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Chamaecyparis lawsoniana - Pseudotsuga menziesii / (Rhododendron macrophyllum) / Xerophyllum tenax Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana - Pseudotsuga menziesii / (Rhododendron macrophyllum) / Xerophyllum tenax Forest Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This coniferous forest association is found in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California between 720-980 m elevation. Stands normally occupy serpentine soils on convex sideslopes or gently rolling ridge positions between drainages. Soils are derived from ultramafic parent material. This association forms large forest patches in a matrix with other terrestrial communities. The mature tree canopy attains 85% cover, and is dominated by <i>Chamaecyparis lawsoniana</i> and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>, often with some <i>Tsuga heterophylla</i>. More light filters through the canopy than one would expect because the ultramafic parent materials decreases crown vigor. The shrub stratum is highly variable, well developed in some areas and nearly absent in others. The average cover of the shrub layer is 30%, much lower than most other <i>Chamaecyparis</i> associations. The dominant shrubs include <i>Lithocarpus densiflorus, Rhododendron macrophyllum, Gaultheria shallon</i> and <i>Mahonia nervosa (= var. nervosa)</i>. The moderately dense herbaceous layer is dominated by <i>Xerophyllum tenax</i> which is a clear indicator of ultramafic soils. <i>Xerophyllum tenax</i> occurs in most plots with high cover and density, but decreases when the stand spills onto concave landforms. The herbaceous layer is not very diverse, but may include <i>Polystichum munitum, Goodyera oblongifolia, Iris innominata, Galium ambiguum, Trillium rivale, Erythronium oregonum</i>, and <i>Pyrola picta</i>. Most of these herbs are associated with ultramafic soils. This is the only <i>Chamaecyparis lawsoniana</i> association with clear dominance of <i>Xerophyllum tenax</i> in the herbaceous layer.  Accession Code: VB.CC.34042.CEGL000044 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.2.687481 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Port Orford-cedar - Douglas-fir / (Pacific Rhododendron) / Common Beargrass Forest   Scientific: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana - Pseudotsuga menziesii / (Rhododendron macrophyllum) / Xerophyllum tenax Forest   Code: CEGL000044