Physiognomy and Structure: Tall evergreen broad-leaved and needle-leaved trees.

Floristics: Stands are typically dominated by a single species and include small to large trees. Dominant non-native species documented to occur as naturalized stands include Ailanthus altissima, Acacia cyclops, Acacia dealbata, Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia redolens, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Corymbia citriodora (= Eucalyptus citriodora), Eucalyptus cladocalyx, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus polyanthemos, Eucalyptus pulverulenta, Eucalyptus sideroxylon, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus viminalis, Ficus carica, Myoporum laetum, Pinus halepensis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Schinus molle, and Schinus terebinthifolius. Some native trees have become invasive outside of their natural range such as Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (= Cupressus macrocarpa) and Pinus radiata. DiTomaso and Healy (2007) consider Myoporum laetum and Pinus halepensis invasive in California. Understories are usually depauperate; however, sometimes other non-natives, such as Hedera helix, may occur extensively in stands (Sawyer et al. 2009). Mapping of parks and other natural areas throughout California find more and more species that are becoming naturalized, especially at the interface of wildlands and urban areas (e.g., Verdone and Evens 2009).

Dynamics:  Eucalyptus species are fire-adapted and cause concern for managers, as the trees and debris buildup are extremely flammable. Wildfires in these stands can build into explosive crown fires. Birds disperse the seeds of Schinus species and Myoporum laetum into wildland areas, and ornamentals have escaped from cultivation. All of the genera that form this macrogroup can resprout after fire or other disturbances such as cutting or felling.