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Coleogyne ramosissima - Ephedra spp. Warm Desert Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Coleogyne ramosissima - Ephedra spp. Warm Desert Shrubland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This blackbrush shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It occurs primarily on sideslopes but can be seen on a variety of landforms, including plateaus, ridges, terraces, and valley bottoms. It generally occurs from approximately 850 to 1575 m (2750-5150 feet) elevation. While predominantly found on flat or low-gradient settings (0-15°), this association occasionally occurs on moderate to steep slopes (30-40°) as well. Soils are predominantly rapidly-drained sandy loams that rarely contain silt and clay. The underlying geology is usually limestone, shale, or less frequently sandstone. When it occurs, this vegetation type often forms vast expanses across these environments. Trees and tall shrubs are essentially absent. A short-shrub layer dominated by <i>Coleogyne ramosissima</i> with <i>Ephedra</i> spp. as an associate characterizes this association. Three species of <i>Ephedra</i> are common, with <i>Ephedra fasciculata</i> and <i>Ephedra torreyana</i> occurring most frequently. <i>Ephedra viridis</i> also occurs, but its presence is sporadic. Additionally, the short-shrub stratum often includes <i>Yucca baccata</i>. A dwarf-shrub layer typically occurs and is dominated by <i>Opuntia polyacantha</i>. Occasionally <i>Agave utahensis</i> also occurs here. The desert grasses <i>Dasyochloa pulchella, Tridens muticus</i>, and <i>Vulpia octoflora</i> are all common in a fairly sparse graminoid layer, as well as the exotic <i>Bromus rubens</i>. A variety of species, including <i>Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia</i> and <i>Erodium cicutarium</i>, occur in the relatively sparse forb understory.  Accession Code: VB.CC.31672.CEGL005297 Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.841144 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Blackbrush - Joint-fir species Warm Desert Shrubland   Scientific: Coleogyne ramosissima - Ephedra spp. Warm Desert Shrubland   Code: CEGL005297