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CEGL001108 Prunus virginiana - (Prunus americana) Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chokecherry - (American Plum) Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This widespread small-patch shrubland is known from the Columbia Plateau of eastern Washington and eastern Oregon, throughout much of the Rocky Mountain and interior western U.S. It occurs in the foothills and lower slopes of mountain ranges, along higher creeks and upper alluvial terraces of perennial streams, and in draws and ravines of high plateaus. The elevational range is 680 to 2652 m (2234-8700 feet). This association grows at the interface between larger riparian areas and the adjacent upland and occurs as small dense thickets, narrow bands, or irregular patches. It often occupies draws, ephemeral creeks in steep narrow-bottomed canyons, and shallow ravines. It can occur on slopes below seeps and springs and on high slopes where snow collects. Shrub cover ranges from 100% to more open stands of 30%. Shrub cover is generally greater in drainage bottoms and on lowermost slopes, and less on upper slopes. Prunus virginiana is usually the dominant shrub species, however Prunus americana may be solely present. Stands can be dominated by one species but are often a mix of three to six other shrub species, which can be as abundant and even greater cover than Prunus virginiana. Other shrubs, in addition to Prunus americana, include Rhus trilobata, Ribes aureum, Ribes cereum, Ribes lacustre, Ribes inerme, Salix exigua, Sambucus spp., Amelanchier spp., Amorpha canescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Juniperus scopulorum, Rosa woodsii, and Toxicodendron rydbergii. In drainage bottoms, herbaceous cover is usually sparse, less than 10%. On slopes, the shrubs typically occur in some grassland type, and graminoid cover can be greater than 75%. Herbaceous species may include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum nelsonii, Carex vallicola, Erigeron flagellaris, Leymus cinereus, Geranium caespitosum var. caespitosum, Heracleum maximum, Juncus arcticus, Maianthemum stellatum, Muhlenbergia montana, and Potentilla hippiana. Exotic and/or invasive species Bromus inermis, Cirsium arvense, Poa pratensis, and Bromus tectorum are common on disturbed sites.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This is a widespread and highly variable, yet distinct, type. In semi-arid regions, it is restricted to mesic and wet areas that often occur as small patches or limited to streambanks. Kovalchik (1987) briefly describes a similar type called Mixed Shrub Canyon Bottom Association from 4 plots. It occurs in low-elevation canyons below U.S. Forest Service ownership in eastern Oregon. Tall shrubs include Prunus virginiana, Amelanchier alnifolia, Rosa woodsii, Cornus sericea, Salix spp., Prunus subcordata, and/or Alnus incana. This may be the same concept. This western U.S. association is closely related to ~Prunus virginiana Great Plains Shrubland (CEGL005453)$$, but co-associated shrubs appear distinct enough to warrant a separate association.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Shrub cover ranges from total coverage (>90%) to more open stands of 30% canopy cover, with the higher values tending to occur in sites located in drainage bottoms and on lowermost slopes, and the lower values on higher slopes. Prunus virginiana is usually the dominant shrub species however Prunus americana may be solely present. Stands can be dominated by one species but are often a mix of three to six other shrub species, which can be as abundant and even greater cover than Prunus virginiana. Other shrubs, in addition to Prunus americana, include Rhus trilobata, Ribes aureum, Ribes cereum, Ribes lacustre, Ribes inerme, Rosa spp., Salix exigua, Sambucus spp., Amelanchier spp., Amorpha canescens, Artemisia tridentata, Ericameria nauseosa, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Juniperus scopulorum, Rosa woodsii, Mahonia repens, and Toxicodendron spp. The tree Populus tremuloides may provide sparse cover. In drainage bottoms, herbaceous cover is usually sparse, less than 10%. On slopes, the shrubs typically occur in a matrix of other shrubland or grassland types, and graminoid cover can be greater than 75%. Herbaceous species are variable. Graminoids include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum nelsonii, Artemisia frigida, Bromus carinatus, Carex vallicola, Elymus lanceolatus, Elymus trachycaulus, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Leymus cinereus, Muhlenbergia montana, Pascopyrum smithii, and Poa fendleriana. Forb species are often diverse but are often relatively mesic. Common species include Achillea millefolium, Agastache urticifolia, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Delphinium nuttallianum, Erigeron flagellaris, Eriogonum umbellatum, Geranium caespitosum var. caespitosum, Geranium viscosissimum, Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), Heterotheca villosa, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Mertensia oblongifolia, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Potentilla hippiana, and Psoralidium lanceolatum. Exotic and/or invasive herbaceous species may be present, including Bromus inermis, Cirsium arvense, Poa pratensis, and Bromus tectorum, especially on disturbed sites.

