Name:
Krascheninnikovia lanata Steppe & Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance includes dwarf-shrublands dwarf-shrub herbaceous vegetation scattered across the interior western U.S. Shrub layers are characterized by a sparse to moderately dense dwarf-shrub layer dominated by <i>Krascheninnikovia lanata</i>. Other woody species may include scattered <i>Artemisia frigida, Artemisia nova, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus</i> spp., <i>Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha, Rhus trilobata</i>, and <i>Yucca glauca</i>. In the Mojave Desert, <i>Ambrosia dumosa, Atriplex polycarpa, Larrea tridentata</i>, and <i>Lycium andersonii</i> may also be present. The herbaceous layer has sparse to very dense cover dominated by graminoids with scattered perennial forbs which in some stands may take prominence over shrubs. Graminoids such as <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, Pascopyrum smithii, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa secunda</i>, and <i>Pseudoroegneria spicata</i> are most abundant. Perennial forbs may include <i>Achillea millefolium, Astragalus purshii, Calochortus macrocarpus, Erigeron</i> spp., <i>Phlox hoodii, Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>, and <i>Sphaeralcea munroana</i>. Annuals may be seasonally present to abundant depending on precipitation and disturbance. Exotic annuals, such as <i>Bromus tectorum</i>, can be abundant. Elevations range from 100-2700 m. Stands occur on plateaus, plains, mesas, hillslopes, alkaline flats around playas and along drainages. Some habitats are intermittently flooded wetlands. Sites are typically flat to gently sloping, occurring on any aspect, but stands have also been reported from moderately steep slopes. Soils are calcareous, moderately alkaline and sometimes saline. Soil texture is typically stony, sandy loam, but may be coarser textured. The ground cover is mostly bare soil.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38489-{86D37377-2B07-483B-89AC-9E865B99C5F9}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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