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Lycium andersonii - Ephedra (torreyana, viridis) Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Lycium andersonii - Ephedra (torreyana, viridis) Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in the Colorado Plateau. Vegetation is characterized by the codominance of the short shrubs <i>Lycium andersonii</i> and <i>Ephedra torreyana</i>. In rare stands in which <i>Ephedra torreyana</i> is not present, <i>Ephedra viridis</i> occurs in its place. Tall shrubs are absent. The short-shrub layer also commonly includes <i>Encelia farinosa</i>; however, at least 20 different short-shrub associates can occur at low individual covers. A sparse dwarf-shrub layer of <i>Gutierrezia</i> spp. and <i>Opuntia polyacantha</i> occasionally occurs. The graminoid understory is well-developed and can be particularly dense in some stands with <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i> frequently dominant with other grasses such as <i>Aristida purpurea, Bromus rubens</i> (exotic), <i>Dasyochloa pulchella</i>, and <i>Muhlenbergia porteri</i>. <i>Bouteloua eriopoda</i> does not occur frequently, but can be dominant in some stands. A somewhat sparse forb understory occasionally includes <i>Cryptantha</i> spp., <i>Eriogonum inflatum, Erodium cicutarium</i> (exotic), <i>Porophyllum gracile</i>, and <i>Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia</i>. Stands typically occur on sideslopes at 925 to 1447 m (3075-4750 feet) elevation, but can be found as low as 750 m (2450 feet). It is primarily found on moderately steep gradients (20-32°), but is also occasionally found on gentler slopes (7-16°). It shows some preference for north- and east-facing slopes, but can also occur on west-facing aspects. Soils are rapidly drained sandy loams, and the underlying geology is typically sandstone or, less frequently, limestone or shale. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:33915-{8E3D6D6C-F016-41B2-89BC-F7896D7CCCC9}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 14-Jul-2016 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.840602 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005150
  Translated: Water Jacket - (Torrey's Joint-fir, Mormon-tea) Shrubland
  Scientific: Lycium andersonii - Ephedra (torreyana, viridis) Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Lycium andersonii - Ephedra (torreyana, viridis) Shrubland