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CEGL002170 Citharexylum berlandieri - Yucca treculeana - Ebenopsis ebano - Phaulothamnus spinescens Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Berlandier''s Fiddlewood - Don Quixote''s Lace - Texas Ebony - Devil-queen Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Tamaulipan Maritime Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is a xeric, subtropical shrubland dominated by thorny evergreen shrubs, generally 2-4 m tall. It occurs in eastern Cameron County, Texas, on well-drained portions of clay dunes, called lomas. At the time of formation, lomas were located on the leeward side of irregularly flooded lagoons and tidal flats that when dry provided the source for the wind-blown clayey sediments. Some lomas may be flooded by the sea during severe storm events. Vegetation in this community is sometimes influenced by salt spray, high winds, limited rooting depth, saline water table, and extreme xeric conditions. Similar vegetation may occur in adjacent regions of Mexico. The surrounding tidal grassland is often dominated by Sporobolus wrightii and Spartina spartinae. Composition of this community is extremely variable, and there is usually no clear dominant, except locally. Local dominants include Citharexylum berlandieri, Leucophyllum frutescens, Havardia pallens, and Ebenopsis ebano. This association is broadly described to cover all of the highly variable thornscrub vegetation occurring on lomas in south Texas. Soils are typically Point Isabel clay loam. Other typical shrub species include Acacia schaffneri, Amyris madrensis, Baccharis texana, Borrichia frutescens, Sideroxylon celastrinum, Castela erecta, Celtis ehrenbergiana, Condalia hookeri var. hookeri, Croton humilis, Xylothamia palmeri, Forestiera angustifolia, Gymnosperma glutinosum, Jatropha dioica, Karwinskia humboldtiana, Lantana urticoides, Mammillaria heyderi, Maytenus phyllanthoides, Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri, Phaulothamnus spinescens, Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa, Prosopis reptans, Schaefferia cuneifolia, Sideroxylon celastrinum, Yucca treculeana, Zanthoxylum fagara, and Ziziphus obtusifolia var. obtusifolia. The understory is open and networked with cattle and deer trails. Many native grasses occur in this community, including Tridens albescens, Pappophorum vaginatum, Eragrostis spp., Bouteloua trifida, Digitaria californica, Sporobolus wrightii, Aristida purpurea, Setaria leucopila, Bouteloua dactyloides, and Aristida spp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The composition of clay dune communities varies greatly, and this variation has not been differentiated into separate types. At this time, this is the only thornscrub community described for lomas in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. Johnston (1952) collected vegetation data from xeric shrublands on various habitats in this area and concluded that no clear patterns of dominance could be correlated with different habitats; these shrublands all seem to intergrade. They occur over fine- and coarse-textured Holocene alluvium, fine- and coarse-textured Pleistocene-aged alluvium of the Beaumont Formation, and active clay dunes (lomas). Temperate shrubland vegetation occurring on shell ridges to the north, similar in structure and sharing some species with this community, is classified as ~Zanthoxylum fagara - Forestiera angustifolia - Diospyros texana Shrubland (CEGL004615)$$. It is also similar to ~Ebenopsis ebano - Phaulothamnus spinescens Scrub (CEGL002169)$$, which occurs on more mesic sites farther inland in areas without maritime influence and is defined to encompass "thornscrub" vegetation occurring on Holocene floodplain deposits of the Rio Grande. Shrublands (thornscrub) occurring on coarse- and fine-textured Beaumont Formation strata are characterized by emergent individuals of Prosopis glandulosa and are classified as ~Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa / (Celtis ehrenbergiana, Phaulothamnus spinescens, Ziziphus obtusifolia var. obtusifolia) Woodland (CEGL002132)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Composition of this community is highly variable. There is usually no clearly dominant species, except locally, Yucca treculeana is a constant and conspicuous emergent in many occurrences (Johnston 1952). Local dominants include Citharexylum berlandieri, Leucophyllum frutescens, Havardia pallens, and Ebenopsis ebano. Other typical shrub species include Acacia schaffneri, Amyris madrensis, Baccharis texana, Borrichia frutescens, Sideroxylon celastrinum, Castela erecta, Celtis ehrenbergiana (= Celtis pallida), Condalia hookeri var. hookeri, Croton humilis, Xylothamia palmeri (= Ericameria austrotexana), Forestiera angustifolia, Gymnosperma glutinosum, Jatropha dioica, Karwinskia humboldtiana, Lantana urticoides (= Lantana horrida), Mammillaria heyderi, Maytenus phyllanthoides, Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri, Phaulothamnus spinescens, Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa, Prosopis reptans, Schaefferia cuneifolia, Sideroxylon celastrinum (= Bumelia celastrina), Yucca treculeana, Zanthoxylum fagara, and Ziziphus obtusifolia var. obtusifolia. The understory (or short-shrub layer) is often open under the dense upper shrub canopy, and networked with cattle and deer trails.
