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CEGL004615 Zanthoxylum fagara - Forestiera angustifolia - Diospyros texana Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lime Prickly-ash - Texas Swamp-privet - Texas Persimmon Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Colima - Panalero - Chapote Matorral
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This 1.5- to 4-m tall shrubland occurs on old beach and shell ridges along the Central Gulf Coast of Texas. It is dominated by a mixture of temperate and tropical shrubs (44 native species have been documented), but occurs in a temperate climate. While dominants vary between occurrences, Zanthoxylum fagara, Forestiera angustifolia, Amyris texana, Condalia hookeri, Diospyros texana, Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa, Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri, and Yucca treculeana are present at all known occurrences. While Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. albicans occurs as a dominant shrub and sometimes emergent small tree in more northern occurrences, it is absent from more southern occurrences, where Sideroxylon celastrinum occurs as a dominant shrub. In the single known occurrence where the two species occur together, Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. albicans occupies the upper shrub canopy while Sideroxylon celastrinum occupies the lower shrub layer. Other shrubs which may be variously present in the majority of known occurrences include Vachellia farnesiana, Baccharis halimifolia, Baccharis texana (in more southern occurrences), Celtis laevigata, Celtis ehrenbergiana, Erythrina herbacea, Ilex vomitoria, Iva frutescens, Lantana urticoides, Lycium berlandieri var. berlandieri (in more southern occurrences), Lycium carolinianum, Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (in more southern occurrences), Sabal minor, Solanum triquetrum, and Ziziphus obtusifolia. Less common shrubs and emergent trees include Acacia rigidula, Mahonia trifoliolata, Colubrina texensis, Cornus drummondii, Ehretia anacua, Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii, Schaefferia cuneifolia (in more southern occurrences), and Sophora secundiflora. Woody and herbaceous vines are a characteristic trait of this association, and may include Anredera vesicaria, Clematis drummondii, Cynanchum barbigerum, Cynanchum racemosum var. unifarium, Ibervillea lindheimeri, Merremia dissecta, Maurandella antirrhiniflora, Matelea reticulata, Melochia pyramidata, Passiflora foetida var. gossypiifolia, Rubus sp., Funastrum cynanchoides, Vitis mustangensis, Cissus trifoliata, and Smilax bona-nox. When present, Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. albicans, Celtis cf. laevigata var. reticulata, Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa, Ehretia anacua, and Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii occasionally emerge from the shrub layer to form a scattered overstory. Grasses and forbs which may be common in shaded areas include Elymus virginicus, Setaria leucopila, Rivina humilis, and Leersia monandra. More open areas have a more diverse ground layer, and data suggest that this herbaceous component is even more variable that the woody component. Some characteristic herbaceous species that may be present include Acleisanthes obtusa, Calylophus berlandieri, Calylophus serrulatus, Chamaesyce serpens, Thelesperma filifolium, Stenaria nigricans, Geranium texanum, Gaillardia pulchella, Gaura longiflora, Indigofera miniata, Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii, Rhynchosia americana, Eragrostis secundiflora, Chamaecrista fasciculata, Phacelia congesta, Phyllanthus polygonoides, Polanisia dodecandra, and Stachys drummondii. Many species found in this community are not known to occur outside of Texas, within the U.S.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Farther south along the coast this grades to ~Citharexylum berlandieri - Yucca treculeana - Ebenopsis ebano - Phaulothamnus spinescens Shrubland (CEGL002170)$$. Examples occur at Mad Island TNC Preserve (Matagorda County, Texas).