Print Report

CEGL003064 Nolina bigelovii Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bigelow''s Bear-grass Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This shrubland forms local, scattered stands in the mountains and deserts of southern California and the Mojave and Lower Sonoran deserts. Stands likely also occur in Arizona and Nevada. Elevations range from 250-2250 m, and sites typically occur on steep slopes with abundant rock outcrop. Substrates are rocky, poorly developed soils derived from granitic rocks or are of calcareous origin. Rocky substrates allow water to run off rock faces and concentrate in the crevices. This shrubland is characterized by the subshrub Nolina bigelovii, forming an open, emergent canopy over a low (<1 m tall) shrub layer that is composed of succulents and microphyllous evergreen and deciduous species. Common species may include Ferocactus cylindraceus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Encelia farinosa, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Acacia greggii, Agave deserti, Hyptis emoryi, Ericameria linearifolia, Simmondsia chinensis, and Ambrosia dumosa. Emergent individuals of Juniperus californica or Fouquieria splendens up to 5 m in height, may also be present. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse and composed primarily of perennials, both forbs and grasses.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Survey and classification work is needed to develop associations for this alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: No Data Available

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  No Data Available

Geographic Range: This alliance includes stands from southeastern California in the montane and foothills zones of the Transverse, southern Sierra Nevada, and Peninsular Ranges. Stands may also found in the Mojave and Lower Sonoran Desert regions of California. This alliance may extend into Arizona and Nevada, but has not been documented from either state.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, NV?




Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G3?

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: < Nolina (bigelovii, parryi) (Nolina scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.080.00]
< Nolina (bigelovii, parryi) Shrubland Alliance (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
= Nolina bigelovii (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.080.02]
= Nolina bigelovii Shrubland (Keeler-Wolf et al. 1998a)
= Nolina bigelovii Shrubland (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
< Mojave Mixed Woody Scrub (#34210) (Holland 1986b)
< Sonoran Nolina Scrub (Spolsky 1979)

Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 06-11-08

  • Hickman, J. C. 1993. The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California. University of California Press, Ltd., Berkeley, CA. 1400 pp.
  • Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., C. Roye, and K. Lewis. 1998a. Vegetation mapping and classification of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California. Unpublished report on file at California Natural Diversity Database, California Department Fish and Game, Sacramento.
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., and K. Thomas. 2000. Draft descriptions of vegetation alliances for the Mojave Ecosystem Mapping project. California Natural Diversity Database, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
  • Reid, M. S., L. S. Engelking, and P. S. Bourgeron. 1994. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, Western Region. Pages 305-620 in: D. H. Grossman, K. L. Goodin, and C. L. Reuss, editors. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, an initial survey. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
  • Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
  • Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
  • Spolsky, A. M. 1979. An overview of the plant communities of Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Unpublished report. State of California, The Resource Agency, Department of Parks and Recreation , Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, CA.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.