Print Report

CEGL001737 Eriogonum microthecum - Physaria oregona Dwarf-shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Slender Buckwheat - Oregon Twinpod Dwarf-shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This type sporadically occurs in the Snake River and Imnaha River canyons, on hydrothermally altered basalt outcrops. These are found in canyons at the intersection of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, although it appears to be very restricted in Idaho. The unique substrates are barren, being approximately 1 dm of pea gravels or sands covering basalt. They are always found on south-facing slopes, and are often quite steep, with a mean slope of 42%. Unlike most areas in Hells Canyon National Recreational Area, fires do not carry through these barren communities. The vegetation is sparse, with about 90% of the sites unvegetated (6% rock, 82% pavement, 5% bare ground, 3% moss or lichen, and 1% litter, mean cover). The dominant vegetation includes Physaria oregona, Eriogonum strictum, Eriogonum microthecum, Oenothera caespitosa, Pseudoroegneria spicata and Phacelia heterophylla. Introduced annual grasses (Bromus tectorum and Bromus briziformis) are present at most sites as well. Various other native forbs can often be found. The type is better distinguished by the harsh and unusual environment, than species composition. Physaria oregona and either Eriogonum strictum or Eriogonum microthecum are present, as is Oenothera caespitosa. This combination of species on a steep, south-facing barren is characteristic.

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: Minor community type found on a limited and unique substrate in the vicinity of the Snake River Canyon at the Idaho, Oregon, and Washington state boundaries. Primarily between Lower Granite Dam, Washington, and the Imnaha Canyon, Oregon

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  ID, OR, WA




Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G2

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Eriogonum microthecum - Physaria oregona Habitat Type (Daubenmire 1970)
= Eriogonum spp. / Physaria oregona Plant Association (Johnson and Simon 1985)
= Eriogonum spp. / Physaria oregona Plant Association (Johnson and Simon 1987)

Concept Author(s): J.S. Kagan and R.C. Crawford

Author of Description: J.S. Kagan and R.C. Crawford

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-26-97

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  • Daubenmire, R. F. 1970. Steppe vegetation of Washington. Washington State University Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin No. 62. 131 pp.
  • Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.
  • Johnson, C. G., and S. A. Simon. 1985. Plant associations of the Wallowa Valley Ranger District, Part II: Steppe. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 258 pp.
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  • ORNHP [Oregon Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data files. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, The Nature Conservancy, Portland, OR.
  • 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.