Name:
Pascopyrum smithii Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This midgrass prairie type is found in the northern and western Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Colorado Plateau, and the interior western United States and Canada at elevations from 600-3000 m (1960-9850 feet). Stands occur on level to gently sloping terrain. They are found on alluvial fans, swales, river terraces, floodplains, valley floors and basins. The soils are typically clay, clay loam, and silt loam but may include sand or loamy sand. <i>Pascopyrum smithii</i> strongly dominates the open to dense (15-100% cover) mixedgrass herbaceous layer that grows 0.5-1 m tall. Other graminoids that co-occur and may achieve local dominance are <i>Koeleria macrantha, Eleocharis palustris</i>, and <i>Poa</i> spp. Many other species common in midgrass prairies and other grasslands are also found in this community, including <i>Artemisia ludoviciana, Eriogonum</i> spp., <i>Bouteloua gracilis, Nassella viridula</i>, and <i>Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata)</i>. Shrubs and dwarf-shrubs are rare in this community, but occasional woody plants, such as <i>Artemisia tridentata, Symphoricarpos</i> spp., <i>Ericameria nauseosa</i>, or <i>Krascheninnikovia lanata</i>, may be present. Introduced species, such as <i>Bromus tectorum, Bromus inermis, Poa pratensis, Melilotus</i> spp. or <i>Cirsium arvense</i>, are common in some stands, especially where disturbed.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.33612.CEGL001577
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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