Print Report
CEGL001171 Physocarpus malvaceus - Symphoricarpos albus Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mallow Ninebark - Common Snowberry Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is known from canyonlands of the northern Wallowa Mountains, Imnaha River, and Snake River within northeastern Oregon, southeastern Washington, and west-central Idaho. The association occurs on upper slope positions of steep, northeast- to northwest-facing canyon slopes at 1125 to 1375 m (3700-4500 feet) elevation. Deep soils on these relatively moist, shaded sites are formed from basalt colluvium. Physocarpus malvaceus is the dominant shrub species (mean cover exceeds 80%). Symphoricarpos albus is consistently present. Other associated shrub species include Amelanchier alnifolia, Prunus virginiana, and Philadelphus lewisii. Shrubs are so abundant that growth of understory forbs and graminoids is limited. This Physocarpus malvaceus association is distinguished from ~Pseudotsuga menziesii / Physocarpus malvaceus Forest (CEGL000447)$$ by the absence of trees. Periodic fire may serve to maintain this deciduous shrubland vegetation by controlling the establishment of trees.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stands classified as Physocarpus malvaceus - Symphoricarpos albus by Johnson and Simon (1987) were considered to have marginal potential for tree establishment. Other Physocarpus malvaceus-dominated communities are known to occur but are poorly documented within the Pacific Northwest region. Further development of the classification of these shrublands may modify the concept of this Physocarpus malvaceus shrubland.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Physocarpus malvaceus is the dominant shrub species (mean cover exceeds 80%). Symphoricarpos albus is consistently present. Other associated shrub species include Amelanchier alnifolia, Prunus virginiana, and Philadelphus lewisii. Shrubs are so abundant that growth of understory forbs and graminoids is limited.
Dynamics: Periodic fire may serve to maintain this deciduous shrubland vegetation by controlling the establishment of trees.
Environmental Description: The association occurs on upper slope positions of steep, northeast- to northwest-facing canyon slopes at 1125 to 1375 m (3700-4500 feet) elevation. Deep soils on these relatively moist, shaded sites are formed from basalt colluvium.
Geographic Range: The association occurs in the canyonlands of the northern Wallowa Mountains, Imnaha River, and Snake River within northeastern Oregon, southeastern Washington, and west-central Idaho. This is an area of approximately 900 square miles.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684316
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.2 Saskatoon Serviceberry / Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup | M048 | 2.B.2.Nf.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.2.b Saskatoon Serviceberry - Snowberry species - Smooth Sumac Central Rocky Mountain Shrubland Group | G272 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.b |
| Alliance | A3975 Mallow Ninebark - Common Snowberry Mesic Shrubland Alliance | A3975 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.b |
| Association | CEGL001171 Mallow Ninebark - Common Snowberry Shrubland | CEGL001171 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Physocarpus malvaceus - Symphoricarpos albus Plant Association (Johnson and Simon 1987)
- 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.
- Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.
- 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.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.