Print Report

CEGL002729 Aquilegia micrantha - Mimulus eastwoodiae Hanging Garden

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mancos Columbine - Eastwood''s Monkeyflower Hanging Garden

Colloquial Name: Columbine - Eastwood''s Monkeyflower Hanging Garden

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: These wetland communities are scattered throughout the canyons of the Colorado Plateau in Utah, northern Arizona and western Colorado, where groundwater emerges from cracks, crevices, alcoves and ledges in cliffs to create permanently moist seeps. The dominant species within the seep are generally forbs, ferns and graminoids; however, shrubs and trees sometimes form a margin sheltering the gardens. The forb component includes a number of rare and endemic species. Characteristic forbs of this association include Adiantum capillus-veneris, Aquilegia micrantha, and Mimulus eastwoodiae. Other forbs often present that can also be abundant include Cirsium rydbergii, Epipactis gigantea, Platanthera zothecina, Zigadenus vaginatus, Maianthemum stellatum, Primula specuicola, Solidago velutina, and Dodecatheon pulchellum. Graminoids tend to be more variable from stand to stand; common species include Juncus ensifolius, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Calamagrostis scopulorum, Agrostis gigantea, Schizachyrium scoparium, Carex aurea, and Carex curatorum. The woody species that occur on the margins of these wetlands are also variable and may include Populus spp., Pinus edulis, Juniperus scopulorum, Rhus trilobata, Toxicodendron rydbergii, Clematis ligusticifolia, Cercocarpus intricatus, Ericameria nauseosa, Frangula betulifolia, and Cercocarpus montanus. Hanging gardens form exclusively in sedimentary rocks; the best developed examples occur in massive bedded sandstones of eolian origin, such as Navajo, Wingate, Cedar Mesa and Entrada sandstones. Water chemistry is variable, ranging from potable to calcareous to saline. The structure of these communities ranges from a simple crack in a vertical cliff face supporting a narrow line of herbaceous vegetation to deep, shaded alcoves supporting different plant assemblages on the backwall and on the wet colluvial floor of the alcove. Elevations range from 1250 to 1890 m (4100-6200 feet), and aspect is not important in determining stand distribution. Soils are typically poorly developed sandy loams and generally are saturated throughout the growing season.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is part of a complex of herbaceous communities collectively known as "hanging gardens." Few systematic studies of these communities have been completed (e.g., Welsh and Toft 1981, Welsh 1989, Fowler 1995), and even fewer quantitative data are available, partly because stands can be difficult or dangerous to access. The National Park Service is undertaking systematic surveys of vegetation, particularly spring and seep communities, throughout the Colorado Plateau (A. Evenden pers. comm. 2005). As more data become available, the various hanging garden associations should be revisited. John Spence, botanist at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is reported to be in the process of publishing a comprehensive study and classification of hanging gardens in the Colorado Plateau (J. Spence pers. comm. 2005).

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

Floristics: The dominant species within the seep are generally forbs, ferns and graminoids; however, mesophytic shrubs and trees sometimes form a margin sheltering the gardens. Vegetative components of hanging gardens are diverse and include a number of rare and endemic species. Aquilegia micrantha and Mimulus eastwoodiae are present to codominant. Other characteristic forbs present in many hanging gardens include Adiantum capillus-veneris, Cirsium rydbergii, Dodecatheon pulchellum, Epipactis gigantea, Euphorbia brachycera, Heterotheca villosa, Platanthera zothecina (= Habenaria zothecina), Zigadenus vaginatus, Maianthemum stellatum, Primula specuicola, and Solidago velutina (= Solidago sparsiflora). Graminoids tend to be more variable from stand to stand; common species include Juncus ensifolius, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Calamagrostis scopulorum, Dichanthelium acuminatum (= Panicum acuminatum), Agrostis gigantea, Schizachyrium scoparium, Carex aurea, and Carex curatorum. The woody species that occur on the margins of these wetlands are also variable and may include Populus spp., Pinus edulis, Juniperus scopulorum, Rhus trilobata, Toxicodendron radicans, Toxicodendron rydbergii, Clematis ligusticifolia, Cercocarpus intricatus, Ericameria nauseosa, Frangula betulifolia, and Cercocarpus montanus.

