Print Report
M088 Carnegiea gigantea - Stenocereus thurberi - Ambrosia dumosa Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup
Type Concept Sentence: This warm temperate to subtropical, semi-desert scrub macrogroup occurs in the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Sonora and central to northern Baja California, Mexico, and is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense layer (1-50% cover) of xeromorphic, evergreen and drought-deciduous, microphyllous and broad-leaved shrubs and/or succulent species, especially cacti and rosette stem succulents and sarcocaulescent trees and shrubs. Larrea tridentata is often present to dominant with Ambrosia dumosa and many Sonoran or Mojave desert diagnostic species.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup
Colloquial Name: Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Macrogroup
Type Concept: This broad macrogroup encompasses warm temperate to subtropical semi-desert climates of the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Sonora and central to northern Baja California, Mexico. The vegetation is diverse and is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense layer (1-50% cover) of xeromorphic, evergreen or drought-deciduous, microphyllous or broad-leaved shrubs and/or succulent species, especially cacti, rosette stem succulents such as agaves, and sarcocaulescent trees and shrubs. Larrea tridentata is often present to dominant with Ambrosia dumosa throughout much of the range of this macrogroup, and occurs on finer-textured mid to lower bajadas. On upper bajadas with coarser soils, where more moisture is available, these shrubs are mixed with increasing higher diversity of cacti and other shrubs. In areas of limited moisture, the mixed shrubs can be seen following washes or shallow braided channels across alluvial fans. Species composition changes across this vast desert area. Ambrosia dumosa, Ephedra aspera, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Yucca brevifolia, or Yucca schidigera are diagnostic in the northern most portion known as the Mojave Desert. The Arizona Upland portion of the Sonoran Desert is characterized by Carnegiea gigantea with shrub layers dominated by Parkinsonia microphylla or Larrea tridentata. Fouquieria splendens, Olneya tesota, and many cacti species are often present. The subtropical central Gulf of California coast and adjacent portions of the lower Colorado River valley region are characterized by Bursera microphylla, Jatropha cuneata, Pachycereus spp., and Stenocereus thurberi. In coastal Baja and adjacent southern California, Agave shawii, Bergerocactus emoryi, Euphorbia misera, Ferocactus viridescens, Lycium californicum, Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri, Opuntia littoralis, Cylindropuntia prolifera, and Yucca schidigera are diagnostic and often dominant species.
In addition, this macrogroup includes areas of sparsely to moderately vegetated warm semi-desert dunes, sandsheets, and sandy plains characterized by Abronia villosa, Croton wigginsii, Dicoria canescens, Eriogonum deserticola, Helianthus niveus, Oenothera deltoides, Palafoxia spp., and Panicum urvilleanum often with Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, and Pleuraphis rigida. Numerous other species may be present in this diverse macrogroup. In the Arizona Upland of the Sonoran Desert, stands occur on the lower slopes of mountains, foothills, hillsides, mesas, and upper bajadas. Stands form the vegetation matrix in broad valleys, lower bajadas, plains and low hills in the Mojave, Sonoran and Lower Colorado deserts. Stands also occur in coastal plains found on both sides of the Gulf of California and along the central Baja California coast, with a depauperate extension north along immediate coastal bluffs and xeric slopes intermittently to southern California, including the more southerly Channel Islands (San Clemente, Catalina, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa). Elevation ranges from -75 to 1800 m. Climate is semi-arid to arid and season of precipitation varies regionally. The annual precipitation in the Sonoran Desert has a bimodal distribution with about half of the rain falling during July to September and a third falling from December to March. Farther west, the proportion of summer precipitation decreases until precipitation has a markedly unimodal distribution with most precipitation falling in the winter months associated with winter storm tracks reaching the desert from the Pacific Ocean in the Mojave Desert. In contrast, in central Baja California, climate is extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon). Precipitation is augmented by summer fog drip near the coast. Inland Sonoran stands are also extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon). Extended drought is common which favors plants with water storage. Substrates are variable, but typically shallow, well-drained, rocky or gravelly coarse-textured soils derived from colluvium or alluvium, except for the sand deposit sites included in the macrogroup. Parent material is usually gravelly alluvium and colluvium, derived from basalt and other igneous or metamorphic rocks.
