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G510 Tamarix spp. - Elaeagnus angustifolia Ruderal Riparian Forest & Scrub Group

Type Concept Sentence: Stands of Tamarix spp., Elaeagnus angustifolia, or other introduced facultative wet-tolerant species in low-elevation riparian areas throughout the western U.S. and into Mexico.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tamarisk species - Russian-olive Ruderal Riparian Forest & Scrub Group

Colloquial Name: Interior West Ruderal Riparian Forest & Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This group consists of low-elevation riparian areas, seeps and springs throughout the southwestern U.S. and into Mexico that are dominated by non-native invasive woody species. Present to abundant species include Elaeagnus angustifolia, Myoporum laetum, Phoenix canariensis, Prunus mahaleb, Robinia pseudoacacia, Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, Tamarix spp., Ulmus pumila, or Washingtonia robusta. Salt-cedar habitats tend to support fewer species and individuals than native habitats. If present, native species contribute less than 10% relative cover. Elevation ranges from sea level to above 2135 m (7000 feet). Sites are typically streambanks and benches, floodplains and canyons with permanent, intermittent or temporary waterflow.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Tall, deciduous trees dominated by naturalized, invasive species not considered native to North America or, if native to North America, naturalized beyond their native ranges.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The name is "scrub" rather than forest or woodland to capture lower heights and more open canopy densities and the fact that some dominant species are multi-stemmed and may not meet "forest" or "woodland" criteria. Planted stands of Washingtonia robusta, Washingtonia filifera, and Phoenix canariensis are not part of this group but would be considered "cultural" vegetation. Washingtonia robusta is native to Mexico, so only naturalized stands within the U.S. belong to this group.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Open- to closed-canopy riparian woodlands that can have a scrubby appearance (multi-stemmed, 1-20 m tall) dominated by non-native woody species, generally following linear paths of adjacent streams, rivers and floodplains.

Floristics: Present to abundant species include Elaeagnus angustifolia, Myoporum laetum, Phoenix canariensis, Prunus mahaleb, Robinia pseudoacacia, Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, Tamarix spp., Ulmus pumila, or Washingtonia robusta. Some of these are not necessarily restricted to riparian/wetland settings. Salt-cedar habitats tend to support fewer species and individuals than native habitats (Smith and Douglas 1989, Barbour et al. 2007, Sogge et al. 2008, Sawyer et al. 2009). Non-native understory species may include Acroptilon repens, Aegilops sp., Agrostis gigantea, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Arundo donax, Conyza canadensis, Cirsium arvense, Echinochloa crus-galli, Eichhornia crassipes, Hordeum murinum, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Phragmites australis, Poa palustris, Poa pratensis, Rumex crispus, and Sonchus arvensis.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Elevation ranges from sea level to above 2135 m (7000 feet). Climate: Warm Temperate. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Sites are typically alluvial streambanks and floodplains, with slightly alkaline soils and water heavy in agricultural runoff (Smith and Douglas 1989, Barbour et al. 2007, Sogge et al. 2008, Sawyer et al. 2009).
Geographic Range: This group is found throughout the western interior of the U.S. and into Mexico.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, MXCHH, MXCOA, MXSON, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 1 Forest & Woodland Class C01 1
Subclass 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass S15 1.B
Formation 1.B.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation F026 1.B.3
Division 1.B.3.Nd Western North American Interior Flooded Forest Division D013 1.B.3.Nd
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Nd.90 Interior West Ruderal Flooded & Swamp Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M298 1.B.3.Nd.90
Group 1.B.3.Nd.90.a Tamarisk species - Russian-olive Ruderal Riparian Forest & Scrub Group G510 1.B.3.Nd.90.a
Alliance A0842 Tamarisk species Ruderal Riparian Scrub Alliance A0842 1.B.3.Nd.90.a
Alliance A3566 Russian-olive Ruderal Riparian Scrub Alliance A3566 1.B.3.Nd.90.a
Alliance A4155 Box-elder - Cottonwood species - Spruce species Ruderal Riparian Forest Alliance A4155 1.B.3.Nd.90.a
Alliance A4160 Himalayan Blackberry - Rattlebox - Edible Fig Ruderal Riparian Scrub Alliance A4160 1.B.3.Nd.90.a
Alliance A4161 Date Palm - California Fan Palm Ruderal Riparian Woodland Alliance A4161 1.B.3.Nd.90.a
Alliance A4192 White Willow - Crack Willow Ruderal Riparian Forest Alliance A4192 1.B.3.Nd.90.a
Alliance A4218 Mesquite species Lowland Ruderal Understory Wet Scrub Alliance A4218 1.B.3.Nd.90.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2011)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-11-15
  • Barbour, M. G., T. Keeler-Wolf, and A. A. Schoenherr, editors. 2007a. Terrestrial vegetation of California, third edition. University of California Press, Berkeley.
  • Brotherson, J. D., and D. Field. 1987. Tamarix: Impacts of a successful weed. Rangelands 9(3):110-112.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
  • 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.
  • Smith, S. D., and C. L. Douglas. 1989. The ecology of saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis) in Death Valley National Monument and Lake Mead National Recreation Area: An assessment of techniques and monitoring for saltcedar control in the park system. University of Nevada Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Report 041/03, Las Vegas. 63 pp.
  • Sogge, M. K., S. J. Sferra, and E. H. Paxton. 2008. Tamarix as habitat for birds: Implications for riparian restoration in the southwestern United States. Restoration Ecology 16(1):145-154.