Dynamics:  Some stands on slopes are the result of recent fire that killed the overlying canopy, converting ~Pinus ponderosa / Prunus virginiana Forest (CEGL000192)$$ to this Prunus virginiana shrubland type. In Nevada, this community is considered a "marginal" riparian type and represents succession away from riparian conditions (Manning and Padgett 1995). Both Prunus virginiana and Symphoricarpos occidentalis are tolerant of fire and will usually sprout after fires and grow into even denser stands. Dense stands of Prunus virginiana may preclude use by livestock, while open stands may provide adequate grazing opportunities. However, if grazed for the entire season, the strongly rhizomatous Rosa woodsii and non-native grasses may become established (Hansen et al. 1988b, Manning and Padgett 1995).
Environmental Description:  This widespread small-patch shrubland occurs in the foothills and lower slopes of mountains, along higher creeks and upper alluvial terraces of perennial streams, in moist soils that receive bedrock runoff in the Colorado Plateau, and in draws and ravines of plateaus and the Great Plains. The elevational range is 716 to 2846 m (2234-9330 feet), and slopes are gentle to steep (to 20°). This association often grows at the interface between larger riparian areas and the adjacent upland, as well as on higher ridges where snow collects, and occurs as small dense thickets, narrow bands or irregular patches. It often occupies draws, ephemeral creeks in steep narrow-bottomed canyons, and shallow ravines. It can occur on slopes below seeps and springs. Stands can also occur as small pockets on higher terraces or as narrow bands along the high-water mark of steep banks and incised channels. It also grows at the base of cliffs adjacent to rivers. Slope varies from flat to very steep, with variable aspects, and can be associated with rock outcrops and talus. Stands are typically on very well-drained, rocky soils but occasionally have finer soils. Soil texture ranges from sandy loam to clay loam.
Geographic Range: This widespread small-patch shrubland is known from the Columbia Plateau of eastern Washington and eastern Oregon, and the Rocky Mountains and interior western U.S.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4Q

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D031 2.C.4.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nb.5 Sitka Alder - Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Montane Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M893 2.C.4.Nb.5
Group 2.C.4.Nb.5.a Narrowleaf Willow - Hawthorn species - Stretchberry Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Riparian Shrubland Group G526 2.C.4.Nb.5.a
Alliance A3799 Skunkbush Sumac - River Hawthorn - Stretchberry Shrubland Alliance A3799 2.C.4.Nb.5.a
Association CEGL001108 Chokecherry - (American Plum) Wet Shrubland CEGL001108 2.C.4.Nb.5.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Padus virginiana - Symphoricarpos occidentalis / Elytrigia smithii Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Padus virginiana - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Elymus trachycaulus Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Prunus virginiana - (Prunus americana) Shrubland (Cooper et al. 2001)
= Prunus virginiana - (Prunus americana) Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a) [nearly equivalent: See also ~Prunus virginiana Great Plains Shrubland (CEGL005453)$$. Need to assess whether Carsey et al. described this in both the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains/western Colorado. It is described as a western type that occurs on eastern plains of Colorado, west to Nevada and Montana. The eastern plains part in Colorado will be part of CEGL005453.]
= Prunus virginiana - (Prunus americana) Shrubland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
> Prunus virginiana / Rosa woodsii Community Type (Manning and Padgett 1995)
= Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa Dominance Type (Evans 1989b)
= Prunus virginiana (Kittel et al. 1999b)
= Prunus virginiana Community (Copeland 1980a)
= Prunus virginiana Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
= Prunus virginiana Community Type (Hall and Hansen 1997)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen, G. Kittel, J. Coles, K.A. Schulz, K.S. King

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-22-13
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