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Pinus flexilis / Purshia tridentata Woodland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Pinus flexilis / Purshia tridentata Woodland Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019 Description: This woodland association is known from stands located on recent, relatively unweathered mafic lava flows of the Great Rift System, within the Snake River Basalt ecoregional section. The plant association occurs in a semi-arid climatic region, on relatively recent mafic volcanic flow substrates. The area has an average annual precipitation of 43 cm (17 inches), with a peak in winter. Most precipitation occurs as snow. Temperatures are typically hot in summer and cold in winter. The association occurs on weathered cinder deposits and fractured mafic lava flows. The best stand development occurs on the highly fissured and mounded olivine pahoehoe basalt. The undulating terrain consists of alternating lava pressure ridges and valleys created through the collapse of lava tubes. Soils are poorly developed and consist of wind-blown sand or decomposed plant litter. The surface of the pahoehoe basalt is hot and dry. However, ameliorating effects of the thick basalt slabs on soil moisture and temperature may result in relatively mesic growing environments. Soil and snow collect in fissures and depressions. These sites also may reduce exposure to desiccating winds and solar radiation. This association consists of an open canopy of the needle-leaved, evergreen tree <i>Pinus flexilis</i>. These trees are of a lower stature than usual, reaching only 5 m in height. A shrub layer is present, dominated by <i>Purshia tridentata</i>, also growing in a shorter form than found in more favorable locations. Several other shrubs are associated, including <i>Ericameria nauseosa, Ribes cereum, Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Holodiscus dumosus, Linanthus pungens</i>, and <i>Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana</i>. Total shrub cover is moderate. The herbaceous layer is diverse, but not abundant. The most important graminoids include the perennial bunchgrasses <i>Elymus elymoides, Poa secunda</i>, and <i>Achnatherum thurberianum</i>. The most common forbs include the annuals <i>Mimulus nanus, Cistanthe rosea</i>, and <i>Gayophytum decipiens</i>, and the suffrutescent perennials <i>Eriogonum umbellatum</i> and <i>Eriogonum ovalifolium</i>.  Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:29723-{6A31D940-C2DC-4F6A-B536-91E393DD46BB} Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 21-Sep-1993 to: ongoing
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Pinus flexilis / Shrub Understory Central Rocky Mountain Woodland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686673 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL000814   Translated: Limber Pine / Antelope Bitterbrush Woodland   Scientific: Pinus flexilis / Purshia tridentata Woodland (convergence) and Synonyms: (similar) Pinus flexilis / Purshia tridentata Woodland (similar) Pinus flexilis / Purshia tridentata Woodland (similar) CEGL000814