Print Report
CEGL005870 Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Geranium viscosissimum Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue - Sticky Purple Geranium Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry-mesic, mid-height grassland is found in the northwestern Great Plains and mountain and foothill slopes on both sides of the Continental Divide of Montana. It occurs on mesic sites from 900-2100 m (3000-7000 feet) elevation on any aspect, becoming restricted to west- and southwest-facing slopes farther north. Slopes vary from flat to gentle toeslopes and lowslopes, generally less than 30%. Soils are loamy and moderately deep on a variety of soil parent materials. This midgrass community is dominated by Festuca campestris and Festuca idahoensis, but Festuca campestris generally has the greater canopy cover and can be more abundant on undisturbed sites. A diverse assemblage of herbaceous species, with a significant forb component, has a combined cover ranging from 30-85%. Carex obtusata may be common, especially on more mesic sites. Other graminoids may also be found, including Danthonia intermedia, Koeleria macrantha, Phleum pratense, Achnatherum nelsonii, and Achnatherum occidentale. The diagnostic forb for this association is Geranium viscosissimum, which is often in association with, in varying combinations, Potentilla gracilis, Potentilla glandulosa, and Carex petasata that individually or in the aggregate have >1% cover. Other forbs may include Achillea millefolium, Galium boreale, Selaginella densa, Lupinus sericeus, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Castilleja rhexiifolia, Calamagrostis rubescens, and Geum triflorum. Shrubs are typically present, though in low stature and cover, generally <10%. Shrub species that may be present include Artemisia frigida, Artemisia campestris, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Rosa arkansana, Amelanchier alnifolia, and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. This association is distinguished from the similar ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland (CEGL005875)$$ by the characterized presence of Geranium viscosissimum and Potentilla gracilis, with a greater abundance of Achnatherum occidentale and Pseudoroegneria spicata than generally present in the former.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Festuca scabrella (rough fescue) is now generally recognized as a complex, consisting of three separate species (Festuca campestris, Festuca altaica and Festuca hallii) (Aiken and Darbyshire 1990). Kartesz (1999) treats Festuca scabrella as Festuca altaica, and Festuca scabrella var. major as Festuca campestris. Of the species within the former Festuca scabrella complex, Festuca campestris is the one most likely to be found with Festuca idahoensis at the western edge of the Great Plains (Aiken et al. 1996, Kartesz 1999). Confirmation is required that Festuca campestris is the species of fescue that occurs in this vegetation type.
In Flora of the Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock et al. 1977a), Festuca scabrella Torr. in Hook includes Festuca scabrella var. major and Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella, basically combining both Festuca altaica and Festuca scabrella, if we follow Kartesz (1999). Lesica (2002) also equates Festuca campestris and Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella to Festuca scabrella. Kartesz (1999) equates Festuca scabrella var. major to Festuca campestris, and Festuca scabrella, Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella and Festuca altaica var. scabrella to Festuca altaica. This apparent confusion is cleared up in Festuca of North America by Aiken et al. (1996). Distribution maps clearly show that Festuca altaica occurs well north of the U.S.-Canada line, while Festuca campestris occurs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, south-central and eastern British Columbia, and in southern Alberta (there is no overlap between these two maps). In addition, none of the U.S. floras for this region (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973, Cronquist et al. 1977, Dorn 1984, Lesica 2002) list Festuca altaica. In conclusion, we can assume Mueggler and Stewart''s (1980) Festuca scabrella (from which this association was originally based) really equals Festuca scabrella var. major, and, therefore, we can follow Kartesz (1999) and call it Festuca campestris. Montana Heritage Ecologist Steve Cooper (pers. comm.) agrees with calling it Festuca campestris.
The dominance of Festuca campestris with a significant cover of Festuca idahoensis defines this type, along with a significant forb component indicative of relatively mesic situations. The absence or low cover of Danthonia parryi is also significant. Danthonia parryi is commonly a third codominant in the Alberta foothills, forming a Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi type, usually associated with deeper soils. Danthonia parryi has been noted as occasionally codominant with Festuca scabrella in northern Montana, east of the Continental Divide, but Mueggler and Stewart (1980) did not note enough other differences to define a separate type. Additional work is needed, but these likely should be considered two separate communities, given the extensive occurrence of the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi type in Alberta.