In addition, this macrogroup includes areas of sparsely to moderately vegetated warm semi-desert dunes, sandsheets, and sandy plains characterized by Abronia villosa, Croton wigginsii, Dicoria canescens, Eriogonum deserticola, Helianthus niveus, Oenothera deltoides, Palafoxia spp., and Panicum urvilleanum often with Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, and Pleuraphis rigida. Numerous other species may be present in this diverse macrogroup. In the Arizona Upland of the Sonoran Desert, stands occur on the lower slopes of mountains, foothills, hillsides, mesas, and upper bajadas. Stands form the vegetation matrix in broad valleys, lower bajadas, plains and low hills in the Mojave, Sonoran and Lower Colorado deserts. Stands also occur in coastal plains found on both sides of the Gulf of California and along the central Baja California coast, with a depauperate extension north along immediate coastal bluffs and xeric slopes intermittently to southern California, including the more southerly Channel Islands (San Clemente, Catalina, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa). Elevation ranges from -75 to 1800 m. Climate is semi-arid to arid and season of precipitation varies regionally. The annual precipitation in the Sonoran Desert has a bimodal distribution with about half of the rain falling during July to September and a third falling from December to March. Farther west, the proportion of summer precipitation decreases until precipitation has a markedly unimodal distribution with most precipitation falling in the winter months associated with winter storm tracks reaching the desert from the Pacific Ocean in the Mojave Desert. In contrast, in central Baja California, climate is extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon). Precipitation is augmented by summer fog drip near the coast. Inland Sonoran stands are also extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon). Extended drought is common which favors plants with water storage. Substrates are variable, but typically shallow, well-drained, rocky or gravelly coarse-textured soils derived from colluvium or alluvium, except for the sand deposit sites included in the macrogroup. Parent material is usually gravelly alluvium and colluvium, derived from basalt and other igneous or metamorphic rocks.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This matrix warm to subtropical, semi-desert macrogroup is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense layer (1-50% cover) of xeromorphic, evergreen and drought-deciduous, microphyllous and broad-leaved shrubs and/or succulent species, especially cacti and stem succulents. Widespread diagnostic species Larrea tridentata differentiates this macrogroup from cool desertscrub. It is separated from the Chihuahuan Desert macrogroup by the lack of characteristic Chihuahuan species such as Flourensia cernua, and the presence of Sonoran Desert and Baja Norte species of Bursera, Carnegiea, Jatropha, Olneya, Pachycereus, Parkinsonia, Simmondsia, and Stenocereus or Mojave species such as Ambrosia dumosa, Ephedra aspera, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Yucca brevifolia, or Yucca schidigera. In addition, this macrogroup includes areas of sparsely to moderately vegetated warm semi-desert dunes, sandsheets, and sandy plains characterized by Abronia villosa, Croton wigginsii, Dicoria canescens, Eriogonum deserticola, Helianthus niveus, Panicum urvilleanum, Pleuraphis rigida, and many other native forbs. It also includes sparsely vegetated desert pavements and rock outcrops with variable cover of plants, including Atriplex hymenelytra, Peucephyllum schottii, Camissonia spp., Chorizanthe spp., and Geraea canescens.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This macrogroup includes ~Mojave-Sonoran Bajada & Valley Desert Scrub Group (G295)$$. The associations in this group need review as some are more appropriate in a cool temperate macrogroup. In fact, ~Mojave Mid-Elevation Mixed Desert Scrub Group (G296)$$ may not be a great fit in this macrogroup, as alliances in G296 are found in cooler/higher elevations, similar to other alliances found in ~Great Basin-Intermountain Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup (M171)$$. Perhaps a "transitional" mid-elevation scrub grouping is needed, occurring at higher elevations and crossing from Sonoran to Mojave and Great Basin, and which can include Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra viridis, Ephedra nevadensis, Ephedra torreyana, Purshia stansburiana, etc. As currently defined G296 is significantly rich with taxa not described in this macrogroup description and highly related to ~Colorado Plateau Blackbrush - Mormon-tea Shrubland Group (G312)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This macrogroup is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense layer (1-50% cover) of xeromorphic, evergreen and drought-deciduous, microphyllous, and broad-leaved shrubs and/or succulent and semi-succulent species, especially cacti and rosette stem succulents and sarcocaulescent trees and shrubs. Sonoran stands are dominated by columnar cacti with xeromorphic tree and shrub layers. Baja Norte stands are often dominated by semi-succulent sarcocaulescent trees and shrubs with swollen stems. The sandsheet stands are characterized by sparse shrubs or herbaceous species.
