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Phyllodoce empetriformis - Phyllodoce glanduliflora / Sibbaldia procumbens Alpine Snowbed Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Phyllodoce empetriformis - Phyllodoce glanduliflora / Sibbaldia procumbens Alpine Snowbed Dwarf-shrubland Alliance Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019 Description: The vegetation of this alpine alliance is characterized by an open to moderately dense, often discontinuous dwarf-shrub layer with a moderately dense herbaceous layer. The dwarf-shrub layer is dominated by the heath species <i>Phyllodoce glanduliflora, Phyllodoce empetriformis</i>, and/or their hybrid <i>Phyllodoce x intermedia</i>. <i>Kalmia microphylla, Salix arctica</i>, and <i>Vaccinium scoparium</i> are the only other dwarf-shrubs of note. <i>Sibbaldia procumbens</i> is diagnostic of the chionophilous nature of this community. High-constancy graminoids include <i>Carex nigricans, Carex paysonis, Luzula glabrata, Phleum alpinum, Poa secunda</i>, and a variable combination of <i>Juncus</i> species, including <i>Juncus drummondii, Juncus mertensianus</i>, and <i>Juncus parryi</i>. High-constancy forbs include <i>Antennaria lanata, Arenaria capillaris, Erigeron peregrinus, Hieracium gracile, Hypericum scouleri, Packera streptanthifolia, Polygonum bistortoides</i>, and <i>Veronica wormskjoldii</i>. This alpine alliance occurs in late-melting snowbeds from mountain ranges of in the central Rocky Mountains. Stands occur as small patches from the upper subalpine to alpine environments and are documented from 1930 to 3200 m elevation. Sites often occur on the lee sides of ridges and in depressions where snow accumulates in winter. This relatively deep snow layer protects the dwarf-shrub vegetation from desiccation from winter winds, melting off relatively late and creating wet to moist soil conditions during the relatively short growing season. This alliance often occurs in a matrix with other snowbed types.  Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38465-{2EC637D4-3CB2-431E-A311-5BA986CFD6D8} Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 14-Mar-2014 to: ongoing
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Dryas octopetala - Phyllodoce spp. - Salix arctica Alpine Dwarf-shrubland & Krummholz Group This Community's Level: Alliance This Community's Children: Show/Hide   Phyllodoce empetriformis / Antennaria lanata Dwarf-shrubland   Phyllodoce glanduliflora / Sibbaldia procumbens Dwarf-shrubland		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899302 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A3177   Translated: Pink Mountain-heath - Yellow Mountain-heath / Creeping Sibbaldia Alpine Snowbed Dwarf-shrubland Alliance   Common: Mountain-heath / Creeping Sibbaldia Alpine Snowbed Dwarf-shrubland   Scientific: Phyllodoce empetriformis - Phyllodoce glanduliflora / Sibbaldia procumbens Alpine Snowbed Dwarf-shrubland Alliance