Mueggler and Stewart (1980) recognize two phases of the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis type. The Geranium viscosissimum phase is characterized by the presence of Geranium viscosissimum and Potentilla gracilis, with a greater abundance of Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis) and Pseudoroegneria spicata than generally present in the rest of the type. This phase is now recognized as this association, based on recent data (1999-2002) from Glacier National Park. The Achnatherum richardsonii (= Stipa richardsonii) phase is found on moist sites. It is similar to the Geranium viscosissimum phase, but with conspicuous cover of Achnatherum richardsonii and substantial Carex filifolia and Danthonia intermedia. This phase has also been elevated to an association, ~Festuca campestris - (Festuca idahoensis) - Achnatherum richardsonii Grassland (CEGL005869)$$, again from 1999-2002 data from Glacier National Park.
In Flora of the Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock et al. 1977a), Festuca scabrella Torr. in Hook includes Festuca scabrella var. major and Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella, basically combining both Festuca altaica and Festuca scabrella, if we follow Kartesz (1999). Lesica (2002) also equates Festuca campestris and Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella to Festuca scabrella. Kartesz (1999) equates Festuca scabrella var. major to Festuca campestris, and Festuca scabrella, Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella and Festuca altaica var. scabrella to Festuca altaica. This apparent confusion is cleared up in Festuca of North America by Aiken et al. (1996). Distribution maps clearly show that Festuca altaica occurs well north of the U.S.-Canada line, while Festuca campestris occurs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, south-central and eastern British Columbia, and in southern Alberta (there is no overlap between these two maps). In addition, none of the U.S. floras for this region (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973, Cronquist et al. 1977, Dorn 1984, Lesica 2002) list Festuca altaica. In conclusion, we can assume Mueggler and Stewart''s (1980) Festuca scabrella (from which this association was originally based) really equals Festuca scabrella var. major, and, therefore, we can follow Kartesz (1999) and call it Festuca campestris. Montana Heritage Ecologist Steve Cooper (pers. comm.) agrees with calling it Festuca campestris.
The dominance of Festuca campestris with a significant cover of Festuca idahoensis defines this type, along with a significant forb component indicative of relatively mesic situations. The absence or low cover of Danthonia parryi is also significant. Danthonia parryi is commonly a third codominant in the Alberta foothills, forming a Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi type, usually associated with deeper soils. Danthonia parryi has been noted as occasionally codominant with Festuca scabrella in northern Montana, east of the Continental Divide, but Mueggler and Stewart (1980) did not note enough other differences to define a separate type. Additional work is needed, but these likely should be considered two separate communities, given the extensive occurrence of the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi type in Alberta.
Mueggler and Stewart (1980) recognize two phases of the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis type. The Geranium viscosissimum phase is characterized by the presence of Geranium viscosissimum and Potentilla gracilis, with a greater abundance of Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis) and Pseudoroegneria spicata than generally present in the rest of the type. This phase is now recognized as this association, based on recent data (1999-2002) from Glacier National Park. The Achnatherum richardsonii (= Stipa richardsonii) phase is found on moist sites. It is similar to the Geranium viscosissimum phase, but with conspicuous cover of Achnatherum richardsonii and substantial Carex filifolia and Danthonia intermedia. This phase has also been elevated to an association, ~Festuca campestris - (Festuca idahoensis) - Achnatherum richardsonii Grassland (CEGL005869)$$, again from 1999-2002 data from Glacier National Park.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This midgrass community is dominated by Festuca campestris and Festuca idahoensis, but Festuca campestris generally has the greater canopy cover and can be more abundant on undisturbed sites. A diverse assemblage of herbaceous species has a combined cover ranging from 30-85%. Carex obtusata may be common, especially on more mesic sites. Other graminoids may also be found, including Danthonia intermedia, Koeleria macrantha, Phleum pratense, Achnatherum nelsonii, and Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis). The diagnostic forb for this association is Geranium viscosissimum, which is often in association with, in varying combinations, Potentilla gracilis, Potentilla glandulosa, and Carex petasata that individually or in the aggregate have >1% cover. Other forbs may include Achillea millefolium, Galium boreale, Selaginella densa, Lupinus sericeus, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Castilleja rhexiifolia, Calamagrostis rubescens, and Geum triflorum. Shrubs are typically present, though in low stature and cover, generally <10%. Shrub species that may be present include Artemisia frigida, Artemisia campestris, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Rosa arkansana, Amelanchier alnifolia, and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. This association is distinguished from the similar ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland (CEGL005875)$$ by the characterized presence of Geranium viscosissimum and Potentilla gracilis, with a greater abundance of Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis) and Pseudoroegneria spicata than generally present in the former.
