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Hymenoclea salsola Wash Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Hymenoclea salsola Wash Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This association is currently only described from Grand Canyon. Additional global information will be added as it becomes available. This association is known from Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, where it was sampled from the Grand Wash Bay area and Pigeon Wash, as well as from the Whitmore Canyon area. This burrobrush shrubland association predominantly occurs in the bottom of drainage channels and desert washes from approximately 400 to 570 m (1300-1900 feet) elevation, typically in flat to very low-gradient (1-3 degrees) washes that generally flow south. Soils are well-drained and usually sandy, but occasionally contain silt, clay, and loam. The underlying geology is typically obscured by soil. Gravel and rocks, as well as sand and some bare soil, are common components of the ground cover. Total shrub cover typically averages 10-15 % in this association. The scattered tall shrub <i>Acacia greggii</i> punctuates stands; however, a short-shrub layer dominated by <i>Hymenoclea salsola</i> characterizes this association. The short shrubs <i>Larrea tridentata, Psorothamnus fremontii</i>, and <i>Ericameria paniculata</i> are also commonly present. The low-growing cactus <i>Opuntia basilaris</i>, while usually occurring in only trace amounts, is frequently seen in the dwarf-shrub layer. A very sparse graminoid layer exists in which <i>Bromus rubens</i> and <i>Vulpia octoflora</i> occur most frequently. Notable forbs include <i>Antheropeas lanosum, Chamaesyce polycarpa, Cryptantha</i> spp., and the exotic <i>Erodium cicutarium</i>, all of which occur occasionally at low cover. Based upon the 7 stands sampled, this association hosts below-average species diversity among Grand Canyon plant communities, with 14 species per 400-square-meter plot. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34158-{CEC7B191-6430-4414-8186-5D69EA25518A}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 19-Jul-2018 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.841830 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005398
  Translated: Burrobrush Wash Shrubland
  Scientific: Hymenoclea salsola Wash Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Hymenoclea salsola Wash Shrubland