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CEGL003113 Achnatherum speciosum Shrub Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Desert Needlegrass Shrub Grassland

Colloquial Name: Desert Needlegrass Shrub Grassland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association occurs in the valleys and lower slopes of the Mojave Desert. It is a shrubland with desert needlegrass as the dominant in the herb layer that often intergrades into creosotebush scrub. Stand composition varies. Achnatherum speciosum is the sole dominant or important grass in the ground layer. Other plants in the herb layer may include Nassella lepida, Achnatherum hymenoides, Nassella cernua, Poa secunda, and Elymus elymoides. Grasses are <1 m and cover is open. The shrub layer often contains Hymenoclea salsola.

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: No Data Available

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  No Data Available

Geographic Range: This association occurs in the valleys and lower slopes of the Mojave Desert.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA




Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G1Q

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Achnatherum speciosum (Sawyer et al. 2009) [41.090.01]
= Achnatherum speciosum Shrub Association (Evens et al. 2014)

Concept Author(s): M. Schindel

Author of Description: M. Schindel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 06-11-08

  • Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
  • Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
  • Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.