Name:
Aquilegia micrantha - Mimulus eastwoodiae Hanging Garden
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
These wetland communities are scattered throughout the canyons of the Colorado Plateau in Utah, northern Arizona and western Colorado, where groundwater emerges from cracks, crevices, alcoves and ledges in cliffs to create permanently moist seeps. The dominant species within the seep are generally forbs, ferns and graminoids; however, shrubs and trees sometimes form a margin sheltering the gardens. The forb component includes a number of rare and endemic species. Characteristic forbs of this association include <i>Adiantum capillus-veneris, Aquilegia micrantha</i>, and <i>Mimulus eastwoodiae</i>. Other forbs often present that can also be abundant include <i>Cirsium rydbergii, Epipactis gigantea, Platanthera zothecina, Zigadenus vaginatus, Maianthemum stellatum, Primula specuicola, Solidago velutina</i>, and <i>Dodecatheon pulchellum</i>. Graminoids tend to be more variable from stand to stand; common species include <i>Juncus ensifolius, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Calamagrostis scopulorum, Agrostis gigantea, Schizachyrium scoparium, Carex aurea</i>, and <i>Carex curatorum</i>. The woody species that occur on the margins of these wetlands are also variable and may include <i>Populus</i> spp., <i>Pinus edulis, Juniperus scopulorum, Rhus trilobata, Toxicodendron rydbergii, Clematis ligusticifolia, Cercocarpus intricatus, Ericameria nauseosa, Frangula betulifolia</i>, and <i>Cercocarpus montanus</i>. Hanging gardens form exclusively in sedimentary rocks; the best developed examples occur in massive bedded sandstones of eolian origin, such as Navajo, Wingate, Cedar Mesa and Entrada sandstones. Water chemistry is variable, ranging from potable to calcareous to saline. The structure of these communities ranges from a simple crack in a vertical cliff face supporting a narrow line of herbaceous vegetation to deep, shaded alcoves supporting different plant assemblages on the backwall and on the wet colluvial floor of the alcove. Elevations range from 1250 to 1890 m (4100-6200 feet), and aspect is not important in determining stand distribution. Soils are typically poorly developed sandy loams and generally are saturated throughout the growing season.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:31636-{8E0F22A5-6CE4-4580-98A6-BD518A44C0F0}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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