The ground layer is sparse beneath the dense shrub layer, but openings, which may occupy as much as 50% of the area, are dominated by native and non-native grasses and forbs. Common ground cover components include Tridens albescens, Pappophorum vaginatum, Eragrostis spp., Bouteloua trifida, Digitaria californica, Setaria leucopila, Setaria texana, Bouteloua dactyloides (= Buchloe dactyloides), Sporobolus wrightii, Aristida spp., Clematis drummondii, Cynanchum maccartii, Tamaulipa azurea (= Eupatorium azureum), Malvastrum americanum, Solanum triquetrum, Oxalis dichondrifolia, and Acourtia runcinata. Invasives that are sometimes common in this community include Pennisetum ciliare (= var. ciliare) and Dichanthium annulatum. The base of lomas often support a grassland community dominated by Spartina spartinae (~Spartina spartinae Grassland (CEGL004608)$$), or Sporobolus wrightii (~Sporobolus wrightii Grassland (CEGL002232)$$), and below that, a band dominated by Spartina patens (~Maytenus phyllanthoides - Prosopis reptans / Spartina patens Grassland (CEGL007764)$$), or a tidal flat community dominated by Borrichia frutescens (~Borrichia frutescens / (Spartina patens, Juncus roemerianus) Saline Shrubland (CEGL003924)$$).
The ground layer is sparse beneath the dense shrub layer, but openings, which may occupy as much as 50% of the area, are dominated by native and non-native grasses and forbs. Common ground cover components include Tridens albescens, Pappophorum vaginatum, Eragrostis spp., Bouteloua trifida, Digitaria californica, Setaria leucopila, Setaria texana, Bouteloua dactyloides (= Buchloe dactyloides), Sporobolus wrightii, Aristida spp., Clematis drummondii, Cynanchum maccartii, Tamaulipa azurea (= Eupatorium azureum), Malvastrum americanum, Solanum triquetrum, Oxalis dichondrifolia, and Acourtia runcinata. Invasives that are sometimes common in this community include Pennisetum ciliare (= var. ciliare) and Dichanthium annulatum. The base of lomas often support a grassland community dominated by Spartina spartinae (~Spartina spartinae Grassland (CEGL004608)$$), or Sporobolus wrightii (~Sporobolus wrightii Grassland (CEGL002232)$$), and below that, a band dominated by Spartina patens (~Maytenus phyllanthoides - Prosopis reptans / Spartina patens Grassland (CEGL007764)$$), or a tidal flat community dominated by Borrichia frutescens (~Borrichia frutescens / (Spartina patens, Juncus roemerianus) Saline Shrubland (CEGL003924)$$).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community occurs on well-drained portions of clay dunes (lomas) rising above surrounding coastal tidal flats. At the time of formation, lomas were located on the leeward side of irregularly flooded lagoons and tidal flats that when dry provided the source for the wind-blown clayey sediments. Some lomas may be flooded by the sea during severe storm events. Vegetation in this community is sometimes influenced by salt spray, high winds, limited rooting depth, saline water table, and extreme xeric conditions. Soils are typically Point Isabel clay loam.
Geographic Range: This association is known only from the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Cameron County, Texas. Similar vegetation may also occur in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Vera Cruz.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: MXTAM?, MXVER?, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688590
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 | A3193 Texas Ebony - Devil-queen Thornscrub Alliance | A3193 | 3.A.2.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002170 Berlandier''s Fiddlewood - Don Quixote''s Lace - Texas Ebony - Devil-queen Shrubland | CEGL002170 | 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: < IC1w. Texas Ebony - Snake Eyes Shrubland (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Clover, E. U. 1937. Vegetational survey of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Madrono 4:41-55, 77-100.
- Correll, D. S., and M. C. Johnston. 1970. Manual of the vascular plants of Texas. Texas Research Foundation. Renner, TX. (Second printing, 1979. University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson) 1881 pp.
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- Diamond, D., B. Amos, T. Cook, R. Edwards, W. Elliot, R. Evans, and K. Kennedy. 1992. Endangered, threatened, and watchlist of natural communities of Texas. Texas Organization for Endangered Species. Austin, TX. 14 pp.
- Jahrsdoerfer, S. E., and D. M. Leslie. 1988. Tamaulipan brushland of the lower Rio Grande Valley of south Texas: Description, human impacts, and management options. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service. Biological Report 88(36). 63 pp.
- Johnston, M. C. 1952. Vegetation of eastern Cameron County, Texas. M.S. thesis, University of Texas, Austin. 127 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.