Name:
Sporobolus airoides - Muhlenbergia asperifolia - Spartina gracilis Alkaline Wet Meadow Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
Vegetation included in this alliance is characterized by grasslands and meadows dominated by <i>Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Poa secunda, Puccinellia lemmonii, Puccinellia nuttalliana, Spartina gracilis</i>, and/or <i>Sporobolus airoides</i>, any of which may form monotypic stands. Other species that co-occur include <i>Carex microptera, Distichlis spicata, Elymus elymoides, Hordeum brachyantherum, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Juncus ensifolius, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Pascopyrum smithii</i>, and/or <i>Pseudoroegneria</i>. Forb cover is generally low with <i>Achillea millefolium, Arnica longifolia, Iris missouriensis, Stellaria longipes</i>, the annuals <i>Montia linearis</i> and <i>Trifolium cyathiferum</i>, and may include species of <i>Atriplex, Polygonum</i>, and <i>Rumex</i>. Shrubs are rare, but because of the patchy distribution of these stands, scattered <i>Atriplex canescens</i> and <i>Sarcobatus vermiculatus</i> may be present. Sites are found in lowland habitats such as playas, swales, terraces along intermittently flooded washes, and alkali flats. Any flooding that occurs tends to be the result of localized thunderstorms in the summer. Soils are variable, ranging from deep, fine-textured soil to shallow sand deposits. They are alkaline and may be moderately saline and poorly drained due to an impermeable layer. Stands are documented from eastern Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38208-{BA5C0F60-A3ED-4578-800C-5022FF3BC3FC}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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