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Pleuraphis rigida / (Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Ericameria cooperi) Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Pleuraphis rigida / (Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Ericameria cooperi) Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This association is found at mid to upper elevations in the Mojave Desert in Arizona and California and is characterized by an open herbaceous layer (8-12% cover) that is dominated by <i>Pleuraphis rigida</i> with <i>Muhlenbergia porteri</i> often present to codominant. There is also a sparse to open shrub canopy (5-12% cover) with <i>Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus</i> and/or <i>Ericameria cooperi</i> characteristically present to codominant. Other shrubs often present or with low cover include <i>Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra</i> spp., <i>Eriogonum fasciculatum, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Hymenoclea salsola, Lycium andersonii, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Cylindropuntia ramosissima, Ephedra</i> spp., <i>Grusonia parishii, Salazaria mexicana, Senna armata</i>, and <i>Yucca schidigera</i>. Commonly associated herbs with significant cover include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Amsinckia</i> spp., <i>Bouteloua eriopoda, Eriogonum deflexum, Gilia</i> spp., and invasive exotics <i>Bromus rubens</i> and <i>Erodium cicutarium</i>. Occasional emergent <i>Yucca brevifolia</i> trees may be present with up to 0.5% cover. Cryptogamic crusts are commonly present. Stands occur from valley bottoms to midslopes and mesas at neutral to cool, northwesterly to southeasterly aspects at 800-1450 m elevation. Slopes range from flat to moderate (to 6°). Soils are typically loamy and are derived from sedimentary or igneous substrates such as alluvium or rhyolite. Stands often are an artifact of recent or past grazing and/or fire disturbance, where the shrub layer is recovering and can be rich in species composition. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:37500-{2F7AFAAB-949D-45A6-8324-0A1D62E8689E}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 24-Apr-2018 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.972017
  Code: CEPP006733
  Translated: Big Galleta / (Rayless Goldenhead, Cooper's Goldenbush) Shrubland
  Scientific: Pleuraphis rigida / (Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Ericameria cooperi) Shrubland