Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Southwest Fescue, Arizona Fescue, Alpine Fescue) Grassland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This grassland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It occurs in high-elevation meadows typically in flat, low-level valley bottoms, or in wide open drainage bottoms, at 2550 to 2750 m (8350-9050 feet). Soils are silt loams and vary from dry to moist. This association is a purely herbaceous vegetation type and lacks tree and shrub cover. Festuca sp. (Festuca calligera, Festuca arizonica, Festuca brachyphylla) is the dominant component of the graminoid layer. Muhlenbergia montana consistently occurs and is more abundant on drier sites, while Deschampsia cespitosa can occur on more mesic sites. The presence of Blepharoneuron tricholepis is characteristic of this association as well. Forb species typically account for 15-20% total cover, and almost 50 different species may be present. Potentilla hippiana, Achillea millefolium, Pseudocymopterus montanus, and Hymenoxys subintegra are the most common forbs, while Ranunculus cardiophyllus, Arenaria fendleri, Eriogonum racemosum, Antennaria rosulata, and Solidago nana are also fairly common. Graminoids are typically dominant in this plant association; however, the forb component can be very well-developed and codominant on some sites. This plant community supports a uniquely southwestern floristic assemblage, but also hosts many higher-elevation or higher-latitude species from the Rocky Mountain region.

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