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Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Distichlis spicata Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Distichlis spicata Shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This association is reported from western Montana to Washington, south to Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Elevation ranges from approximately 600-2300 m. It forms expansive shrublands on broad floodplains along large rivers and streams, on the margins of upland seeps, and forms an outer ring around playas above the <i>Distichlis spicata</i>-dominated center. Flooding is generally intermittent. Substrates are deep, alkaline, saline and generally fine-textured soils with a perennial high water table. However, in southern Colorado's San Luis Valley, stands grow between salt flat depressions (playas) on sandy hummocks approximately 1.2 m above the lakebed. The vegetation is characterized by a fairly open to moderate shrub canopy (18-60% cover) dominated by <i>Sarcobatus vermiculatus</i> with an herbaceous layer dominated by the rhizomatous graminoid <i>Distichlis spicata</i> (10-80% cover). Associated shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may include <i>Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae</i>, and <i>Tetradymia canescens</i>. <i>Sporobolus airoides</i> may codominate the graminoid layer, and <i>Hordeum jubatum</i> is common in disturbed stands. <i>Juncus balticus</i> and <i>Leymus cinereus</i> are also present in some stands. The forb layer is generally sparse and composed of species such as <i>Iva axillaris</i> and <i>Ipomopsis</i> spp. Introduced species may be present to abundant in disturbed stands. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.32426.CEGL001363
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.2.684720 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Greasewood / Saltgrass Shrubland
  Scientific: Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Distichlis spicata Shrubland
  Code: CEGL001363