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CEGL005118 Fouquieria splendens / Encelia (farinosa, resinifera) Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ocotillo / (Brittlebush, Sticky Brittlebush) Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This ocotillo shrubland association occurs in Arizona and Nevada and is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It primarily occurs on xeric sideslopes at 450 to 825 m (1475-2750 feet) elevation, but has been found as high as 1025 m (3375 feet). It is typically found on moderately sloping gradients (10-30°), across all aspects, but may also occur on gentler or steeper slopes. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty or sandy loams, and the underlying geology is usually limestone or occasionally shale. Vegetation is characterized by a tall-shrub layer of Fouquieria splendens and a short-shrub layer of Encelia farinosa. The short-shrub stratum also frequently supports Ephedra aspera and Ferocactus cylindraceus, and occasionally Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa and Krameria erecta. Opuntia basilaris regularly occurs in a sparse dwarf-shrub layer. Bromus rubens (exotic), Dasyochloa pulchella, and Vulpia octoflora commonly occur in the sparse graminoid understory. Forb composition varies among stands; however, Eriogonum inflatum, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Cryptantha spp., and Stylocline micropoides are among the most frequent forbs.
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: Vegetation is characterized by a tall-shrub layer of Fouquieria splendens and a short-shrub layer of Encelia farinosa. The short-shrub stratum also frequently supports Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata) and Ferocactus cylindraceus, and occasionally Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa (= Opuntia acanthocarpa) and Krameria erecta. Opuntia basilaris regularly occurs in a sparse dwarf-shrub layer. Bromus rubens (exotic), Dasyochloa pulchella, and Vulpia octoflora commonly occur in the sparse graminoid understory. Forb composition varies among stands; however, Eriogonum inflatum, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Cryptantha spp., and Stylocline micropoides are among the most frequent forbs.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This ocotillo shrubland primarily occurs on xeric sideslopes at 450 to 825 m (1475-2750 feet) elevation, but has been found as high as 1025 m (3375 feet). It is typically found on moderately sloping gradients (10-30°), across all aspects, but may also occur on gentler or steeper slopes. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty or sandy loams, and the underlying geology is usually limestone or occasionally shale.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association is currently known from Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona and Lake Mead National Recreation Area in southern Nevada. More survey work is needed to fully document its global range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.840577
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.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.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M088 | 3.A.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.b Creosotebush - Burrobush - Brittlebush Desert Scrub Group | G295 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Alliance | A3278 Creosotebush - Ocotillo Upper Bajada & Rock Outcrop Desert Scrub Alliance | A3278 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL005118 Ocotillo / (Brittlebush, Sticky Brittlebush) Shrubland | CEGL005118 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Fouquieria splendens / (Encelia farinosa, Encelia resinifera) Shrubland (Reid and Hall 2010)
= Fouquieria splendens / Encelia (farinosa, resinifera) Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Fouquieria splendens / Encelia (farinosa, resinifera) Association (Evens et al. 2014)
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.