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CEGL000063 Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos patula - Purshia tridentata Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Greenleaf Manzanita - Antelope Bitterbrush Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This forest association is common in the eastern Cascade Range of Oregon and California. It is found at elevations between 915 and 1980 m (3000-6500 feet) on all aspects of variable steepness. Soils are derived from basalt, ash, and cinders but vary in water-holding capacity. The overstory is typically a semi-open canopy (5-48% cover) of Pinus ponderosa. Other trees may occur but are always subdominant and include Abies lowiana and Pinus contorta. The shrub layer is codominated by Arctostaphylos patula, Purshia tridentata, and Ceanothus velutinus with occasional Ericameria bloomeri. The herb layer usually supports at least one grass species, such as Festuca idahoensis, Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale, and Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides. Many different forbs can be found, although none have high cover. In natural condition, this community is associated with periodic non-stand-replacing fire.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is well-documented. It may resemble other associations in the castern Cascades but can usually be distinguished by the absence Abies lowiana.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The overstory is typically a semi-open canopy (5-48% cover) of Pinus ponderosa. Other trees may occur but are always subdominant and include Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana) and Pinus contorta. The shrub layer is codominated by Arctostaphylos patula, Purshia tridentata, and Ceanothus velutinus with occasional Ericameria bloomeri. The herb layer usually supports at least one grass species, such as Festuca idahoensis, Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis), and Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides (= Sitanion hystrix). Many different forbs can be found, although none have high cover.

Dynamics:  In natural condition, this community is associated with periodic non-stand-replacing fire.

Environmental Description:  This forest association is found at elevations between 915 and 1980 m (3000-6500 feet) on all aspects of variable steepness. Soils are derived from basalt, ash, and cinders but vary in water-holding capacity.

Geographic Range: This association is common in the eastern Cascades from central Oregon to northern California.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA, OR




Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G3

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos patula - Purshia tridentata Woodland (DiPaolo et al. 2018)
? Ponderosa Pine / Bitterbrush - Manzanita / Fescue (Volland 1985)
? Ponderosa Pine / Bitterbrush - Manzanita / Needlegrass (Volland 1985)
= Ponderosa Pine / Bitterbrush - Manzanita / Sedge (Volland 1985)

Concept Author(s): M.P. Murray

Author of Description: M.P. Murray

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-26-97

  • Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
  • Dealy, J. E. 1971. Habitat characteristics of the Silver Lake mule deer range. Research Paper PNW-125. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR. 99 pp.
  • DiPaolo, D. A., D. C. Odion, K. M. Rolih, P. Adamus, and D. A. Sarr. 2018. Vegetation classification and mapping: Crater Lake National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/CRLA/NRR--2018/1663. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 550 pp.
  • DiPaolo, D. A., S. B. Smith, D. C. Odion, J. H. Ives, and D. A. Sarr. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping: Lava Beds National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/LABE/NRR--2015/1098. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 262 pp.
  • Dyrness, C. T. 1960. Soil-vegetation relationships within the ponderosa pine type in the central Oregon pumice region. Unpublished dissertation. Oregon State College, Corvallis.
  • Dyrness, C. T., and C. T. Youngberg. 1966. Soil-vegetation relationships within the ponderosa pine type in the central Oregon pumice region. Ecology 47:122-138.
  • Hopkins, W. E. 1979a. Plant associations of the Fremont National Forest. Technical Report R6-ECOL-79-004. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland.
  • Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
  • Marsh, F., R. Helliwell, and J. Rodgers. 1987. Plant association guide for the commercial forest of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indians.
  • Smith, S. 1994b. Ecological guide to eastside pine plant associations, northeastern California. R5-ECOL-TP-004. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, San Francisco, CA. 174 pp.
  • Volland, L. A. 1976. Plant communities of the central Oregon pumice zone. USDA Forest Service R-6 Area Guide 4-2. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 113 pp.
  • Volland, L. A. 1985. Plant associations of the central Oregon pumice zone. USDA Forest Service R6-ECOL-104-1985. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 138 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.