Floristics: This matrix warm temperate to subtropical semi-desert macrogroup is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense layer (1-50% cover) of xeromorphic, evergreen and drought-deciduous, microphyllous and broad-leaved shrubs and/or succulent species, especially cacti and rosette stem succulents and sarcocaulescent trees and shrubs. Larrea tridentata is often present to dominant in much of the vegetation of this macrogroup, especially the drier interfluves and lower bajadas with the larger woody cacti and microphylls limited to desert areas of more effective precipitation from runoff (washes or shallow braided channels across alluvial fans) and in areas with coarser-textured soil such as upper bajadas. Ambrosia dumosa, Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata), Eriogonum fasciculatum, Yucca brevifolia, or Yucca schidigera are diagnostic in the Mojave Desert. The Arizona Upland portion of the Sonoran Desert is characterized by Carnegiea gigantea (3-16 m tall) with sparse to moderately dense, xeromorphic, deciduous and evergreen shrub layers dominated by Parkinsonia microphylla or Larrea tridentata. Often Fouquieria splendens and Olneya tesota are present, although usually less prominently. There are typically many cacti present, including species of Coryphantha, Echinocereus, Ferocactus, Mammillaria, and Opuntia (both cholla and prickly-pear). The subtropical central Gulf of California coast and adjacent portions of the lower Colorado River valley region of the Sonoran Desert are characterized by Bursera microphylla, Jatropha cuneata, Pachycereus schottii, Pachycereus pringlei, Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum, and Stenocereus thurberi, and in Baja Norte, Agave shawii, Bergerocactus emoryi, Euphorbia misera, Ferocactus viridescens, Lycium californicum, Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri (= Opuntia parryi), Opuntia littoralis, Cylindropuntia prolifera (= Opuntia prolifera), and Yucca schidigera are diagnostic and often dominant species. In addition, this macrogroup includes areas of sparsely to moderately vegetated warm semi-desert dunes, sandsheets, and sandy plains characterized by Abronia villosa, Croton wigginsii, Dicoria canescens, Eriogonum deserticola, Helianthus niveus, Panicum urvilleanum, Petalonyx thurberi, and Penstemon thurberi often with Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, Muhlenbergia porteri, and Pleuraphis rigida. It also includes sparsely vegetated desert pavements and rock outcrops with variable cover of plants including Atriplex hymenelytra, Peucephyllum schottii, Camissonia spp., Chorizanthe spp., and Geraea canescens. Numerous other species may be present in the diverse macrogroup. Floristic information was compiled from Shreve and Wiggins (1964), Felger (1980), Bowers (1982, 1984), Brown (1982a), Turner and Brown (1982), Barbour and Major (1988), MacMahon (1988), Peinado et al. (1994), Holland and Keil (1995), Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995), and Sawyer et al. (2009).
Dynamics: This macrogroup occurs in warm to subtropical semi-arid regions. Most characteristic species are frost-sensitive as only vegetation in the Mojave Desert or at high elevation or in the northern extent of the Sonoran Desert experience frost or extended freezing temperatures.
Environmental Description: This warm-temperate to subtropical, semi-desert macrogroup occurs in the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Sonora and Baja California, Mexico. It forms the vegetation matrix in broad valleys, lower bajadas, plains and low hills in the Mojave, western Sonoran and Lower Colorado deserts. Elevation ranges from -75 to 1200 m. Sites are gentle to moderately sloping. Substrates are typically well-drained, sandy soils derived from colluvium or alluvium, and are often calcareous with a caliche hardpan and/or a pavement surface. Precipitation is markedly unimodal with most falling in the winter months associated with winter storm tracks reaching the desert from the Pacific Ocean. Stands extend north into the broad transition with the Great Basin and at higher elevations on desert mountains above Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa desertscrub and below the lower montane woodlands (700-1800 m elevation) that occurs in the eastern and central Mojave Desert. Stands in the Arizona Sonoran Desert occur on lower slopes of mountains, foothills, hillsides, mesas, upper bajadas, and less commonly in valleys and plains in southern Arizona and extreme southeastern California. Elevations range from 150-1070 m (Shreve and Wiggins 1964). Climate is semi-arid. Summers are hot and winters rarely have freezing temperatures. Freezing winter temperatures limit the elevational and northern extent of these stands. Annual precipitation has bimodal distribution with about half of the rain falling during July to September and a third falling from December to March. Farther west, the proportion of summer precipitation decreases until there is not enough summer moisture to sustain Carnegiea gigantea (Barbour and Major 1977). Stands in the subtropical central Gulf of California coast and adjacent portions of the lower Colorado River valley region of the Sonoran Desert occur on gentle to steep, rocky sites. It extends north into the extreme southwestern U.S. and northern Sonora.
