Name:
Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa - Encelia farinosa Desert Scrub Group
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This desert scrub vegetation group forms the vegetation matrix in broad valleys, lower bajadas, plains and low hills in the Mojave, western Sonoran and Lower Colorado deserts where winter (cool-season) precipitation prevails. This desert scrub is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense layer (2-50% cover) of xeromorphic, microphyllous and broad-leaved shrubs. <i>Larrea tridentata</i> and <i>Ambrosia dumosa</i> typically dominate and are diagnostic of this group, but many different shrubs, dwarf-shrubs, and cacti may codominate or form typically sparse understory layers. Associated species may include <i>Encelia farinosa, Ephedra aspera, Ephedra nevadensis, Fouquieria splendens, Lycium andersonii, Opuntia basilaris</i>, and <i>Cylindropuntia bigelovii</i>. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse, but may be seasonally abundant with ephemerals. Herbaceous species such as <i>Aristida</i> spp., <i>Chamaesyce</i> spp., <i>Cryptantha</i> spp., <i>Dasyochloa pulchella, Eriogonum inflatum, Nama</i> spp., and <i>Phacelia</i> spp. are common. On sandy sites, perennial grass <i>Pleuraphis rigida</i> may be abundant with <i>Ambrosia dumosa</i>. Stands can often appear as very open sparse vegetation, with the mostly barren ground surface being the predominant feature.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40054-{9A87A19E-2B8D-4C0B-B2B8-FCD6D322D446}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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