Name:
Valeriana sitchensis - Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii - Xerophyllum tenax Subalpine Mesic Meadow Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
Vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense herbaceous layer with one or more of several diagnostic species present and often abundant, including <i>Carex geyeri, Carex spectabilis, Chamerion angustifolium, Erythronium grandiflorum, Ligusticum grayi, Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii, Sanguisorba officinalis, Valeriana sitchensis, Veratrum viride</i>, and <i>Xerophyllum tenax</i>. The herbaceous layer has a fairly diverse flora that averages of 30 species per stand. Associated species include <i>Arnica latifolia, Athyrium filix-femina, Carex nigricans, Castilleja parviflora, Claytonia cordifolia, Elymus glaucus, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Erigeron peregrinus, Festuca viridula, Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum bistortoides, Potentilla flabellifolia, Pulsatilla occidentalis, Senecio triangularis</i>, and <i>Thalictrum occidentale</i> that are often present with low cover. This alliance is found in subalpine and lower alpine meadows in the central Rocky Mountains and extends west into the Olympic Mountains and Cascade Range. This small-patch alliance occurs from 1350 to 2300 m (5800-7550 feet) elevation. Stands occur on gentle to steep slopes having predominantly southerly exposures. It is a component of a complexly patterned environment representing those positions that accumulate a deep snowload and retain it long into the growing season assuring ample soil moisture well into August. Soils are moderately well- to poorly drained.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:39158-{5DF85093-39F5-4FB0-83B7-726D0B0EE3E0}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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