Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Honey Mesquite - Texas Prickly-pear - Bushy Seaside-tansy Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This shrubland occurs on alkaline saline clay loams a few feet above the tidal flat, along the southern Gulf of Mexico of Texas and Tamaulipas. Due probably to the shallow depth to the saline water table, Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa is generally stunted, seldom exceeding 5 m in height, and rather scattered, seldom occupying more than 25% cover. Lower shrubs or suffrutescent perennials are more common, including Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri, Borrichia frutescens, Isocoma drummondii, Maytenus phyllanthoides, and Prosopis reptans; such cover is often nearly continuous. Important herb species include Monanthochloe littoralis, Bouteloua dactyloides, Setaria leucopila, Spartina spartinae, Billieturnera helleri, and Pappophorum vaginatum. Lenophyllum texanum, a Tamaulipan Thornscrub endemic, is sometimes found in this community. This community often intermingles with grasslands dominated by Spartina spartinae.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The relationship between this community, ~Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa - Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri - Borrichia frutescens Shrubland (CEGL007790)$$, and ~Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa / Spartina spartinae Shrubland (CEGL007761)$$ is unclear. A working hypothesis is that they separate out along salinity and hydrological gradients with the former community occurring in areas slightly lower on the landscape and possibly more saline. Perhaps these two communities belong together in an alliance (and group, macrogroup, etc.) that includes tidally influenced saline vegetation characterized by Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available