Print Report
CEGL003934 Ephedra viridis / Bouteloua gracilis Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mormon-tea / Blue Grama Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is currently known only from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southeastern Utah. This descriptive information is from there, and it does not seem to be particularly common. Vegetation is characterized by relatively open shrublands dominated by Ephedra viridis (or Ephedra cutleri) with Gutierrezia sarothrae and Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea as the only consistently associated shrubs. The understory is dominated by Bouteloua gracilis. Other graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Vulpia octoflora, and exotic Bromus tectorum. Forbs commonly present with sparse cover include Eriogonum cernuum, Lupinus pusillus, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia. Stands are found on plateaus at elevations between 1767 and 1982 m. Soils are rapidly drained loamy sands or sandy loams derived from eolian deposits.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is characterized by relatively open shrublands dominated by Ephedra viridis (and/or Ephedra cutleri) with 4 to 15% cover; with Gutierrezia sarothrae and Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea) as the only consistently associated shrubs. The understory is dominated by Bouteloua gracilis. Other graminoids include low cover of Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia pungens, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus and Vulpia octoflora (= Festuca octoflora). Forbs commonly present with sparse cover include Abronia fragrans, Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum cernuum, Helianthus petiolaris, Lupinus pusillus, Sphaeralcea coccinea, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia. Scattered Pinus edulis and Juniperus osteosperma trees may be present with low cover on the margins of this community. Exotic species may be present especially Bromus tectorum and Salsola tragus.
Dynamics: Ephedra viridis is known to sprout vigorously from roots or woody root crowns or establish by seed following fire (Anderson 2001b). These fire adaptations may favor it over more fire-sensitive species such as Coleogyne ramosissima.
Environmental Description: This shrubland association occurs on the high mesatops, plains, and plateaus. Sites are flat to gently sloping, oriented to all aspects, and lie between 1767 and 1982 m elevation. Bare soil covers most of the unvegetated surface, with low to moderate cover of litter, and sparse cover of biological soils crusts (mostly mosses). Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained loamy sands or sandy loams derived from eolian deposits.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association is currently known only from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southeastern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.793506
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S11 | 3.B |
| Formation | 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F033 | 3.B.1 |
| Division | 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D040 | 3.B.1.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 3.B.1.Ne.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b Blackbrush - Cutler''s Joint-fir - Torrey''s Joint-fir Colorado Plateau Shrubland Group | G312 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Alliance | A3201 Mormon-tea Colorado Plateau Shrubland Alliance | A3201 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003934 Mormon-tea / Blue Grama Shrubland | CEGL003934 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ephedra viridis / Bouteloua gracilis Shrubland (Tendick et al. 2017)
- Anderson, M. D. 2001b. Ephedra viridis. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/] (accessed 15 October 2007 and 19 June 2011).
- Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.