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CEGL003183 Baccharis pilularis / Annual Grass-Herb Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: A widespread association of coastal California dominated by the shrub Baccharis pilularis, and a variety of non-native, largely annual grasses and herbs in the herbaceous layer. Generally found at elevations below 570 m.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Coyotebrush / Annual Grass-Herb Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This shrubland association of northern to southern coastal California occurs on gentle valley bottoms to steep slopes with flat to variable aspect at low elevations between 1 and 568 m. It is characterized by the dominance of Baccharis pilularis in the shrub layer and a variety of non-native, largely annual grasses and herbs in the herbaceous layer. The herbaceous understory can be dominated by annual exotic grasses such as Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum, Bromus hordeaceus, Bromus diandrus, and Avena barbata, along with annual herbs such as Raphanus sativus. Other native herbaceous species include Distichlis spicata, Juncus spp., Muhlenbergia rigens, and Corethrogyne filaginifolia. The emergent tree layer includes occasional ruderal trees such as Schinus molle, Eucalyptus spp., and Phoenix canariensis, as well as the native Quercus agrifolia. This association is indicative of a disturbed seral stage that typically comes following the reversion of cleared pastureland or non-native grassland back to shrubland. Baccharis pilularis behaves similarly in other areas of northern California where it often forms the first wave of woody species to recolonize cleared land.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

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

Floristics: Baccharis pilularis is the most common shrub with 55-70% cover. Other shrubs present include Artemisia dracunculus, Baccharis salicifolia, Eriogonum fasciculatum, and Rosa californica. The herbaceous understory can be dominated by annual exotic grasses such as Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum (= Lolium multiflorum), Bromus hordeaceus, Bromus diandrus, and Avena barbata, along with annual herbs such as Raphanus sativus. Other native herbaceous species include Distichlis spicata, Juncus spp., Muhlenbergia rigens, and Corethrogyne filaginifolia (= Lessingia filaginifolia). The emergent tree layer includes occasional ruderal trees such as Schinus molle, Eucalyptus spp., and Phoenix canariensis, as well as the native Quercus agrifolia.

Dynamics:  Baccharis pilularis frequently invades disturbed grasslands and can develop into stable coastal scrub communities (Heady et al. 1977).
Environmental Description:  This shrubland association occurs on gentle valley bottoms to steep slopes with flat to variable aspect at low elevations between 1 and 568 m.
Geographic Range: This association is well-known from the Santa Monica Mountains region. It has also been documented in Suisun Marsh (Keeler-Wolf and Vaghti 2000), Point Reyes (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2003), Coyote Hills of Santa Clara County (Evens and San 2004), San Dieguito, and Pinnacles National Monument, San Benito County. It is likely to be a common and widespread association from northern to southern coastal California.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.1 Mediterranean Scrub & Grassland Formation F038 2.B.1
Division 2.B.1.Na Californian Scrub & Grassland Division D327 2.B.1.Na
Macrogroup 2.B.1.Na.2 Coastal Sagebrush - Black Sage - Coyotebrush Coastal Scrub Macrogroup M044 2.B.1.Na.2
Group 2.B.1.Na.2.c Californian North Coastal & Mesic Scrub Group G662 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Alliance A0836 Coyotebrush Scrub Alliance A0836 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003183 Coyotebrush / Annual Grass-Herb Shrubland CEGL003183 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Baccharis pilularis / Bromus spp. (Evens and San 2004)
= Baccharis pilularis / Bromus spp. Association (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2003a)
= Baccharis pilularis - Annual Grassland Association (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2003a)
? Baccharis pilularis - Annual Grassland Association (preliminary) (Schirokauer et al. 2003) [pi code 24057]
= Baccharis pilularis / Annual Grass - Herb (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.060.20]
= Baccharis pilularis / Annual Grass - Herb Association (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Baccharis pilularis Alliance (Evens and San 2006) [One plot classified to Alliance level matches the association concept.]
= Baccharis pilularis Alliance (Borchert et al. 2004)
= Baccharis pilularis/Annual Grass-Herb Shrubland Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
= Baccharis pilularis/Herbaceous Association (Sproul et al. 2011)
= Baccharis / Annual Grasses (Keeler-Wolf and Vaghti 2000)
Concept Author(s): Sawyer et al. (2009)

Author of Description: T. Keeler-Wolf, G. Kittel and J. Evens

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-25-07
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