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Eriogonum thymoides / Poa secunda Dwarf-shrub Grassland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Eriogonum thymoides / Poa secunda Dwarf-shrub Grassland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This plant association is most commonly observed in east-central Washington, though it is disjunct in southwestern Idaho. It is restricted to shallow silt loam and stony loam lithosolic soil underlain by basalt. It commonly forms a mosaic with ~<i>Artemisia rigida / Poa secunda</i> Shrub Grassland (CEGL001528)$$ and other <i>Eriogonum</i> spp.-dominated types (e.g., ~<i>Eriogonum strictum / Poa secunda</i> Dwarf-shrub Grassland (CEGL001788)$$) with which it may intergrade. The association is characterized by the presence of the low-shrub <i>Eriogonum thymoides</i> (with up to about 15% cover) over a ground layer of <i>Poa secunda</i> (with up to about 40% cover). Perennial forbs, especially <i>Allium</i> spp., <i>Lomatium</i> spp., <i>Phlox hoodii, Nestotus stenophyllus</i>, and <i>Viola beckwithii</i>, are common. The association lacks <i>Artemisia rigida</i> but may include significant amounts of <i>Eriogonum douglasii</i> or <i>Eriogonum sphaerocephalum</i> growing with the indicator species <i>Eriogonum thymoides</i>.<br /><br />This plant association is described for the Columbia Plateau of southeastern Washington. Stands are also known from the upper Hells Canyon in Idaho. The association occurs on basalt Lithosol sites ranging in elevation of 640 to 945 m (2100-3100 feet) on the Columbia Plateau and 975-1250 m (3200-4100 feet) in the upper Hells Canyon region. Stands are relatively open. <i>Eriogonum thymoides</i> dominates the dwarf-shrub canopy. <i>Poa secunda</i> is consistently the most abundant grass species; <i>Elymus elymoides</i> is typically also present. Perennial forbs are diverse and varied. Particularly constant forbs include <i>Antennaria flagellaris, Lithophragma glabrum, Lewisia rediviva</i>, and <i>Phoenicaulis cheiranthoides</i>. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30358-{6737B63F-DCE6-4CDC-B733-1804C5FD8963}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684414 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL001449
  Translated: Thymeleaf Buckwheat / Sandberg Bluegrass Dwarf-shrub Grassland
  Scientific: Eriogonum thymoides / Poa secunda Dwarf-shrub Grassland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL001449
(similar) Eriogonum thymoides / Poa secunda Dwarf-shrub Herbaceous Vegetation
(similar) Eriogonum thymoides / Poa secunda Dwarf-shrub Herbaceous Vegetation