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Juniperus californica / Yucca schidigera / Pleuraphis rigida Mojave Scrub | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Juniperus californica / Yucca schidigera / Pleuraphis rigida Mojave Scrub
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This wooded scrub association is commonly found in the Mojave Desert in California and extends north into Nevada where it is uncommon. It also extends into the Little San Bernardino Mountains in Joshua Tree National Park. It is characterized by an open small-tree/tall-shrub canopy (3-11% cover) composed of <i>Juniperus californica</i> and sometimes scattered <i>Yucca brevifolia</i> with a variable short-shrub layer (6-29% cover) dominated or codominated by <i>Eriogonum fasciculatum</i> and/or <i>Yucca schidigera</i>. Other commonly associated shrubs include <i>Echinocereus engelmannii, Ephedra nevadensis, Ericameria cooperi, Krameria erecta, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Cylindropuntia echinocarpa, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea, Simmondsia chinensis, Salazaria mexicana</i>, and <i>Thamnosma montana</i>. The herbaceous understory is also variable with cover ranging from 5 to 50%. It is characterized by <i>Pleuraphis rigida</i> present to dominant often with abundant <i>Achnatherum speciosum</i>. However, the exotic annual grass <i>Bromus rubens</i> frequently dominates the understory in disturbed stands. Other commonly associated species include <i>Amaranthus fimbriatus, Bouteloua barbata, Bouteloua eriopoda, Mirabilis laevis var. villosa, Porophyllum gracile</i>, and <i>Sphaeralcea ambigua</i>. Occasionally <i>Pleuraphis rigida</i> may be absent, but stands will have <i>Eriogonum fasciculatum</i> and usually <i>Yucca schidigera</i> present and similar environmental conditions, which suggests a distinctive phase or condition. Stands are found on lower rocky slopes and upper alluvial fans that are on rocky highlands and upland, mixed alluvial deposits at mid to high elevations (970-1580 m). Sites are on gentle to steep (1-30°) slopes with variable aspects. Substrates are mostly gravelly with larger rocks (bedrock, boulders, cobbles). Soils range from medium sands to loams that are derived from a variety of parent materials. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:37482-{C7A67FC7-D8EC-4A3F-8159-867F3F3DC60A}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 20-Aug-2018 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.972076
  Code: CEPP006715
  Translated: California Juniper / Mojave Yucca / Big Galleta Mojave Scrub
  Scientific: Juniperus californica / Yucca schidigera / Pleuraphis rigida Mojave Scrub