Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This short-shrub association is characterized by a mixed, sparse to moderately dense canopy consisting of a combination of Poliomintha incana, Artemisia filifolia, and Vanclevea stylosa. One of these shrubs may be absent, but at a minimum either Poliomintha or Vanclevea is always present. Associated shrubs commonly include Atriplex canescens, Brickellia microphylla, Dalea flavescens, Ephedra cutleri, Ephedra viridis, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum leptocladon, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Psoralidium junceum, Quercus havardii var. tuckeri, Psorothamnus fremontii, Opuntia polyacantha, and Yucca harrimaniae. If Coleogyne ramosissima is present, it is with very low cover relative to the diagnostic species. The herbaceous layer is moderate to high in terms of species diversity and typically provides sparse to low cover, except in cases where the exotic annual forb Salsola tragus may have up to 15% cover. Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Muhlenbergia pungens, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus flexuosus, and Vulpia octoflora are the most consistent grasses other than the exotic annual Bromus tectorum. Forb composition varies greatly among stands, but species tend to be sand specialists such as Abronia fragrans, Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Astragalus mollissimus, Cryptantha crassisepala, Cryptantha flava, Chamaesyce parryi (= Euphorbia parryi), Hymenopappus filifolius, Ipomopsis gunnisonii, Oxytenia acerosa (= Iva acerosa), Mentzelia albicaulis, Oenothera pallida, Penstemon ambiguus, Plantago patagonica, Salsola tragus, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, Stephanomeria exigua, and Streptanthella longirostris. Cryptogams are absent from some stands but can provide up to 30% cover. Isolated Juniperus osteosperma occur in some stands where the sand is shallow over bedrock. Total vegetation cover ranges from 5 to 55%. This association often occurs as small patches in a matrix of other sand dune communities typical of the Colorado Plateau often dominated by Coleogyne ramosissima or Artemisia filifolia.

Dynamics:  Of all the associations on the Colorado Plateau associated with sand dunes, this association is generally on the most active sites, with blowing sand and little perennial ground cover between shrubs. As the dunes stabilize they are subject to invasion by blackbrush and/or sand sage.