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Encelia virginensis Shrubland Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Encelia virginensis Shrubland Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This arid shrubland alliance occurs in the Mojave Desert, and is found along drainages that dissect bajadas and in mountain canyons at lower and middle elevations (300-1950 m) in the Creosote and Mixed Shrub zones. Topography is typically flat and rolling to moderately sloping. Soils are well-drained, alkaline, and coarse-textured. Soils are derived from alluvium, colluvium and residuum. A moderately dense woody layer dominated by broad-leaved and microphyllous evergreen shrubs characterizes these shrublands. Encelia virginensis is the diagnostic species and Ericameria nauseosa (= Chrysothamnus nauseosus) is usually codominant. The shrub layer is diverse. Shrub associates may include Gutierrezia microcephala, Viguiera reticulata, Psorothamnus arborescens var. minutifolius, Purshia stansburiana (= Purshia mexicana var. stansburiana), Atriplex confertifolia, Prunus fasciculata, and Hymenoclea salsola var. salsola. The herbaceous layer is usually sparse with less than 5% cover of perennial species, such as the grasses Achnatherum speciosum (= Stipa speciosa) and Poa secunda (= Poa scabrella), and the forbs Eriogonum inflatum, Eriogonum saxatile, Penstemon fruticiformis, and Stanleya elata. Annuals are seasonally present and include species of Mimulus, Cryptantha, Phacelia, Mentzelia, Gilia, Camissonia, and Eschscholzia. The exotic annual grass Bromus rubens may dominate the understory during years of favorable winter precipitation. Diagnostic of this shrubland alliance is total vegetation cover over 25% that is dominated by Encelia virginensis.  Accession Code: VB.CC.20287.ENCELIAVIRGINEN Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: Alliance This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Scientific: Encelia virginensis Shrubland Alliance   Translated: Virgin River Brittlebush Shrubland Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.124530 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.860