Name:
Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Geranium viscosissimum Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This dry-mesic, mid-height grassland is found in the northwestern Great Plains and mountain and foothill slopes on both sides of the Continental Divide of Montana. It occurs on mesic sites from 900-2100 m (3000-7000 feet) elevation on any aspect, becoming restricted to west- and southwest-facing slopes farther north. Slopes vary from flat to gentle toeslopes and lowslopes, generally less than 30%. Soils are loamy and moderately deep on a variety of soil parent materials. This midgrass community is dominated by Festuca campestris and Festuca idahoensis, but Festuca campestris generally has the greater canopy cover and can be more abundant on undisturbed sites. A diverse assemblage of herbaceous species, with a significant forb component, has a combined cover ranging from 30-85%. Carex obtusata may be common, especially on more mesic sites. Other graminoids may also be found, including Danthonia intermedia, Koeleria macrantha, Phleum pratense, Achnatherum nelsonii, and Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis). The diagnostic forb for this association is Geranium viscosissimum, which is often in association with, in varying combinations, Potentilla gracilis, Potentilla glandulosa, and Carex petasata that individually or in the aggregate have >1% cover. Other forbs may include Achillea millefolium, Galium boreale, Selaginella densa, Lupinus sericeus, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Castilleja rhexiifolia, Calamagrostis rubescens, and Geum triflorum. Shrubs are typically present, though in low stature and cover, generally <10%. Shrub species that may be present include Artemisia frigida, Artemisia campestris, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Rosa arkansana, Amelanchier alnifolia, and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. This association is distinguished from the similar Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL005875) by the characterized presence of Geranium viscosissimum and Potentilla gracilis, with a greater abundance of Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis) and Pseudoroegneria spicata than generally present in the former.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.24978.FESTUCACAMPESTR
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
