Print Report

CEGL002875 Salix lasiolepis / Baccharis salicifolia Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: Salix lasiolepis codominates with Baccharis salicifolia in the shrub layer. It occurs on gentle- to high-gradient streams of the South Coast Ranges, including the Santa Monica Mountains, and is likely to occur elsewhere in central and southern California.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Arroyo Willow / Mule-fat Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This shrubland association occurs on gentle- to high-gradient streams at elevations between 259 and 1118 m (849-3667 feet), on alluvium and sand and sandy loam soils. Salix lasiolepis codominates with Baccharis salicifolia in the shrub layer. Quercus agrifolia is occasionally found at low cover in the overstory tree layer. Other shrubs present include Baccharis pilularis, Centaurea melitensis, Eriodictyon crassifolium, Ceanothus leucodermis, and Ricinus communis. The herbaceous layer is diverse and occasionally includes the forbs Artemisia douglasiana, Conium maculatum, Brassica nigra, Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus, Rumex salicifolius, and Urtica dioica, and the graminoids Arundo donax, Bromus diandrus, Bromus rubens, Piptatherum miliaceum, and Typha spp.

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: Stands have a sparse to intermittent tree layer, a sparse to open shrub layer and a sparse to open herbaceous layer. Salix lasiolepis codominates with Baccharis salicifolia. Quercus agrifolia is occasionally found at low cover in the overstory tree layer. Other shrubs present include Baccharis pilularis, Eriodictyon crassifolium, Ceanothus leucodermis, and Ricinus communis. The herbaceous layer is diverse and occasionally includes the forbs Artemisia douglasiana, Centaurea melitensis, Conium maculatum, Brassica nigra, Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus (= Lotus purshianus var. purshianus), and Rumex salicifolius, and the graminoids Arundo donax, Bromus diandrus, Bromus rubens (= Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens), Piptatherum miliaceum, and Typha spp.

Dynamics:  This riparian association is thought to withstand disturbance such as flooding, fire, and grazing. Baccharis salicifolia is considered a pioneer species (Bendix 1994).
Environmental Description:  This association occurs in riparian areas and sandy washes at low elevations from 259 to 1118 m (849-3667 feet), on gentle- to high-gradient streams, on alluvium and sand and sandy loam soils.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the South Coast Ranges, including the Santa Monica Mountains in Ventura and Los Angeles counties (Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area), San Dieguito River drainage in central San Diego County, the interior Central Coast Ranges (Pinnacles National Monument), and Los Padres National Forest. This association is likely to occur elsewhere in central and southern California.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nc Southwestern North American Warm Desert Freshwater Marsh & Bosque Division D032 2.C.4.Nc
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nc.1 Warm Desert Lowland Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M076 2.C.4.Nc.1
Group 2.C.4.Nc.1.b Honey Mesquite - Velvet Mesquite - False Willow species North American Warm Desert Riparian Low Bosque & Shrubland Group G533 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Alliance A3878 Arroyo Willow Warm Desert Wet Shrubland Alliance A3878 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Association CEGL002875 Arroyo Willow / Mule-fat Wet Shrubland CEGL002875 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Salix lasiolepis - Baccharis salicifolia Association (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Salix lasiolepis / Baccharis salicifolia (Sawyer et al. 2009) [61.201.06]
= Salix lasiolepis/Baccharis salicifolia Woodland/Forest Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
Concept Author(s): Keeler-Wolf and Evens (2006)

Author of Description: T. Keeler-Wolf, J. Evens, G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-25-07
  • Bendix, J. 1994. Among-site variation in riparian vegetation of the southern California Transverse Ranges. American Midland Naturalist 132(1):136-151.
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., and J. Evens. 2006. Vegetation classification of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and environs in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, California. A report submitted to National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch and The California Native Plant Society, Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
  • Kittel, G., E. Reyes, J. Evens, J. Buck, and D. Johnson. 2012a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Pinnacles National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/SFAN/NRR-2012/574. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 428 pp.
  • Rodriguez, D., K. G. Sikes, T. Keeler-Wolf, G. Kittel, J. Curtis, C. Curley, and J. Evens. 2017. Vegetation classification of Channel Islands National Park. Report to the National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • 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.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.