Dynamics: Cattle grazing, light or heavy, will reduce Festuca campestris and may not affect or even increase the abundance of Festuca idahoensis. This past use and degree of use can make the identification of Festuca-dominated associations problematic.
Environmental Description: This dry-mesic, mid-height grassland is found in the northwestern Great Plains and mountain and foothill slopes on both sides of the Continental Divide. It occurs on mesic sites from 900-2100 m (3000-7000 feet) elevation on any aspect, becoming restricted to west- and southwest-facing slopes farther north. Slopes vary from flat to gentle toeslopes and lowslopes, generally less than 30%. Soils are loamy and moderately deep on a variety of soil parent materials.
Geographic Range: This association is documented in Montana, and may occur in Oregon and Washington which have the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis type, but it is unknown if those occurrences have the Geranium viscosissimum forb indicator.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, MT, OR?, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730746
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
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.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.2 Saskatoon Serviceberry / Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup | M048 | 2.B.2.Nf.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Central Rocky Mountain Foothill Grassland Group | G273 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Alliance | A3986 Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue Mesic Grassland Alliance | A3986 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Association | CEGL005870 Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue - Sticky Purple Geranium Grassland | CEGL005870 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
Concept Lineage: This type was split into 3 new types.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Geranium viscosissimum Herbaceous Vegetation (Hop et al. 2007)
= Festuca scabrella / Festuca idahoensis habitat type, Geranium viscosissimum Phase (Mueggler and Stewart 1980) [(p.28) Elevated to association level based on data from Glacier National Park 1999-2002.]
= Festuca scabrella / Festuca idahoensis habitat type, Geranium viscosissimum Phase (Mueggler and Stewart 1980) [(p.28) Elevated to association level based on data from Glacier National Park 1999-2002.]
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- Aiken, S. G., M. J. Dallwitz, C. L. McJannet, and L. L. Consaul. 1996 et seq. Festuca of North America: Descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. Version: 2 April 1998. [http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/]
- Aiken, S. G., and S. J. Darbyshire. 1990. Fescue grasses of Canada. Agriculture Canada Publication 1844/E.
- Cooper, Steve. Personal communication. Ecologist, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT.
- Cronquist, A., A. H. Holmgren, N. H. Holmgren, J. L. Reveal, and P. K. Holmgren. 1977. Intermountain flora: Vascular plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Volume 6: The Monocotyledons. Columbia University Press, New York. 584 pp.
- Dorn, R. D. 1984. Vascular plants of Montana. Mountain West Publishing, Cheyenne, WY. 276 pp.
- Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1977a. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 1: Vascular Cryptogams, Gymnosperms, and Monocotyledons. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 914 pp.
- Hitchcock, L. C. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 730 pp.
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- Kartesz, J. T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: J. T. Kartesz and C. A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, NC.
- Lesica, P. 2002. A flora of Glacier National Park, Montana. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis. 512 pp.
- Mueggler, W. F., and W. L. Stewart. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of western Montana. General Technical Report INT-66. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 154 pp.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.