At Organ Pipe National Monument, stands typically occur on southerly aspects between 550 and 765 m (1800-2500 feet) elevation. In general, sites have gentle to steep slopes. Sites in northern Baja and southern California occur on isolated maritime coastal bluffs and terraces. Sites in the Vizcaino Region of central Baja California reach several kilometers inland. These areas are frost-free and receive the least annual precipitation of the California and Baja California coastal shrublands, most of which falls in winter. Climate is extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon). Precipitation is augmented by summer fog drip. Sonoran stands are extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon). Extended drought is common which favors plants with water storage (Turner and Brown 1982). Semi-desert vegetated and sparsely vegetated sandsheets and dunes that are stabilized or partially stabilized are included in this macrogroup. They occur as small to large patches or as a complex of active and stabilized dunes. These sand deposits often form on the leesides of desert playas and basins that serve as a source for the sand. Substrates are variable, but typically shallow, well-drained, rocky or gravelly, coarse-textured soils derived from colluvium or alluvium, except for the sand deposit vegetation included in the macrogroup, which is eolian. Parent material is usually gravelly alluvium and colluvium, derived from basalt and other igneous or metamorphic rocks.
At Organ Pipe National Monument, stands typically occur on southerly aspects between 550 and 765 m (1800-2500 feet) elevation. In general, sites have gentle to steep slopes. Sites in northern Baja and southern California occur on isolated maritime coastal bluffs and terraces. Sites in the Vizcaino Region of central Baja California reach several kilometers inland. These areas are frost-free and receive the least annual precipitation of the California and Baja California coastal shrublands, most of which falls in winter. Climate is extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon). Precipitation is augmented by summer fog drip. Sonoran stands are extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon). Extended drought is common which favors plants with water storage (Turner and Brown 1982). Semi-desert vegetated and sparsely vegetated sandsheets and dunes that are stabilized or partially stabilized are included in this macrogroup. They occur as small to large patches or as a complex of active and stabilized dunes. These sand deposits often form on the leesides of desert playas and basins that serve as a source for the sand. Substrates are variable, but typically shallow, well-drained, rocky or gravelly, coarse-textured soils derived from colluvium or alluvium, except for the sand deposit vegetation included in the macrogroup, which is eolian. Parent material is usually gravelly alluvium and colluvium, derived from basalt and other igneous or metamorphic rocks.
Geographic Range: This macrogroup forms the matrix of the vegetation in the Sonoran, Colorado and Mojave deserts of the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, MXBCN, MXSON, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860585
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.a Coastal Agave - Boojum Tree - Tree Yucca / Live-forever species Coastal Succulent Scrub Group | G298 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.b Creosotebush - Burrobush - Brittlebush Desert Scrub Group | G295 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.c Saguaro - Yellow Paloverde - Triangle Bur-ragweed Mixed Cacti Desert Scrub Group | G293 | 3.A.2.Na.4.c |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.e North American Warm Semi-Desert Dune & Sand Flats Group | G675 | 3.A.2.Na.4.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > *154.1261 Cercidium microphyllum - Encelia farinosa - Lemaireocereus thurberi - Jatropha cuneata Association (Warren et al. 1981)
> *154.1271 Cercidium microphyllum - Encelia farinosa - Lemaireocereus thurberi - Bursera microphylla Association (Warren et al. 1981)
> *154.1272 Cercidium microphyllum - Ambrosia deltoidea - Lemaireocereus thurberi - Jatropha spp. Association (Warren et al. 1981)
> 154.127 Cercidium microphyllum - Lemaireocereus thurberi Association (Warren et al. 1981)
> Acamptopappo sphaerocephali-Larreetum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Agavo cerulatae - Idrietum columnaris (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Agavo cerulatae - Idrietum columnaris (Peinado et al. 1997)
