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Pinus flexilis / Purshia tridentata Woodland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Pinus flexilis / Purshia tridentata Woodland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This woodland association is known from stands located on recent, relatively unweathered mafic lava flows of the Great Rift System, within the Snake River Basalt ecoregional section. The plant association occurs in a semi-arid climatic region, on relatively recent mafic volcanic flow substrates. The area has an average annual precipitation of 17 inches, with a peak in winter. Most precipitation occurs as snow. Temperatures are typically hot in summer and cold in winter. The association occurs on weathered cinder deposits and fractured mafic lava flows. The best stand development occurs on the highly fissured and mounded olivine pahoehoe basalt. The undulating terrain consists of alternating lava pressure ridges and valleys created through the collapse of lava tubes. Soils are poorly developed and consist of wind-blown sand or decomposed plant litter. The surface of the pahoehoe basalt is hot and dry. However, ameliorating effects of the thick basalt slabs on soil moisture and temperature may result in relatively mesic growing environments. Soil and snow collect in fissures and depressions. These sites also may reduce exposure to desiccating winds and solar radiation. This association consists of an open canopy of the needle-leaved, evergreen tree Pinus flexilis. These trees are of a lower stature than usual, reaching only 5 m in height. A shrub layer is present, dominated by Purshia tridentata, also growing in a shorter form than found in more favorable locations. Several other shrubs are associated, including Ericameria nauseosa (= Chrysothamnus nauseosus), Ribes cereum, Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Holodiscus dumosus, Leptodactylon pungens, and Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana. Total shrub cover is moderate. The herbaceous layer is diverse, but not abundant. The most important graminoids include the perennial bunch grasses Elymus elymoides, Poa secunda, and Achnatherum thurberianum (= Stipa thurberiana). The most common forbs include the annuals Mimulus nanus, Cistanthe rosea, and Gayophytum decipiens, and the suffrutescent perennials Eriogonum umbellatum and Eriogonum ovalifolium.  Accession Code: VB.CC.23466.PINUSFLEXILISPU 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: Pinus flexilis Woodland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Limber Pine / Bitterbrush Woodland   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686673 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL000814   Scientific: Pinus flexilis / Purshia tridentata Woodland   Common: Limber Pine / Antelope Bitterbrush (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Pinus flexilis / Purshia tridentata Woodland