Dynamics:  The availability of water from a seep and the gradual building of soil caught and held by the moist rock surface are key to this association''s survival. This association in general is vulnerable to changes and fluctuations in water availability due to drought.
Environmental Description:  These wetland communities are scattered throughout the canyons of the Colorado Plateau in Utah, northern Arizona and western Colorado. Occurrences are defined by cracks, crevices, alcoves and ledges in cliffs where groundwater emerges to create permanently moist seeps. Hanging gardens form exclusively in sedimentary rocks; the best developed examples occur in massive bedded sandstones of eolian origin, such as Navajo, Wingate, Cedar Mesa, Moab Tongue and Entrada sandstones. Water chemistry is variable, ranging from potable to calcareous to saline. The structure of these communities ranges from a simple crack in a vertical cliff face supporting a narrow line of herbaceous vegetation to deep, shaded alcoves supporting different plant assemblages on the back wall and on the wet colluvial floor of the alcove. Elevations range from 1250 to 1890 m (4100-6200 feet), and aspect is not important in determining stand distribution. Soils are typically poorly developed sandy loams and generally are saturated throughout the growing season and may have an alkaline crust.
Geographic Range: This association is restricted to massive sandstone cliffs and slopes in canyons of the Colorado Plateau in western Colorado and southeastern Utah.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, UT


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nc Southwestern North American Warm Desert Freshwater Marsh & Bosque Division D032 2.C.4.Nc
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nc.1 Warm Desert Lowland Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M076 2.C.4.Nc.1
Group 2.C.4.Nc.1.a Maidenhair Fern species - Monkeyflower species - Columbine species Colorado Plateau Seep Group G545 2.C.4.Nc.1.a
Alliance A2506 Mancos Columbine Hanging Garden Alliance A2506 2.C.4.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002729 Mancos Columbine - Eastwood''s Monkeyflower Hanging Garden CEGL002729 2.C.4.Nc.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Aquilegia micrantha - (Mimulus eastwoodiae) Hanging Garden (Carsey et al. 2003a)
Concept Author(s): J. Spence

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

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-01-16
  • CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
  • Carsey, K., G. Kittel, K. Decker, D. J. Cooper, and D. Culver. 2003a. Field guide to the wetland and riparian plant associations of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Clark, D., M. Dela Cruz, T. Clark, J. Coles, S. Topp, A. Evenden, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Capitol Reef National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/187. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 882 pp.
  • Coles, J., A. Tendick, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2009a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Arches National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/253. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 544 pp.
  • Evenden, Angela. Personal communication. Northern Colorado Plateau Network Vegetation Program Manager, Canyon Country Research Learning Center, Moab, UT.
  • Fowler, J. F. 1995. Biogeography of hanging gardens on the Colorado Plateau. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. 209 pp plus abstract, appendices.
  • Malanson, G. P. 1980. Habitat and plant distributions in hanging gardens of the Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah. Great Basin Naturalist 40(2):178-182.
  • Malanson, G. P. 1982. The assembly of hanging gardens: Effects of age, area, and location. The American Naturalist 119:145-150.
  • Malanson, G. P., and J. Kay. 1980. Flood frequency and the assemblage of dispersal types in hanging gardens of the Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah. Great Basin Naturalist 40(2):365-371.
  • Romme, W. H., K. D. Heil, J. M. Porter, and R. Fleming. 1993. Plant communities of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. USDI National Park Service, Technical Report NPS/NAUCARE/NRTER-93/02. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Northern Arizona University. 37 pp.
  • Salas, D. E., D. Wegner, and C. Bolen. 2010a. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Navajo National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2010/298. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 160 pp.
  • Spence, J. Personal communication. Botanist, National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Glen Canyon, UT.
  • Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
  • Welsh, S. L. 1989. On the distribution of Utah''s hanging gardens. Great Basin Naturalist 49(1):1-30.
  • Welsh, S. L., and C. A. Toft. 1981. Biotic communities of hanging gardens in southeastern Utah. National Geographic Society Research Reports 13:663-681.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.