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: While dominants vary between occurrences, Zanthoxylum fagara, Forestiera angustifolia, Amyris texana, Condalia hookeri, Diospyros texana, Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa, Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri, and Yucca treculeana are present at all known occurrences. While Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. albicans (= Bumelia lanuginosa var. albicans) occurs as a dominant shrub and sometimes emergent small tree in more northern occurrences, it is absent from more southern occurrences, where Sideroxylon celastrinum occurs as a dominant shrub. In the single known occurrence where the two species occur together, Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. albicans occupies the upper shrub canopy while Sideroxylon celastrinum occupies the lower shrub layer. Other shrubs which may be variously present in the majority of known occurrences include Vachellia farnesiana (= Acacia minuta), Baccharis halimifolia, Baccharis texana (in more southern occurrences), Celtis laevigata, Celtis ehrenbergiana (= Celtis pallida), Erythrina herbacea, Ilex vomitoria, Iva frutescens, Lantana urticoides (= Lantana horrida), Lycium berlandieri var. berlandieri (in more southern occurrences), Lycium carolinianum, Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (= Opuntia leptocaulis) (in more southern occurrences), Sabal minor, Solanum triquetrum, and Ziziphus obtusifolia. Less common shrubs and emergent trees include Acacia rigidula, Mahonia trifoliolata (= Berberis trifoliolata), Colubrina texensis, Cornus drummondii, Ehretia anacua, Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii, Schaefferia cuneifolia (in more southern occurrences), and Sophora secundiflora. Woody and herbaceous vines are a characteristic trait of this association, and may include Anredera vesicaria, Clematis drummondii, Cynanchum barbigerum, Cynanchum racemosum var. unifarium (= Cynanchum unifarium), Ibervillea lindheimeri, Merremia dissecta (= Ipomoea sinuata), Maurandella antirrhiniflora (= Maurandya antirrhiniflora), Matelea reticulata, Melochia pyramidata, Passiflora foetida var. gossypiifolia, Rubus sp., Funastrum cynanchoides (= Sarcostemma cynanchoides), Vitis mustangensis, Cissus trifoliata (= Cissus incisa), and Smilax bona-nox. When present, Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. albicans, Celtis cf. laevigata var. reticulata, Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa, Ehretia anacua, and Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii occasionally emerge from the shrub layer to form a scattered overstory. Grasses and forbs which may be common in shaded areas include Elymus virginicus, Setaria leucopila, Rivina humilis, and Leersia monandra. More open areas have a more diverse ground layer, and data suggest that this herbaceous component is even more variable that the woody component. Some characteristic herbaceous species that may be present include Acleisanthes obtusa, Calylophus berlandieri, Calylophus serrulatus, Chamaesyce serpens (= Euphorbia serpens), Thelesperma filifolium, Stenaria nigricans (= Hedyotis nigricans), Geranium texanum, Gaillardia pulchella, Gaura longiflora, Indigofera miniata, Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii, Rhynchosia americana, Eragrostis secundiflora, Chamaecrista fasciculata, Phacelia congesta, Phyllanthus polygonoides, Polanisia dodecandra, and Stachys drummondii. Many species found in this community are not known to occur outside of Texas, within the U.S.
Dynamics: These near-coastal shell ridges are only inundated by saltwater during extreme storm events. The highest (3-5 m) areas are probably never completely overwashed. These ridges are well-drained, extremely xeric and probably somewhat calcareous. The lower edges, where adjacent to salt marsh, are evidently somewhat saline as evidenced by the presence of halophytes in these areas.
Environmental Description: This 1.5- to 4-m tall shrubland occurs on old beach and shell ridges along the Central Gulf Coast of Texas. It is dominated by a mixture of temperate and tropical shrubs (44 native species have been documented), but occurs in a temperate climate.
Geographic Range: This association is known only from the central coast of Texas. It may possibly occur in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: MXTAM?, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687774
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.1 Honey Mesquite - Spiny Hackberry / Multi-flower Rhodesgrass Tamaulipan Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M130 | 3.A.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.1.a Honey Mesquite - Spiny Hackberry - Texas Barometerbush Thornscrub Group | G099 | 3.A.2.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A3169 Honey Mesquite Tamaulipan Mixed Deciduous Thornscrub Alliance | A3169 | 3.A.2.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL004615 Lime Prickly-ash - Texas Swamp-privet - Texas Persimmon Shrubland | CEGL004615 | 3.A.2.Na.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Chaparral Community (McAlister and McAlister 1995)
- McAlister, W. H., and M. K. McAlister. 1995. A naturalist''s guide: Aransas. University of Texas Press, Austin. 354 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.