Physiognomy and Structure: Broadleaf deciduous shrubland.

Floristics: Stands have generally fairly open cover of Atriplex canescens or Ericameria nauseosa. Associated shrubs include Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex gardneri, Brickellia longifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Fraxinus anomala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lycium andersonii, Purshia stansburiana, Quercus havardii, Rhus trilobata, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Suaeda moquinii (= Suaeda torreyana). Herbaceous cover is sparse (<10% cover) with a variety of grasses and forbs such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Artemisia dracunculus, Descurainia pinnata, Elymus elymoides, Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Hesperostipa comata, Hordeum jubatum, Muhlenbergia porteri, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, Sporobolus contractus, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Stanleya pinnata, and Scabrethia scabra (= Wyethia scabra). Non-native annuals such as Bromus tectorum and Salsola tragus are sometimes present to abundant.

Dynamics:  This macrogroup experiences severe disturbance by flash floods. The vegetation is usually scattered, occurring in parts of the channel protected from the worst flooding, and shrubs have extensive root systems to allow them to resprout quickly when damaged or partially uprooted by flooding, as well as small roots to immediately take advantage of recent moisture.