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CEGL000967 Cercocarpus ledifolius / Pseudoroegneria spicata Scrub
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Scrub
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This small-patch association occurs in isolated stands throughout the interior western U.S. Sites are generally located in gentle to moderately steep, dry, rocky habitats, where soils are patchy and shallow and fracturing allows Cercocarpus roots to penetrate the underlying bedrock. Elevations range from 1400 m (4600 feet) in Montana to over 2600 m (8530 feet) in western Colorado. The substrate is often limestone, less often quartzite or sandstone. This tall shrubland is dominated by Cercocarpus ledifolius, often treelike in form. Scattered Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, and Pinus edulis may also occur in the canopy. Total canopy cover is between 30 and 60%. There is usually no developed shrub layer, but Amelanchier utahensis, Amelanchier alnifolia, Artemisia nova, Artemisia tridentata, Physocarpus monogynus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Juniperus communis may be present. Prunus virginiana is absent or has very low cover. Herbaceous species have relatively high cover (20-30%), dominated by Pseudoroegneria spicata. Other graminoid species with significant cover include Achnatherum hymenoides and Hesperostipa comata, and common forbs include Artemisia frigida, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Hackelia patens, Mertensia oblongifolia, Phlox hoodii, and Petradoria pumila.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This tall shrubland is dominated by Cercocarpus ledifolius, often treelike in form. Scattered Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, and Pinus edulis may also occur in the canopy. Total canopy cover is between 30 and 60%. There is usually no developed shrub layer, but Amelanchier utahensis, Amelanchier alnifolia, Artemisia nova, Artemisia tridentata, Physocarpus monogynus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Juniperus communis may be present. Prunus virginiana is absent or has very low cover. Herbaceous species have relatively high cover (20-30%), dominated by Pseudoroegneria spicata. Other graminoid species with significant cover include Achnatherum hymenoides and Hesperostipa comata, and common forbs include Artemisia frigida, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Hackelia patens, Mertensia oblongifolia, Phlox hoodii, and Petradoria pumila.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This small-patch association occurs in isolated stands throughout the interior western U.S. Sites are generally located in gentle to moderately steep, dry, rocky habitats, where soils are patchy and shallow and fracturing allows Cercocarpus roots to penetrate the underlying bedrock. Elevations range from 1400 m (4600 feet) in Montana to over 2600 m (8530 feet) in western Colorado. The substrate is often limestone, less often quartzite or sandstone.
Geographic Range: This widespread but uncommon association is known from isolated sites in the Jarbidge and Ruby mountains of northeastern Nevada, the Bighorn and Pryor mountains of north-central Wyoming, southern Montana, northwestern Colorado and adjacent Utah, southern Idaho and eastern Oregon and California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683942
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4Q
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Nc Western North American Pinyon - Juniper Woodland & Scrub Division | D010 | 1.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nc.1 Singleleaf Pinyon - Utah Juniper - Western Juniper Intermountain Woodland Macrogroup | M896 | 1.B.2.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nc.1.d Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany Woodland & Scrub Group | G249 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Alliance | A0828 Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany Scrub Alliance | A0828 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Association | CEGL000967 Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Scrub | CEGL000967 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cercocarpus ledifolius / Agropyron spicatum Community (Jones 1992b)
= Cercocarpus ledifolius / Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Agropyron spicatum Plant Association (Baker and Kennedy 1985)
= Cercocarpus ledifolius / Pseudoroegneria spicata Scrub (Lewis 1975a)
= Cercocarpus ledifolius / Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Agropyron spicatum Plant Association (Baker and Kennedy 1985)
= Cercocarpus ledifolius / Pseudoroegneria spicata Scrub (Lewis 1975a)
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- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
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