Name:
Ceanothus velutinus Shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
Patches of this early-seral shrubland occur on montane slopes in western Colorado, northwestern Wyoming and the Black Hills of South Dakota, although it is likely to be more common and widespread than is currently reported. Stands have been recorded above 1400 m (4500 feet) elevation in South Dakota and as high as 2690 m (8825 feet) in western Colorado. Typical occurrences are an acre or two in size and are somewhat isolated, as they are usually part of a mosaic of post-burn vegetation types. Sites range from moderate to steep (14-73% slope) and tend to prefer cooler north or east aspects. Parent materials are variable, and soils are well-drained, rocky and generally coarse in texture. <i>Ceanothus velutinus</i> is a slow-growing shrub; it may take 20 years following fire before the shrub will dominate a stand. The vegetation in mature stands is dominated by a uniform layer of 1- to 2-m tall shrubs. <i>Ceanothus velutinus</i> is the major dominant, although there may be a few scattered <i>Spiraea betulifolia, Symphoricarpos</i> spp., <i>Mahonia repens, Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus</i> spp., <i>Rosa</i> spp., <i>Amelanchier</i> sp., and <i>Prunus virginiana</i>, among others. A variety of herbaceous species may be present, including <i>Carex geyeri, Achnatherum</i> spp., <i>Hesperostipa comata, Elymus</i> spp., <i>Heterotheca villosa, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Eriogonum umbellatum, Geranium viscosissimum, Thalictrum</i> sp., and <i>Campanula rotundifolia</i>, and may occur in the looser "openings" in the shrub layer, but <i>Ceanothus velutinus</i> can form a dense canopy and shade out the ground layer. Seedlings and saplings of <i>Populus tremuloides</i> or <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> may have nearly as much cover as the shrub layer.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:31076-{B4205876-3A80-4325-AF4E-FF39CE190A1B}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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