Name:
Muhlenbergia montana Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This plant association has been described from meadows in the mountains, plateaus and foothills of Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and in north-central New Mexico. Sites are typically xeric forest openings or parks in the ponderosa pine zone with southern aspects on moderately steep slopes and ridgetops. Occasionally the stands occupy rolling parklands or volcanic cinder fields. The xeric nature of sites appears to be an important environmental factor. Substrates are shallow to moderately deep, rocky, sand- to sandy loam-textured soils. Bare soil, exposed gravels, and small rocks account for as much as 50% of the ground surface area. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense herbaceous layer that is typically dominated by the warm-season, perennial bunchgrass <i>Muhlenbergia montana</i>, but may be codominated by <i>Blepharoneuron tricholepis</i> or <i>Trisetum spicatum (= Trisetum montanum)</i> (in New Mexico). Other associated graminoids include <i>Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, Danthonia parryi, Festuca brachyphylla, Hesperostipa comata, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia filiculmis, Pascopyrum smithii, Poa secunda</i>, and <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i>. In New Mexico, deer sedges (<i>Carex inops ssp. heliophila, Carex occidentalis</i>, and <i>Carex rossii</i>) and <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i> are common associates. The typically sparse forb layer often consists of <i>Allium geyeri, Antennaria rosea, Arenaria fendleri, Eriogonum umbellatum, Heterotheca villosa</i>, and <i>Phlox diffusa</i>. Except for the abundant dwarf-shrub <i>Artemisia frigida</i>, scattered <i>Ericameria nauseosa</i> shrub, or occasional <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> trees, woody species are very sparse or absent. In New Mexico, shrubs are poorly represented, but <i>Quercus gambelii</i> and <i>Robinia neomexicana</i> may be present. The exotic grasses <i>Poa pratensis</i> and <i>Bromus tectorum</i> are common in some of these stands. Diagnostic of this grassland association is the dominance of <i>Muhlenbergia montana</i> in the herbaceous layer and low cover of <i>Festuca arizonica</i>. It can be distinguished from ~<i>Muhlenbergia montana - Hesperostipa comata</i> Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL001647)$$ by the very low cover or lack of <i>Hesperostipa comata</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.33540.CEGL001646
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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