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Opuntia littoralis Shrubland Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Opuntia littoralis Shrubland Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This shrubland alliance of California's outer, southern coastal ranges, the Channel Islands, and coastal Baja California grows on steep slopes with shallow soils. The water-holding capacity of the soils is very low, and the long summer dry season exposes this alliance to severe drought stress. Yearly precipitation is typically less than 30 cm and falls predominantly between November and April. Several cacti and summer-dormant shrubs are part of this community. The alliance is found between sea level and 1200 m, often on south-facing slopes. The conspicuousness, and occasional dominance, of stem-succulent cacti species characterize this coastal scrub alliance. Opuntia spp. are the most common, particularly Opuntia littoralis, Opuntia oricola, Opuntia prolifera, and Opuntia californica var. parkeri (= Opuntia parryi). Several other shrub species are usually present, most of them summer dormant, leaf succulents. These species may include Artemisia californica, Encelia californica, Cneoridium dumosum, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Euphorbia misera, Cleome isomeris, Mirabilis californica, Salvia mellifera, and Lycium spp. Emergent individuals of taller shrubs, such as Rhus integrifolia and/or Sambucus mexicana, can be present. The herbaceous layer is highly variable, but perennial succulents of the genus Dudleya are usually present.  Accession Code: VB.CC.27485.OPUNTIALITTORAL 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: Opuntia littoralis Shrubland Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.124647 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.879   Translated: Coastal Prickly-pear Shrubland Alliance