Name:
A.868
Reference:
EcoArt 2002
Description:
This alliance occurs in California from the Central Coast south to Baja California, Mexico and in the Mojave Desert. Elevations range to 2000 m elevation. Coastal stands occur on coastal bluffs and hillslopes, and Mojave Desert sites are typically flat to moderately sloping. Soils are rocky, and desert pavement is common. Vegetation included in this alliance is characterized by a sparse to dense woody canopy up to 2 m tall that is dominated by the shrub ~Eriogonum fasciculatum$. Associated species are diverse and variable. In coastal stands shrub associates may include ~Artemisia$ spp., ~Baccharis pilularis, Encelia$ spp., ~Isocoma menziesii, Lotus scoparius, Malacothamnus fasciculatus, Diplacus aurantiacus (= Mimulus aurantiacus), Salvia$ spp., and the emergent shrub ~Rhus integrifolia$. The herbaceous layer is variable depending on shrub cover, but is often dominated by annual exotic grass species of ~Avena$ and ~Bromus$. In the Mojave Desert, ~Purshia glandulosa$ may codominate, and other shrubs commonly present include ~Ambrosia dumosa, Artemisia tridentata, Ephedra nevadensis, Ephedra viridis, Larrea tridentata, Ericameria linearifolia, Hymenoclea salsola, Grayia spinosa, Salazaria mexicana, Viguiera parishii (= Viguiera deltoidea)$, and ~Ericameria laricifolia$ in rock outcrops. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse and may include the grasses ~Elymus multisetus, Poa secunda$, and ~Achnatherum speciosum (= Stipa speciosa)$. Characteristic perennial forbs may consist of ~Argemone munita, Cheilanthes covillei, Eriogonum panamintense, Silene verecunda, Sphaeralcea ambigua$, and ~Stephanomeria pauciflora$. During wet years, annual forb species of ~Camissonia, Chaenactis, Cryptantha, Eriogonum, Langloisia, Nama, Phacelia$, and ~Silene$ can be abundant. Diagnostic of this shrubland alliance is total vegetation cover over 25% that is dominated by ~Eriogonum fasciculatum$ without significant cover of ~Salvia apiana$ or ~Cercocarpus montanus$.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.2496.A868
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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