Print Report

CEGL001407 Phyllodoce empetriformis / Vaccinium deliciosum Alpine Dwarf-shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pink Mountain-heath / Cascade Bilberry Alpine Dwarf-shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is the most common subalpine meadow type in the moist to wet climatic areas (areas not greatly affected by rainshadows). It is generally found on gentle to moderate slopes with well-drained soils, although it has been observed on steep slopes as well. The relatively dense dwarf-shrub vegetation is almost always codominated by Phyllodoce empetriformis and Vaccinium deliciosum. Cassiope mertensiana can be prominent but rarely codominates. Numerous other species can be present, although rarely in abundance. Luetkea pectinata, Polygonum bistortoides, and Carex spectabilis are most frequently present. This association occurs in the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The subalpine setting, greater abundance of Vaccinium deliciosum, and lack of alpine-associated species distinguishes this association from ~Cassiope mertensiana - Phyllodoce empetriformis Alpine Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL001398)$$. The two could be combined into a generalized heather type encompassing alpine and subalpine subassociations. This association may appear as sparse vegetation on steep, more rocky sites where Phyllodoce empetriformis and Cassiope mertensiana are the most abundant vascular plants.

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: No Data Available

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  BC?, WA


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class C04 4
Subclass 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass S12 4.B
Formation 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation F037 4.B.1
Division 4.B.1.Nb Western North American Alpine Tundra Division D043 4.B.1.Nb
Macrogroup 4.B.1.Nb.3 Vancouverian Alpine Tundra Macrogroup M101 4.B.1.Nb.3
Group 4.B.1.Nb.3.a Black Crowberry - Pink Mountain-heath - Western Moss-heather Alpine-Subalpine Dwarf-shrubland & Heath Group G317 4.B.1.Nb.3.a
Alliance A3331 Pink Mountain-heath - Western Moss-heather - Cascade Bilberry Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance A3331 4.B.1.Nb.3.a
Association CEGL001407 Pink Mountain-heath / Cascade Bilberry Alpine Dwarf-shrubland CEGL001407 4.B.1.Nb.3.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cassiope mertensiana-Phyllodoce empetriformis Community (Douglas 1972)
> Cassiope mertensiana/Phyllodoce empetriformis Association (Hamann 1972)
= Phyllodoce empetriformis-Vaccinium deliciosum-(Cassiope mertensiana) Subalpine Dwarf-shrubland (Crawford et al. 2009)
> Phyllodoce empetriformis/Cassiope mertensiana Association (Hamann 1972)
= Phyllodoce empetriformis/Vaccinium deliciosum Association (Henderson and Peter 1982)
= Phyllodoce/Vaccinium Community Type (Henderson 1974)
>< Vaccinium deliciosum Association (Hamann 1972)
= Heath-Shrub Type (Kuramoto and Bliss 1970)
Concept Author(s): Crawford et al. (2009)

Author of Description: Crawford et al. (2009)

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-07-16
  • Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
  • Crawford, R. C., C. B. Chappell, C. C. Thompson, and F. J. Rocchio. 2009. Vegetation classification of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic national parks. Plant association descriptions and identification keys: Appendices A-G. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCCN/NRTR--2009/D-586. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 586 pp.
  • Douglas, G. W. 1972. Subalpine plant communities of the western North Cascades, Washington. Arctic and Alpine Research 4:147-166.
  • Hamann, M. J. 1972. Vegetation of alpine and subalpine meadows of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Unpublished thesis, Washington State University, Pullman. 120 pp.
  • Henderson, J. A. 1973. Composition, distribution and succession of subalpine meadows in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Unpublished dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 150 pp.
  • Henderson, J. A. 1974. Composition, distribution, and succession of subalpine meadows in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
  • Henderson, J. A., and D. Peter. 1982. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the Snoqualmie and adjacent Skykomish River drainages, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 87 pp.
  • Kuramoto, R. T., and L. C. Bliss. 1970. Ecology of subalpine meadows in the Olympic Mountains, Washington. Ecological Monographs 40:317-347.
  • WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.