? Ambrosia deltoidea / Parkinsonia microphylla / Bursera microphylla (Bursage/Foothill Palo Verde/Elephant Tree) (Malusa 2003)
> Ambrosio chenopodifoliae-Larreetum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Atriplici julaceae-Frankenietum palmeri (Peinado et al. 2008)
> Atriplici linearis-Frankenietum palmeri (Peinado et al. 2006)
> Bergerocacto emoryi - Agavetum shawii (Peinado et al. 1994a)
> Bergerocacto emoryi - Agavetum shawii (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Bergerocacto emoryi - Agavetum shawii (Peinado et al. 2007)
> Burseretum hindsiano-microphyllae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Cercidio microphylli-Carnegieetum giganteae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Dudleyo cultratae - Lycietum californici (Peinado et al. 1997)
> Dudleyo cultratae - Lycietum californici (Peinado et al. 2008)
> Echinocereo engelmannii-Agavetum deserti (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Ephedro californicae-Lycietum brevipedis (Peinado et al. 2005)
> Errazurizio benthamii-Pachycormetum veatchianae (Peinado et al. 2005)
> Errazurizio megacarpae-Ephedretum trifurcae (Peinado et al. 2006)
> Euphorbio californicae-Fouquierietum diguetii (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Euphorbio miserae - Lycietum californici (Peinado et al. 2007)
> Euphorbio miserae - Lycietum californici (Peinado et al. 2008)
> Eurotio lanatae-Larreetum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Fouquierio splendentis-Larreetum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Jatropho cordatae-Cyrtocarpetum edulis (Peinado et al. 2011a)
> Lycium californicum (California desert-thorn) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.365.00]
> Opuntia littoralis (Coast prickly pear scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.150.00]
> Opuntio basilaris-Larretum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Opuntio taponae-Agavetum subcerulatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Opuntio taponae-Burseretum microphyllae (Peinado et al. 2005)
> Pachycereo schottii-Prosopidetum torreyanae (Peinado et al. 2008)
> Roso minutifoliae-Aesculetum parryi (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Suaedo taxifoliae-Allenrolfeetum occidentalis (Peinado et al. 2005)
> Tidestromio oblongifoliae-Atriplicetum hymenelytrae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Yucco validae - Fouquierietum diguettii (Peinado et al. 1997)
> Yucco validae - Fouquierietum diguettii (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Arizona Upland: Cercidium-Opuntia region (Shreve and Wiggins 1964)
< Blackbush (212) (Shiflet 1994)
> Cactus Scrub (Munz 1968)
> Cactus-Mesquite-Saltbush Series (Turner 1982a)
< Central Gulf Coast Subdivision (Turner 1982a)
> Copal-Torote ("Central Gulf Coast") Series, Jatropha cinerea-Bursera microphylla Association - 154.141 (Brown et al. 1979)
< Creosote Bush Scrub (Holland and Keil 1995)
> Creosote Bush Scrub (Munz 1968)
> Creosote Bush Scrub (211) (Shiflet 1994)
> Creosotebush - Bursage (506) (Shiflet 1994)
> Creosotebush-Big Galleta Scrub Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Creosotebush-Bursage Desert Scrub Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Dune Complex and Dune Endemics Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Elephant Tree-Limberbush on Xeric Rocky Slopes Natural Community - 6.2.10 (Hall et al. 2001)
= Lower Colorado River Valley: Larrea-Franseria region (Shreve and Wiggins 1964)
> Microphyll Woodland (Munz 1968)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Bladdersage Series - 153.14 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Bladdersage Series, Salazaria mexicana Association - 153.141 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Creosotebush Series - 153.11 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Creosotebush Series, Larrea divaricata-Ambrosia dumosa Association - 153.112 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Creosotebush Series, Larrea divaricata Association - 153.111 (Brown et al. 1979)
= Palo Verde - Cactus (507) (Shiflet 1994)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti ("Arizona Upland") Series, Ambrosia deltoides-Carnegia gigantea-mixed scrub Association - 154.122 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti ("Arizona Upland") Series, Ambrosia deltoides-Cercidium microphyllum-mixed scrub Association - 154.121 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti ("Arizona Upland") Series, Mixed scrub-Cercidium microphyllum-Olneya tesota mixed scrub Association - 154.127 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti-Mixed Scrub on Bajadas Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti-Mixed Scrub on Rocky Slopes Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Psammophytic Scrub (Munz 1968)
