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Sporobolus flexuosus - Paspalum setaceum Grassland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Sporobolus flexuosus - Paspalum setaceum Grassland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This is a desert grassland association, known from one occurrence, in southwestern New Mexico. The association occurs in a desert valley between isolated desert mountain ranges. Most of the annual precipitation of about 35 cm occurs during the summer months as the result of convectional thunderstorms and during winter as occasional rains. Late spring and early summer are typically dry. Summers are hot, and winters can have periods of cold weather and occasional snows. This association is found on the edge of a sandy playa bottom, where there is a slight slope. The elevation of the single occurrence is 1580 m (5180 feet). <i>Sporobolus flexuosus</i> generally occurs in loose and/or blowing sands. The edge of the playa is probably inundated less often than the center of the playa, consequently salinity on the edge could be high. There is no shrub layer; the herbaceous layer averages 20-40% cover and is dominated by the perennial bunchgrass <i>Sporobolus flexuosus</i>. Several other species common to sandy substrates are present, the best indicator being the bunchgrass <i>Paspalum setaceum</i>. Forbs are moderately sparse, averaging less than 15% total cover, and in the Gray Ranch occurrence the perennial forb <i>Chamaesyce albomarginata</i> is the most abundant with 10% cover. Other species include <i>Bouteloua parryi</i> and <i>Aristida divaricata</i>. This plant association is presently known from extreme southwestern New Mexico on the Gray Ranch, Hidalgo County. Other possible locations include Texas, but the association has not been documented from there. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30603-{EB701D7D-5418-472E-A8B3-232B28E18EB7}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 06-Jul-1993 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683089 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL001694
  Translated: Mesa Dropseed - Slender Crowngrass Grassland
  Scientific: Sporobolus flexuosus - Paspalum setaceum Grassland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Sporobolus flexuosus - Paspalum setaceum Herbaceous Vegetation
(similar) CEGL001694
(similar) Sporobolus flexuosus - Paspalum setaceum Herbaceous Vegetation