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Atriplex confertifolia - Picrothamnus desertorum Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Atriplex confertifolia - Picrothamnus desertorum Shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This alkaline desert association occurs the Great Basin, Columbia Basin and Colorado Plateau and is likely more widespread in the intermountain western U.S. It occurs on barren toeslopes and playas on sandy or heavy clay soils, and foothill areas where saline hardpans occur at depths of 1-2 feet. The shrubs are low-statured and open, often with very low cover (5-15%). Dominant shrubs are <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> and <i>Picrothamnus desertorum (= Artemisia spinescens)</i>. Other shrubs, such as <i>Artemisia tridentata</i> and <i>Sarcobatus vermiculatus</i> in Nevada, and <i>Coleogyne ramosissima, Gutierrezia sarothrae</i>, and <i>Tetradymia spinosa</i> in southern Utah, may be present to codominant. Herbaceous cover is generally very sparse, due to overgrazing or lack of moisture. Graminoids include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa secunda</i>, and <i>Sporobolus airoides</i>; common forbs include <i>Calochortus nuttallii, Cymopterus newberryi, Encelia nutans</i>, and <i>Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>. The annual invasive grass <i>Bromus tectorum</i> can be abundant, but its presence is variable year to year. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.34519.CEGL001295
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.2.689085 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Shadscale Saltbush / Bud Sagebrush Shrubland
  Scientific: Atriplex confertifolia - Picrothamnus desertorum Shrubland
  Code: CEGL001295