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Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum Dwarf-shrubland Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This alliance occurs in southern Idaho in a semi-arid, continental region of relatively recent 'plains' volcanic activity. The area receives an average annual precipitation of 43 cm, with a peak in winter, during which most precipitation falls as snow. Temperatures are typically hot in summer and cold in winter. Communities in this alliance are early seral 'pioneer' types on barren volcanic cinders. The cinders are excessively drained and extremely hot in summer, presenting a very harsh microclimate for vascular plants. The volcanic activity necessary to generate substrate for this alliance is very limited and suitable habitat is rare. This is a very sparsely vegetated, dwarf-shrubland alliance. Total cover of all plant layers is typically less than 5% in midsummer, though cover may be higher in the spring due to the presence of annuals. The most important species is Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum, a cespitose, evergreen dwarf-shrub, which forms mats 3-4 dm across. This species rapidly develops a deep root system (up to 1.2 m deep), allowing it to colonize the light, porous cinders. Several perennial forbs are common into July, including Phacelia hastata, Cryptantha interrupta, Machaeranthera canescens, Chaenactis douglasii, Stephanomeria spinosa, and Stephanomeria minor (= Stephanomeria tenuifolia). The annuals Mimulus nanus and Mimulus suksdorfii are present during the spring and early summer before soil moisture is depleted, as are the perennials Allium simillimum and Lewisia rediviva.  Accession Code: VB.CC.21067.ERIOGONUMOVALIF 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: Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum Dwarf-shrubland Alliance   Translated: Cushion Wild Buckwheat Dwarf-shrubland Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125335 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.1082