Print Report

CEGL001777 Pleuraphis jamesii Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: James'' Galleta Grassland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This is a widespread grassland in the Colorado Plateau and elsewhere in the southwestern U.S. Vegetation is characterized by a relatively sparse to moderately dense (10-60% cover) perennial herbaceous layer that is strongly dominated by the warm-season bunchgrass Pleuraphis jamesii. Low cover of other grasses, such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia porteri, Sporobolus airoides, or Sporobolus cryptandrus, may be present. Forb cover is usually sparse and includes species of Plantago, Gilia, Lappula, and prickly pear cacti (Opuntia spp.). Many species of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present; however, they are not dense enough to form a shrub layer. Stands are found on alluvial flats, plateau parks, mesas and plains, and on post-burn slopes. Sites are flat to moderately steep (up to 53%) slopes. Elevation commonly ranges from 1050 to 1930 m, with a few sites on the western edge of the southern Rocky Mountains extending into montane zone. Landforms vary from mesatops and slopes to basin floors. Stands may be small woodland parks or more extensive grasslands on the plains. Soils in bottomland stands tend to be fine-textured; however, stands also occur on a variety of substrates. Biological soil crusts are common and may have high cover on the soil surface.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau. It is defined by the dominance of Pleuraphis jamesii in the graminoid layer without codominance of other grass species or the presence of a shrub layer. Evens et al. (2014) and McAuliffe (2016) sampled Pleuraphis jamesii-codominated stands in the eastern Mojave Desert and northern Sonoran Desert.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This association is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense perennial herbaceous layer (5-60% cover) that is strongly dominated by the warm-season bunchgrass Pleuraphis jamesii. Low cover of other grasses, such as Aristida spp., Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia porteri, Sporobolus airoides, or Sporobolus cryptandrus, may be present. Forb cover is usually sparse and includes Artemisia campestris, Chenopodium album, Cymopterus newberryi, Eriogonum inflatum, Lappula occidentalis, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea, Phacelia crenulata, Plantago patagonica, Sphaeralcea ambigua, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, and Townsendia annua along with species of Gilia, Lappula, Zinnia, and prickly-pear cacti (Opuntia spp.). Many species of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present, but they are not abundant enough to form a shrub layer. Woody species may include Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia filifolia, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia oblongifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Fallugia paradoxa, Gutierrezia spp., Krascheninnikovia lanata, Lycium andersonii, Tetradymia spp., and occasional Juniperus spp. trees. The widespread introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum and several other exotic species, such as Erodium cicutarium, Bromus rubens, Salsola kali, Bassia scoparia (= Kochia scoparia), and Sisymbrium altissimum, may be present to abundant, especially on disturbed sites. Some stands have high cover of cryptogams on the soil, including Enchylium tenax (= Collema tenax), Tortula ruralis, Tetramelas papillatus (= Buellia papillata), and Gyalolechia bracteata (= Fulgensia bracteata).

Dynamics:  Pleuraphis jamesii is both drought- and grazing-resistant (USFS 1937, Weaver and Albertson 1956, West et al. 1972). This grass is favored in mixed-grass stands because it is only moderately palatable to livestock; however, it decreases when heavily grazed during drought and in the more arid portions of its range where it is the dominant grass (West et al. 1972). This grass reproduces extensively from scaly rhizomes. These rhizomes make the plant resistant to trampling by livestock and have good soil-binding properties (USFS 1937, Weaver and Albertson 1956, West et al. 1972). This grass also can resprout or germinate post-fire and dominate in stands.
Environmental Description:  This widespread grassland association is found on a variety of sites, including alluvial flats, toeslopes, valley floors, benches, hillsides, washes, colluvial slopes, plateau parks, mesas and plains in the Colorado Plateau and elsewhere in the southwestern U.S. Elevation typically ranges from 1050 to 1930 m, with a few sites on the western edge of the southern Rocky Mountains extending to 2400 m. Landforms vary from mesatops and slopes to basin floors. Sites are flat to moderately steep (up to 53% slope). Stands may be small woodland parks or more extensive on the plains. Soils are variable. In bottomland stands, soils tend to be fine-textured; however, stands also occur on sandy loams derived from sandstone, remnant lava flow, basaltic cobbles, black or red cinders, or alluvium derived from relict Pleistocene river cobbles, sandstone, sand, or clay soils.
Geographic Range: This widespread grassland association is found on alluvial flats, plateau parks, plains, and post-burn slopes in the Colorado Plateau and elsewhere in the southwestern U.S. It is common in Utah and surrounding states as far west as the eastern Mojave Desert of California and Nevada.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, UT


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G4

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class C03 3
Subclass 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass S11 3.B
Formation 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation F033 3.B.1
Division 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division D040 3.B.1.Ne
Macrogroup 3.B.1.Ne.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup M171 3.B.1.Ne.1
Group 3.B.1.Ne.1.c James'' Galleta - Indian Ricegrass - Needle-and-Thread Semi-Desert Grassland Group G311 3.B.1.Ne.1.c
Alliance A1287 James'' Galleta Grassland Alliance A1287 3.B.1.Ne.1.c
Association CEGL001777 James'' Galleta Grassland CEGL001777 3.B.1.Ne.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Bouteloua eriopoda - Pleuraphis jamesii shrub-steppe (McAuliffe 2016)
= Hilaria jamesii Habitat Type (Francis and Aldon 1983) [needs review - may be a mixed type.]
= Hilaria jamesii Herbaceous Vegetation (Von Loh et al. 2002)
< Hilaria jamesii Series (Francis 1986) [need review; no "Pure" Pleuraphis jamesii community type was described.]
= Hilaria jamesii cover type (Collins 1984)
= Hilaria jamesii-dominated stands (Kleiner and Harper 1977)
= Pleuraphis jamesii Grassland (Evens et al. 2014)
= Pure Hilaria jamesii (Cannon 1960) [reported from northwestern New Mexico.]
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz, J. Coles and G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-20-18
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