Name:
Pseudoroegneria spicata - Opuntia polyacantha Dry Canyon Slope Grassland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
The vegetation of this dry grassland alliance is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense graminoid layer of <i>Pseudoroegneria spicata</i> codominated by <i>Aristida purpurea var. longiseta</i> and/or <i>Poa secunda</i>. <i>Pseudoroegneria spicata</i> is sometimes absent or has low cover. <i>Sporobolus cryptandrus</i> and <i>Opuntia polyacantha</i> are especially abundant on disturbed sites or harsh windswept ridgetops and steep upper slopes. Important forbs include <i>Achillea millefolium, Allium acuminatum, Arnica sororia, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Castilleja</i> spp., <i>Calochortus</i> spp., <i>Crepis acuminata, Erigeron pumilus, Eriophyllum lanatum, Lupinus</i> spp., <i>Plantago patagonica</i>, and <i>Sedum stenopetalum</i>. Deciduous shrubs such as <i>Holodiscus discolor, Physocarpus malvaceus, Ribes</i> spp., <i>Rhus glabra</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos</i> spp. are occasionally present and may increase in abundance with fire exclusion. These grasslands occur in the canyons and valleys of the northern Great Basin and in the Columbia Basin, particularly along the Snake River canyon, the lower foothill slopes of the Blue Mountains, Wallowa Mountains, Hells Canyon, Seven Devil Mountains, and Salmon River Mountains of eastern Oregon, Washington and Idaho and along the main stem of the Columbia River in eastern Washington. Stands occur on gentle to steep mid and upper slopes and ridgetops in highly dissected foothills and canyon slope terrain and on stream terraces, alluvial fans, and benchlands in lower canyons. Sites are as low as 240 m and up to 1130 m elevation. Soils are typically shallow with a high percentage of rock fragments.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:39186-{45DBD3C8-FEE9-4413-BBF7-DA30A9D72852}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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