Name:
Salix bebbiana Shrubland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This riparian willow shrubland is found in the montane regions and western plains of the United States, and also along the eastern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. This community is a briefly flooded scrub-shrub wetland on slightly to moderately alkaline soils, usually near low-gradient streams. This shrubland is typically dominated by a dense growth of shrubs 0.5-3 m tall. The most abundant species in the shrub layer are Salix bebbiana, Salix scouleriana, and Salix lucida ssp. caudata (= Salix fendleriana). Other species found in this stratum include Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea ssp. sericea, Salix exigua, Salix melanopsis (= Salix fluviatilis), Salix lutea, Salix prolixa (= Salix rigida ssp. mackenzieana), Amelanchier alnifolia, and Prunus virginiana. A shorter shrub layer is sometimes present, with Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Ribes inerme, Lonicera involucrata, and Rosa acicularis. The herbaceous layer can be very abundant and predominantly graminoids; common species include Schoenoplectus spp. and/or Scirpus spp., Carex spp., Triglochin palustris, Calamagrostis canadensis, Bromus carinatus, Poa palustris, and Equisetum spp. along the wetter margins of the community. Forbs can be abundant and variable in composition, ranging from mesic-site forbs to ones adapted to drier conditions. Species include Heracleum maximum, Cicuta maculata, Geranium richardsonii, Geum macrophyllum, Gentianella amarella ssp. acuta (= Gentiana strictiflora), Prunella vulgaris, Pyrola asarifolia, Zizia aptera (= Zizia cordata), Sanicula marilandica, Viola canadensis, Vicia americana, and Ranunculus macounii.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.21930.SALIXBEBBIANASH
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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