Print Report
CEGL005335 Fouquieria splendens - Prosopis velutina Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ocotillo - Velvet Mesquite Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland occurs in southern Arizona, typically on gentle to somewhat steep slopes of ridges, foothills and mountain canyons. Sites may occur on any aspect but are typically found on warmer southern and western aspects. Plot data from Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge indicate elevations of 1130-1250 m (3700-4100 feet) on well-drained sandy loam. Substrates are often rocky with 10-50% surface rock. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense (30-70% cover) tall-shrub canopy codominated by Fouquieria splendens (10% or more cover) and Prosopis velutina (10% or more cover). A low-shrub layer may be present (10-50% cover), but it is not dominated by Calliandra eriophylla. Other characteristic shrubs are Agave palmeri, Dasylirion wheeleri, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Ferocactus wislizeni, Jatropha macrorhiza, Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera, Mimosa dysocarpa, and Cylindropuntia versicolor. The herbaceous layer is open to moderately dense (10-30% cover) and dominated by mixed perennial graminoids. Characteristic species are Aristida ternipes, Bothriochloa barbinodis, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua curtipendula, and Setaria macrostachya. Other common species include Abutilon incanum, Evolvulus spp., Janusia gracilis, Krameria erecta, Mammillaria grahamii, and Phemeranthus aurantiacus. Eragrostis lehmanniana may be present but at less than 25% cover and less than a third of the total perennial graminoid cover.
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: The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense (30-70% cover) tall-shrub canopy codominated by Fouquieria splendens (10% or more cover) and Prosopis velutina (10% or more cover). A low-shrub layer may be present (10-50% cover), but it is not dominated by Calliandra eriophylla. Other characteristic shrubs are Agave palmeri, Dasylirion wheeleri, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Ferocactus wislizeni, Jatropha macrorhiza, Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera (= Mimosa biuncifera), Mimosa dysocarpa, and Cylindropuntia versicolor (= Opuntia versicolor). The herbaceous layer is open to moderately dense (10-30% cover) and dominated by mixed perennial graminoids. Characteristic species are Aristida ternipes, Bothriochloa barbinodis, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua curtipendula, and Setaria macrostachya. Other common species include Abutilon incanum, Evolvulus spp., Janusia gracilis, Krameria erecta, Mammillaria grahamii, and Phemeranthus aurantiacus (= Talinum aurantiacum). Eragrostis lehmanniana may be present but at less than 25% cover and less than a third of the total perennial graminoid cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubland occurs in southern Arizona, typically on gentle to somewhat steep slopes of ridges, foothills and mountain canyons. Sites may occur on any aspect but are typically found on warmer southern and western aspects. Plot data from Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge indicate elevations of 1130-1250 m (3700-4100 feet) on well-drained sandy loam. Substrates are often rocky with 10-50% surface rock.
Geographic Range: This desertscrub association occurs on foothills in southern Arizona and likely occurs in adjacent Sonora, Mexico.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: AZ, MXSON?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.806356
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.2 Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Mesquite species Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M086 | 3.A.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.2.a Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Viscid Acacia Chihuahuan Mixed Desert Scrub Group | G288 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A3167 Ocotillo - Fairy Duster - Mariola Desert Scrub Alliance | A3167 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL005335 Ocotillo - Velvet Mesquite Shrubland | CEGL005335 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Fouquieria splendens - Prosopis velutina Shrubland (Schulz 2004)
- Schulz, K. A. 2004. Vegetation classification of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. Unpublished report submitted to USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. NatureServe, Western Regional Office, Boulder, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.