Print Report
CEGL004923 Helietta parvifolia - Acacia rigidula - Ebenopsis ebano - Leucophyllum frutescens Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Barreta - Blackbrush Acacia - Texas Ebony - Texas Barometerbush Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Barreta - Chaparro-Prieto - Ébano - Cenizo Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mostly evergreen shrubland or low forest association occurs on xeric caliche / calcareous sandstone slopes and bluffs in the upper (drier) portions of the lower Rio Grande valley, with most known occurrences on the Goliad Formation (Miocene) in southern Hidalgo, Starr, and possibly Zapata counties. It is characterized by the presence of Helietta parvifolia and Ebenopsis ebano in the broken low (less than 4 m tall) canopy, although for several years after hard freezes Helietta may be represented only by short stump sprouts. Shorter shrubs form a denser stratum 1-2 m tall, and generally no clear dominance is established by any of the dozens of species present. Wide-ranging generalists like Acacia berlandieri, Acacia rigidula, Guaiacum angustifolium, Leucophyllum frutescens, Parkinsonia texana, Salvia ballotiflora, and Forestiera angustifolia are often common, but more restricted subtropical components occur as well, including Mortonia greggii, Turnera diffusa var. aphrodisiaca, Gochnatia hypoleuca, and Malpighia glabra. The ground layer is sparse or essentially absent, except during short periods following significant rainfall events. This community occurs as well in nearby Tamaulipas and/or Nuevo Leon.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The G1 subshrub Manihot walkerae occurs in this community.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: It is characterized by the presence of Helietta parvifolia and Ebenopsis ebano (= Pithecellobium ebano) in the broken low (less than 4 m tall) canopy, although for several years after hard freezes Helietta may be represented only by short stump sprouts. Shorter shrubs form a denser stratum 1-2 m tall, and generally no clear dominance is established by any of the dozens of species present. Wide-ranging generalists like Acacia berlandieri, Acacia rigidula, Guaiacum angustifolium, Leucophyllum frutescens, Parkinsonia texana, Salvia ballotiflora, and Forestiera angustifolia are often common, but more restricted subtropical components occur as well, including Mortonia greggii, Turnera diffusa var. aphrodisiaca, Gochnatia hypoleuca, and Malpighia glabra. The ground layer is sparse or essentially absent, except during short periods following significant rainfall events.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This mostly evergreen shrubland or low forest association occurs on xeric caliche / calcareous sandstone slopes and bluffs in the upper (drier) portions of the lower Rio Grande valley, with most known occurrences on the Goliad Formation (Miocene) in southern Hidalgo, Starr, and possibly Zapata counties.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the upper (drier) portions of the lower Rio Grande valley, with most known occurrences on the Goliad Formation (Miocene) in southern Hidalgo, Starr, and possibly Zapata counties. This community occurs as well in nearby Tamaulipas and/or Nuevo Leon.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: MXNLE, MXTAM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684728
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.1 Honey Mesquite - Spiny Hackberry / Multi-flower Rhodesgrass Tamaulipan Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M130 | 3.A.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.1.a Honey Mesquite - Spiny Hackberry - Texas Barometerbush Thornscrub Group | G099 | 3.A.2.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A3191 Blackbrush Acacia - Texas Barometerbush - Guajillo Tamaulipan Calcareous Thornscrub Alliance | A3191 | 3.A.2.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL004923 Barreta - Blackbrush Acacia - Texas Ebony - Texas Barometerbush Shrubland | CEGL004923 | 3.A.2.Na.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Barettal (Clover 1937)
- Clover, E. U. 1937. Vegetational survey of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Madrono 4:41-55, 77-100.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.