< Sonoran Desertscrub, Agave-Bursage ("Vizcaino") Series - 154.15 (Brown et al. 1979)
< Sonoran Desertscrub, Copal-Torote ("Central Gulf Coast") Series - 154.14 (Brown et al. 1979)
= Tropical-Subtropical Desertlands; Sonoran Desertscrub - 154.1 (Brown et al. 1979)
= Warm Temperate Desertlands; Mohave Desertscrub - 153.1 (Brown et al. 1979)
> *154.1271 Cercidium microphyllum - Encelia farinosa - Lemaireocereus thurberi - Bursera microphylla Association (Warren et al. 1981)
> *154.1272 Cercidium microphyllum - Ambrosia deltoidea - Lemaireocereus thurberi - Jatropha spp. Association (Warren et al. 1981)
> 154.127 Cercidium microphyllum - Lemaireocereus thurberi Association (Warren et al. 1981)
> Acamptopappo sphaerocephali-Larreetum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Agavo cerulatae - Idrietum columnaris (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Agavo cerulatae - Idrietum columnaris (Peinado et al. 1997)
? Ambrosia deltoidea / Parkinsonia microphylla / Bursera microphylla (Bursage/Foothill Palo Verde/Elephant Tree) (Malusa 2003)
> Ambrosio chenopodifoliae-Larreetum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Atriplici julaceae-Frankenietum palmeri (Peinado et al. 2008)
> Atriplici linearis-Frankenietum palmeri (Peinado et al. 2006)
> Bergerocacto emoryi - Agavetum shawii (Peinado et al. 1994a)
> Bergerocacto emoryi - Agavetum shawii (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Bergerocacto emoryi - Agavetum shawii (Peinado et al. 2007)
> Burseretum hindsiano-microphyllae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Cercidio microphylli-Carnegieetum giganteae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Dudleyo cultratae - Lycietum californici (Peinado et al. 1997)
> Dudleyo cultratae - Lycietum californici (Peinado et al. 2008)
> Echinocereo engelmannii-Agavetum deserti (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Ephedro californicae-Lycietum brevipedis (Peinado et al. 2005)
> Errazurizio benthamii-Pachycormetum veatchianae (Peinado et al. 2005)
> Errazurizio megacarpae-Ephedretum trifurcae (Peinado et al. 2006)
> Euphorbio californicae-Fouquierietum diguetii (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Euphorbio miserae - Lycietum californici (Peinado et al. 2007)
> Euphorbio miserae - Lycietum californici (Peinado et al. 2008)
> Eurotio lanatae-Larreetum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Fouquierio splendentis-Larreetum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Jatropho cordatae-Cyrtocarpetum edulis (Peinado et al. 2011a)
> Lycium californicum (California desert-thorn) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.365.00]
> Opuntia littoralis (Coast prickly pear scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.150.00]
> Opuntio basilaris-Larretum tridentatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Opuntio taponae-Agavetum subcerulatae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Opuntio taponae-Burseretum microphyllae (Peinado et al. 2005)
> Pachycereo schottii-Prosopidetum torreyanae (Peinado et al. 2008)
> Roso minutifoliae-Aesculetum parryi (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Suaedo taxifoliae-Allenrolfeetum occidentalis (Peinado et al. 2005)
> Tidestromio oblongifoliae-Atriplicetum hymenelytrae (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Yucco validae - Fouquierietum diguettii (Peinado et al. 1997)
> Yucco validae - Fouquierietum diguettii (Peinado et al. 1995c)
> Arizona Upland: Cercidium-Opuntia region (Shreve and Wiggins 1964)
< Blackbush (212) (Shiflet 1994)
> Cactus Scrub (Munz 1968)
> Cactus-Mesquite-Saltbush Series (Turner 1982a)
< Central Gulf Coast Subdivision (Turner 1982a)
> Copal-Torote ("Central Gulf Coast") Series, Jatropha cinerea-Bursera microphylla Association - 154.141 (Brown et al. 1979)
< Creosote Bush Scrub (Holland and Keil 1995)
> Creosote Bush Scrub (Munz 1968)
> Creosote Bush Scrub (211) (Shiflet 1994)
> Creosotebush - Bursage (506) (Shiflet 1994)
> Creosotebush-Big Galleta Scrub Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Creosotebush-Bursage Desert Scrub Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Dune Complex and Dune Endemics Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Elephant Tree-Limberbush on Xeric Rocky Slopes Natural Community - 6.2.10 (Hall et al. 2001)
= Lower Colorado River Valley: Larrea-Franseria region (Shreve and Wiggins 1964)
