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Glossopetalon spinescens Shrubland Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Glossopetalon spinescens Shrubland Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: These sparse shrublands occur along the rims of the Snake River and Imnaha River canyons in Idaho and eastern Oregon. Elevations range from 550-900 m, and the climate is temperate, continental. Mean annual precipitation is approximately 25-30 cm. Precipitation primarily occurs in the winter as snow or rain. This moisture is stored in the soil and in fractures in the highly weathered bedrock, and utilized during the usually dry summers. Stands are typically found on steep upper canyon slopes, but may occur on the lower canyon slopes. Sites are predominantly on hot, dry southwestern aspects although the alliance may occur on all aspects. Soils are shallow, well-drained loams or sandy loams with a high percentage of rock fragments (greater than 35% by volume and 40% ground cover), and derived from loess and various bedrock types. Vegetation included in this minor alliance has a sparse woody layer (usually less than 1 m tall) that is dominated by the xeromorphic shrub Glossopetalon spinescens (15-23% cover). The herbaceous layer is also relatively sparse (typically 10-20% cover). It is dominated by the perennial bunchgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata. Other characteristic species include the annual grass Vulpia myuros and forbs such as Achillea millefolium, Cerastium arvense, Erigeron pumilus, Opuntia polyacantha, and Phacelia heterophylla. Moss and lichen cover is moderate and averages 22% cover. Exotic species, namely Bromus tectorum, Bromus japonicus, and Bromus briziformis, are often present. Adjacent stands include grasslands dominated by Pseudoroegneria spicata on sites with deeper soils.  Accession Code: VB.CC.24301.GLOSSOPETALONSP 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: Glossopetalon spinescens Shrubland Alliance   Translated: Spiny Greasebush Shrubland Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125270 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.1032