRAVIRIDISP Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Ephedra viridis Shrubland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Mormon-tea / Big Galleta Shrubland   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684318 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL001257   Scientific: Ephedra viridis / Pleuraphis rigida Shrubland (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Ephedra viridis / Pleuraphis rigida Shrubland