> Microphyll Woodland (Munz 1968)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Bladdersage Series - 153.14 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Bladdersage Series, Salazaria mexicana Association - 153.141 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Creosotebush Series - 153.11 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Creosotebush Series, Larrea divaricata-Ambrosia dumosa Association - 153.112 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Mohave Desertscrub, Creosotebush Series, Larrea divaricata Association - 153.111 (Brown et al. 1979)
= Palo Verde - Cactus (507) (Shiflet 1994)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti ("Arizona Upland") Series, Ambrosia deltoides-Carnegia gigantea-mixed scrub Association - 154.122 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti ("Arizona Upland") Series, Ambrosia deltoides-Cercidium microphyllum-mixed scrub Association - 154.121 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti ("Arizona Upland") Series, Mixed scrub-Cercidium microphyllum-Olneya tesota mixed scrub Association - 154.127 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti-Mixed Scrub on Bajadas Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Paloverde-Mixed Cacti-Mixed Scrub on Rocky Slopes Natural Community (Hall et al. 2001)
> Psammophytic Scrub (Munz 1968)
< Sonoran Desertscrub, Agave-Bursage ("Vizcaino") Series - 154.15 (Brown et al. 1979)
< Sonoran Desertscrub, Copal-Torote ("Central Gulf Coast") Series - 154.14 (Brown et al. 1979)
= Tropical-Subtropical Desertlands; Sonoran Desertscrub - 154.1 (Brown et al. 1979)
= Warm Temperate Desertlands; Mohave Desertscrub - 153.1 (Brown et al. 1979)
- Barbour, M. G., and J. Major, editors. 1977. Terrestrial vegetation of California. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 1002 pp.
- Barbour, M. G., and J. Major, editors. 1988. Terrestrial vegetation of California: New expanded edition. California Native Plant Society, Special Publication 9, Sacramento. 1030 pp.
- Beatley, J. C. 1976. Vascular plants of the Nevada Test Site and central-southern Nevada: Ecological and geographic distributions. Technical Information Center, Energy Research and Development Administration. TID-26881. Prepared for Division of Biomedical and Environmental Research. 297 pp.
- Benson, L. 1982. The cacti of the United States and Canada. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. 1044 pp.
- Bowers, J. E. 1982. The plant ecology of inland dunes in western North America. Journal of Arid Environments 5:199-220.
- Bowers, J. E. 1984. Plant geography of southwestern sand dunes. Desert Plants 6(1):31-42, 51-54.
- Bowers, J. E., and S. P. McLaughlin. 1987. Flora and vegetation of The Rincon Mountains, Pima County, Arizona. Desert Plants 8(2):51-95.
- Brooks, M. L., T. C. Esque, and T. Duck. 2007. Creosotebush, blackbrush, and interior chaparral shrublands. Chapter 6 in: General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-202. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO.
- Brown, D. E., C. H. Lowe, and C. P. Pase. 1979. A digitized classification system for the biotic communities of North America with community (series) and association examples for the Southwest. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 14:1-16.
- Brown, D. E., editor. 1982a. Biotic communities of the American Southwest-United States and Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 4(1-4):1-342.
- 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]
- Felger, R. S. 1980. Vegetation and flora of the Gran Desierto, Sonora, Mexico. Desert Plants 2(2):87-114.
- Hall, J., P. Comer, A. Gondor, R. Marshall, S. Weinstein. 2001. Conservation elements of the Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona: Characteristics, status, threats, and preliminary management recommendations. The Nature Conservancy of Arizona.
- Holland, V. L., and D. J. Keil. 1995. California vegetation. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, IA. 516 pp.
- Keeler-Wolf, T. 2007. Mojave Desert scrub vegetation. Pages 609-656 in: M. G. Barbour, T. Keeler-Wolf, and A. A. Schoenherr, editors. Terrestrial vegetation of California. Third edition. University of California Press, Berkeley.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., C. Roye, and K. Lewis. 1998a. Vegetation mapping and classification of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California. Unpublished report on file at California Natural Diversity Database, California Department Fish and Game, Sacramento.
