Print Report
CEGL001401 Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Cushion Buckwheat Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: Cushion Buckwheat Cinder Garden
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has only been described from the northern edge of the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho. It occurs in a semi-arid region of relatively recent ''plains'' volcanic activity. This is a very sparsely vegetated, dwarf-shrubland association. Total cover of all plant layers is typically less than 5% in mid-summer, though cover may be higher in the spring due to the presence of annuals. The most important species is Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum, a cespitose, evergreen perennial, forming mats 3-4 dm across. This species rapidly develops a deep root system (up to 1.2 m deep), allowing it to colonize the light, porous cinders. Several perennial forbs are common into July, including Phacelia hastata, Cryptantha interrupta, Machaeranthera canescens, Chaenactis douglasii, Pleiacanthus spinosus, and Stephanomeria minor. The annuals Mimulus nanus and Mimulus suksdorfii are present during the spring and early summer before soil moisture is depleted, as are the perennials Allium simillimum and Lewisia rediviva. All major species of this association are found within the inner canopy of Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum. This is most likely due to higher accumulations of seeds and fine materials captured by the Eriogonum mats, and to relatively high moisture, total nitrogen and available phosphorus occurring under the canopy.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association may be better classified in a sparse vegetation alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a very sparsely vegetated, dwarf-shrubland association. Total cover of all plant layers is typically less than 5% in mid-summer, though cover may be higher in the spring due to the presence of annuals. The most important species is Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum, a cespitose, evergreen perennial, forming mats 3-4 dm across. This species rapidly develops a deep root system (up to 1.2 m deep), allowing it to colonize the light, porous cinders. Several perennial forbs are common into July, including Phacelia hastata, Cryptantha interrupta, Machaeranthera canescens, Chaenactis douglasii, Pleiacanthus spinosus (= Stephanomeria spinosa), and Stephanomeria minor (= Stephanomeria tenuifolia). The annuals Mimulus nanus and Mimulus suksdorfii are present during the spring and early summer before soil moisture is depleted, as are the perennials Allium simillimum and Lewisia rediviva. Seedlings of the coniferous tree Pinus flexilis are occasionally present, but apparently do not survive.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in a semi-arid region of relatively recent "plains" volcanic activity. The area has an average annual precipitation of 17 inches, with a peak in winter during which most precipitation falls as snow. A secondary peak occurs in May. Temperatures are typically hot in summer and cold in winter.
This association is a pioneer community on relatively young cinder cones and other cinder deposits. These cinder deposits are coarse, unweathered materials, varying from 1/4 inch up to 3 or 4 inches in diameter. Interstitial material is sand-sized. The cinders are light weight, porous and soft; yet there is little mass movement of the deposits. The cinders are extremely porous; water filters down through them very quickly, often to depths beyond the reach of plant roots. Another feature of the cinders is the rapidity with which temperatures change in relation to solar radiation intensities. Very high soil temperatures can be reached in these black deposits.
This association is a pioneer community on relatively young cinder cones and other cinder deposits. These cinder deposits are coarse, unweathered materials, varying from 1/4 inch up to 3 or 4 inches in diameter. Interstitial material is sand-sized. The cinders are light weight, porous and soft; yet there is little mass movement of the deposits. The cinders are extremely porous; water filters down through them very quickly, often to depths beyond the reach of plant roots. Another feature of the cinders is the rapidity with which temperatures change in relation to solar radiation intensities. Very high soil temperatures can be reached in these black deposits.
Geographic Range: Has only been described from the Craters of the Moon National Monument on the northern edge of the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho. May also occur in the same region of southern Idaho on cinder cones on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685916
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S11 | 3.B |
| Formation | 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F033 | 3.B.1 |
| Division | 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D040 | 3.B.1.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 3.B.1.Ne.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup | M118 | 3.B.1.Ne.6 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group | G570 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Alliance | A4053 Cushion Buckwheat - Apache Plume - Sand Bluestem Lava & Cinder Sparse Vegetation Alliance | A4053 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Association | CEGL001401 Cushion Buckwheat Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001401 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cushion Buckwheat Sparse Vegetation (Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum Sparse Vegetation) (Bell et al. 2009)
- Bell, J., D. Cogan, J. Erixson, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation inventory project report, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/UCBN/NRTR-2009/277. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 358 pp.
- 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.
- Day, T. A. 1985. Plant association and soil factors in primary succession on cinder cones in Idaho. Unpublished thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow. 62 pp.
- Day, T. A., and R. G. Wright. 1985. The vegetation types of Craters of the Moon National Monument. Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin No. 38. University of Idaho, Moscow. 6 pp.
- Eggler, W. A. 1941. Primary succession on volcanic deposits in southern Idaho. Ecological Monographs 11(3):278-298.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.