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A.867 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.867
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: This arid shrubland alliance occurs on a variety of sites in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Stands are found locally throughout much of the nearly level ~Larrea tridentata$-dominated intermountain basins, on rocky bajadas, and on bouldery or rocky slopes of mountains and canyons. Elevations range from -75 to 1100 m. Level to gently sloping sites often have a desert pavement surface. Soils are shallow, well-drained, poorly developed and often rocky, derived from coarse-textured alluvium or colluvium. Vegetation included in this alliance is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense woody layer that is dominated by ~Encelia farinosa$. Other characteristic shrubs may include ~Larrea tridentata, Ambrosia dumosa, Ephedra$ spp., ~Fouquieria splendens$, and ~Krameria grayi$. Cacti, such as ~Ferocactus cylindraceus (= Ferocactus acanthodes), Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia acanthocarpa, Echinocactus polycephalus$, and ~Echinocereus engelmannii$ may be present to abundant. The herbaceous layer is usually sparse. Common perennial species may include ~Eriogonum inflatum$ and ~Dasyochloa pulchella (= Erioneuron pulchellum)$. Annuals are seasonally present, and species such as the exotic ~Bromus rubens$ may dominate the understory during years of favorable winter precipitation. On slopes, vegetation is often patchily distributed around rock outcrops where suitable habitat is present. Diagnostic of this shrubland alliance is total vegetation cover of over 25% that is dominated by ~Encelia farinosa$. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.2495.A867
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: III.A.5.N.b
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: ENCELIA FARINOSA SHRUBLAND ALLIANCE
  Code: A.867
  Common: Brittlebush Shrubland Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Encelia farinosa Shrubland Alliance