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CEGL005138 Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa - Fouquieria splendens Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Creosotebush - Brittlebush - Ocotillo Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This creosotebush shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It primarily occurs on xeric desert sideslopes at 475 to 575 m (1550-1900 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 645 m (2100 feet). It is typically found on low gradients (2-10°) and on south- or east-facing aspects, but is also common on steeper slopes (20-28°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained sandy loams or clays, and the bedrock is typically limestone. Vegetation is characterized by the codominance of three shrub species: the tall shrubs Larrea tridentata (3-5%) and Fouquieria splendens (3-5%), and the short shrub Encelia farinosa (5-10%). In the short-shrub layer, Encelia farinosa is invariably accompanied by Ephedra aspera. Krameria erecta, Ferocactus cylindraceus, and Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa also occur fairly frequently. A very weak dwarf-shrub layer exists in which Opuntia basilaris occurs occasionally. Vulpia octoflora and Dasyochloa pulchella are occasionally present in a meager graminoid layer. Plantago ovata, Phacelia sp., and Allionia incarnata sporadically occur in the fairly sparse forb layer.
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 the codominance of three shrub species: the tall shrubs Larrea tridentata (3-5%) and Fouquieria splendens (3-5%), and the short shrub Encelia farinosa (5-10%). In the short-shrub layer, Encelia farinosa is invariably accompanied by Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata). Krameria erecta, Ferocactus cylindraceus, and Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa (= Opuntia acanthocarpa) also occur fairly frequently. A very weak dwarf-shrub layer exists in which Opuntia basilaris occurs occasionally. Vulpia octoflora and Dasyochloa pulchella are occasionally present in a meager graminoid layer. Plantago ovata, Phacelia sp., and Allionia incarnata sporadically occur in the fairly sparse forb layer.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This creosotebush shrubland primarily occurs on xeric desert sideslopes at 475 to 575 m (1550-1900 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 645 m (2100 feet). It is typically found on low gradients (2-10°) and on south- or east-facing aspects, but is also common on steeper slopes (20-28°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained sandy loams or clays, and the bedrock is typically limestone.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association is currently known from Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. More survey work is needed to fully document its global range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.840595
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 | CEGL005138 Creosotebush - Brittlebush - Ocotillo Shrubland | CEGL005138 | 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: = Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa - Fouquieria splendens (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.027.04]
= Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa - Fouquieria splendens Association (Evens et al. 2012)
= Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa - Fouquieria splendens Shrubland (Reid and Hall 2010)
= Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa - Fouquieria splendens Association (Evens et al. 2012)
= Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa - Fouquieria splendens Shrubland (Reid and Hall 2010)
- Evens, J. M., D. Roach-McIntosh, and D. Stout. 2012. Vegetation descriptions for Joshua Tree National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI, National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. 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.
- 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.