- LANDFIRE [Landfire National Vegetation Dynamics Database]. 2007a. Landfire National Vegetation Dynamics Models. Landfire Project, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Department of Interior. (January - last update) [http://www.LANDFIRE.gov/index.php] (accessed 8 February 2007).
- MacMahon, J. A. 1988. Warm deserts. Pages 232-264 in: M. G. Barbour and W. D. Billings, editors. North American terrestrial vegetation. Cambridge University Press, New York.
- Malusa, J. 2003. Vegetation of the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. Report submitted to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, NPS Cooperative Agreement CA1248.00.002. TA. UA2-71, NPS Cooperative Agreement 1443CA860197006. USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Sonoran Desert Field Station, University of Arizona, Tucson.
- McAuliffe, J. R. 1993. Case study of research, monitoring, and management programs associated with the saguaro cactus (Carnegia gigantea) at Saguaro National Monument, Arizona. Technical Report NPS/WRUA/NRTR-93/01. National Park Service, Tucson, AZ. 50 pp.
- Munz, P. A. 1968. A California flora and supplement. University of California Press, Berkeley CA.
- Niering, W. A., and C. H. Lowe. 1984. Vegetation of the Santa Catalina Mountains: Community types and dynamics. Vegetatio 58:3-28.
- Ostler, W. K., D. J. Hansen, D. C. Anderson, and D. B. Hall. 2000. Classification of vegetation on the Nevada Test Site. DOE/NV/11718-477. U.S. Department of Energy, Bechtel Nevada Ecological Services, Las Vegas, NV. 102 pp.
- Peinado, M., C. Bartolome, J. Delgadillo, and I. Aguado. 1994a. Pisos de Vegetacion de la Sierra de San Pedro Martir, Baja California, Mexico. Acta Botanica Mexicana 29:1-30.
- Peinado, M., F. Alcaraz, J. L. Aguirre, J. Delgadillo, and M. A. Macias. 2007. Zonobiomes, zonoecotones, and azonal vegetation along the Pacific coast of North America. Plant Ecology 191:221-252.
- Peinado, M., F. Alcaraz, J. L. Aguirre, and J. Alvarez. 1997. Vegetation formations and associations of the zonobiomes along the North American Pacific coast: From northern Baja California to Alaska. Plant Ecology 114 (2):29-47.
- Peinado, M., F. Alcaraz, J. L. Aguirre, and J. Delgadillo. 1995c. Major plant communities of warm North American deserts. Journal of Vegetation Science 6:79-94.
- Peinado, M., F. M. Ocaña-Peinado, J. L. Aguirre, J. Delgadillo, M. Á. Macías, and G. Díaz-Santiago. 2011a. A phytosociological and phytogeographical survey of the coastal vegetation of western North America: Beach and dune vegetation from Baja California to Alaska. Applied Vegetation Science 14:464-484.
- Peinado, M., J. Delgadillo, and J. L. Aguirre. 2005. Plant associations of the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve (Baja California, Mexico). The Southwestern Naturalist 50(2):129-149.
- Peinado, M., J. L. Aguirre, J. Delgadillo, and M. Á. Macías. 2008. A phytosociological survey of the coastal vegetation of western North America. Part I: Plant communities of Baja California, Mexico. Plant Ecology 196:27-60.
- Peinado, M., M. Á. Macías, J. Delgadillo, and J. L. Aguirre. 2006. Major plant communities of North America''s most arid region: The San Felipe Desert, Baja California, México. Plant Biosystems 140(3):280-296.
- Robichaux, R. H., editor. 1999. Ecology of Sonoran Desert plants and plant communities. University of Arizona Press. 303 pp.
- 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.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.
- Shreve, F., and I. L. Wiggins. 1964. Vegetation and flora of the Sonoran Desert. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. 840 pp.
- Thomas, K. A., T. Keeler-Wolf, J. Franklin, and P. Stine. 2004. Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program: Central Mojave vegetation mapping database. U.S. Geological Survey, Western Regional Science Center. 251 pp.
- Turner, R. M. 1982a. Sonoran desertscrub. Chapter 154.1 in: D. E. Brown, editor. Biotic communities of the American Southwest-United States and Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 4(1-4):1-342.
- Warren, P. L., B. K. Mortensen, B. D. Treadwell, J. E. Bowers, and K. L. Reichhardt. 1981. Vegetation of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report 7. Tucson, AZ. 140 pp.