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Carex helleri - Saxifraga tolmiei - Luzula spicata Alpine Meadow | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Carex helleri - Saxifraga tolmiei - Luzula spicata Alpine Meadow
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This herbaceous association is currently only known from Yosemite National Park in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. This alpine herbaceous/grassland association grows in sheltered cold concavities that retain snowpatches, often persisting until late July. Elevations average about 3100 m (10,200 feet). Stands are found on moderately steep to steep midslopes, and aspects are north to east. Soils are rapidly drained sands derived from granitic and metamorphic parent materials. Much of the substrate is broken talus or bedrock. This sparse herbaceous/grassland association forms an open canopy less than 0.5 m in height. Total vegetative cover is less than 20%. Stands are codominated by the graminoid <i>Carex helleri</i> and the forb <i>Saxifraga tolmiei</i>. <i>Luzula divaricata</i> is also diagnostic but has lower constancy than the dominant species. This vegetation is not very diverse; only nine species were recorded from a plot. Other graminoids recorded at trace amounts include <i>Carex breweri</i> and/or <i>Trisetum spicatum</i>. Forbs present in trace amounts may include <i>Arabis lyallii, Arabis platysperma, Lupinus lepidus</i>, and/or <i>Silene sargentii</i>. Traces of emergent krummholz <i>Pinus albicaulis</i> may be present. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:32022-{E47C0C9D-3F6A-46A5-AD8C-DD0B76A912CB}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 06-May-2010 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688804 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL003139
  Translated: Heller's Sedge - Tolmie's Saxifrage - Spiked Woodrush Alpine Meadow
  Scientific: Carex helleri - Saxifraga tolmiei - Luzula spicata Alpine Meadow
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Carex helleri - Saxifraga tolmiei - Luzula spicata Herbaceous Vegetation
(similar) Carex helleri - Saxifraga tolmiei - Luzula spicata Herbaceous Vegetation