Print Report

CEGL000808 Pinus flexilis / Juniperus osteosperma Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Limber Pine / Utah Juniper Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This woodland association occurs in the Pryor Mountains of south-central Montana and may also occur in adjacent Wyoming. Stands are locally common on mid to upper slopes and benches between 1310-1615 m (4300-5300 feet) elevation. This type occurs on shallow soils, derived from calcareous sandstone with a pH >7.5. Ground cover is largely gravel and rock, often exceeding 70%, with over 10% cover of bare soil. The open overstory canopy includes a low cover of Pinus flexilis and Juniperus osteosperma. The undergrowth is characterized by a sparse short-shrub layer of Artemisia nova, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Petrophytum caespitosum; the perennial bunchgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata; and the cactus, Opuntia polyacantha.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is based on 10 plots from the Pryor Mountains described by DeVelice and Lesica (1993), and has not been found elsewhere. Survey of similar habitats in the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming may locate new stands.

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

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The open overstory canopy includes a low cover of Pinus flexilis and Juniperus osteosperma. The undergrowth is characterized by a sparse short-shrub layer of Artemisia nova, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Petrophytum caespitosum; the perennial bunchgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata; and the cactus Opuntia polyacantha.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  Stands are locally common on mid to upper slopes and benches between 1310-1615 m (4300-5300 feet) elevation. This type occurs on shallow soils, derived from calcareous sandstone with a pH >7.5. Ground cover is largely gravel and rock, often exceeding 70%, with over 10% cover of bare soil.

Geographic Range: This association in known from the Pryor Mountains in south-central Montana and likely occurs in the nearby Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  MT, WY?




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: = Pinus flexilis / Juniperus osteosperma Community Type (DeVelice and Lesica 1993)

Concept Author(s): R. DeVelice and P. Lesica (1993)

Author of Description: C. Jean

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-26-97

  • 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.
  • DeVelice, R. L., and P. Lesica. 1993. Plant community classification for vegetation on BLM lands, Pryor Mountains, Carbon County, Montana. Unpublished report by Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 78 pp.
  • MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
  • Stevens, J. E., D. S. Jones, and K. J. Benner. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR--2015/1070. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 350 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.