Print Report

A2062 Cytisus scoparius - Ulex europaeus Coastal Ruderal Scrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance is found in areas along the northern Pacific Coast. Stands have shrub layers dominated by invasive non-native shrubs species Cytisus scoparius and Ulex europaeus, along with Lupinus arboreus, which is native to central California.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Scotch Broom - Common Gorse Coastal Ruderal Scrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Coastal Dune Broom - Gorse Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This shrubland alliance is found in areas along the northern Pacific Coast. Stands have shrub layers dominated by invasive non-native shrubs species Cytisus scoparius and Ulex europaeus, along with Lupinus arboreus, which is native to central California, but introduced and invasive in northern California, central Oregon and farther north. This semi-natural vegetation often occurs in dune systems stabilized by the introduction of non-native beachgrasses Ammophila arenaria and Ammophila breviligulata, then invaded by introduced invasive shrubs. These areas can be dense shrublands totally composed of one or more of these species, or they can be more open grassland - shrubland mosaics.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Coastal dunes of northern Pacific Coast characterized by dominance of non-native species, including Cytisus scoparius and Ulex europaeus.

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: Stands of this vegetation include open to closed, short-shrub layers and may have graminoid-dominated understories.

Floristics: This alliance is characterized by an open to closed, short-shrub layer dominated by invasive non-native shrubs species such as Cytisus scoparius, Genista monspessulana, Spartium junceum, Ulex europaeus, and/or Lupinus arboreus, which is native to central California, but introduced and invasive in northern California, central Oregon and farther north. This semi-natural vegetation often occurs in dune systems stabilized by the introduction of non-native beachgrasses Ammophila arenaria and Ammophila breviligulata, then invaded by introduced invasive shrubs. These areas can be dense shrublands totally composed of one or more of these species, or they can be more open grassland - shrubland mosaics (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995, Sawyer et al. 2009).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This shrubland alliance is found in areas along the northern Pacific Coast and California Central Valley on sand dunes, roadsides, disturbed places, eroding slopes, riverbanks, disturbed grasslands, shrublands, forest openings.
Geographic Range: This alliance is currently known from California north to British Columbia, Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  BC, CA, OR, WA


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D022 2.B.2.Nf
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nf.90 Smooth Brome - Knapweed species - Pepperweed species Western North American Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup M493 2.B.2.Nf.90
Group 2.B.2.Nf.90.b Southern Vancouverian Lowland Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Group G648 2.B.2.Nf.90.b
Alliance A2062 Scotch Broom - Common Gorse Coastal Ruderal Scrub Alliance A2062 2.B.2.Nf.90.b
Association CEGL003045 Scotch Broom Ruderal Shrubland CEGL003045 2.B.2.Nf.90.b
Association CEGL003372 Common Gorse Ruderal Shrubland CEGL003372 2.B.2.Nf.90.b
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.820

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Broom (Cytisus scoparius and Others) Shrubland Semi-Natural Alliance (CNPS 2017) [32.180.00]
= Broom (Cytisus scoparius and Others) (Broom patches) Semi-natural Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.180.00]
= Broom Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
< Coastal Scrub (#32000) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): J. Kagan and G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.E. Hall

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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