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CEGL002886 Eriogonum fasciculatum / Selaginella bigelovii Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eastern Mojave Buckwheat / Bushy Spikemoss Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This herbaceous association occurs on flat to moderately steep and very steep slopes of variable aspect at low to high elevations between 81 and 923 m. It is dominated by Selaginella bigelovii in the low layer. Eriogonum fasciculatum is characteristically abundant the shrub layer, and Quercus agrifolia, Schinus molle, and Eucalyptus spp. are infrequently found in the tree layer at low cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Selaginella alliances (A3961, A3469) are known from the U.S. National Vegetation Classification. However, none has yet been described from California. Selaginella hansenii occurs similarly on volcanic rocky substrates in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California (Klein et al. 2007), though typically with more characteristic presence and higher cover of native species, such as Vulpia microstachys, Plantago erecta, Lasthenia californica, Lessingia virgata, Lupinus bicolor, Lupinus nanus, Sedella pumila, Trifolium spp., and Triphysaria eriantha ssp. eriantha. These stands are placed into a herbaceous alliance with Vulpia microstachys.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands contain Selaginella bigelovii usually as the dominant at cover more than 10%. Other cryptogams may be present, such as mosses and lichens. The herbaceous layer is diverse and can include many native and non-native species, including Dudleya spp., Corethrogyne filaginifolia (= Lessingia filaginifolia), Phacelia spp., Bromus madritensis, Bromus rubens, and Avena spp. Low woody shrubs and subshrubs are present but lower in cover (usually well under 10%) than the average Selaginella cover, with Eriogonum fasciculatum characteristically common in the shrub layer at low cover. Other shrubs may include Hesperoyucca whipplei (= Yucca whipplei), Adenostoma fasciculatum, and Artemisia californica.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is characteristically found on exposed rock outcrops that are usually somewhat steep to steep slopes and rarely flat areas, typically on volcanic substrates, and also of igneous or sedimentary parent material. Stands occur in broad expanses on rocky substrates, along with stands of the Eriogonum fasciculatum and Adenostoma fasciculatum alliances.
Geographic Range: It is likely that this association and the Selaginella bigelovii alliance will prove to be fairly widespread in southern California along expansive rocky substrates, including on some of the offshore islands. For example, sampling in inland San Diego County found one stand on a south-facing granitoid rocky slope. Further anecdotal observation suggests that this association may occur in several places in coastal southern California such as the Santa Susana Mountains. It has been documented in the San Gabriel Mountains and in Pinnacles National Monument.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.788799
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Nb Western North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D052 | 6.B.1.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Nb.1 Douglas-fir - Ponderosa Pine / Moss Western North American Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M887 | 6.B.1.Nb.1 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Nb.1.a Sierra Lodgepole Pine / Bigpod Ceanothus - Smooth Mountain-mahogany Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group | G563 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.a |
| Alliance | A3785 Bushy Spikemoss Rock Alliance | A3785 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002886 Eastern Mojave Buckwheat / Bushy Spikemoss Sparse Vegetation | CEGL002886 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Selaginella bigelovii / Eriogonum fasciculatum (Sawyer et al. 2009) [42.062.01]
= Selaginella bigelovii/Eriogonum fasciculatum Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
= Selaginella bigelovii/Eriogonum fasciculatum Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
- Evens, J., and S. San. 2006. Vegetation alliances of the San Dieguito River Park region, San Diego County, California. Final report (August 2005) Version 2 (revised May 2006). Prepared by California Native Plant Society in cooperation with the California Natural Heritage Program of the California Department of Fish and Game and San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. Sacramento, CA. 271 pp.
- 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.
- 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.