Print Report

A0836 Baccharis pilularis Scrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is dominated or codominated by Baccharis pilularis and occurs from southern Oregon to central and southern California along the Pacific Coast and in the interior of the Coast Ranges, as well as in the Transverse Ranges.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Coyotebrush Scrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: Coyotebrush Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: The dominant or codominant species Baccharis pilularis behaves similarly in southern California mountains as it does in other areas of northern California where it often forms the first wave of woody species to recolonize cleared land. Other shrubs species vary depending on the habitat and location within California, but even locally, no other shrub species are consistently present. In dune shrublands of the northern California and Oregon coasts, Scrophularia californica, Solidago simplex var. spathulata, and Anaphalis margaritacea are common forbs. In older dune stands, tree species relatively tolerant of salt and wind, such as Alnus rubra and Pinus contorta, may become established. Away from the immediate coast, Baccharis pilularis forms shrublands with several other shrubs species. Artemisia pycnocephala, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Eriodictyon californicum, Eriophyllum stoechadifolium, Gaultheria shallon, Lupinus spp., Rubus ursinus, and Toxicodendron diversilobum are all common associates. Common herbaceous species include Castilleja latifolia, Heracleum maximum, and Polystichum munitum. South of San Francisco Bay, the coastal scrub is similar in structure but different in species composition. Associated shrub species include Artemisia californica, Diplacus aurantiacus, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Eriophyllum confertiflorum, and Salvia spp. Herbaceous species decrease in abundance and non-native annual grasses, such as Avena spp., Bromus spp., and Lolium spp., increase in cover. This alliance occurs from southern Oregon to central and southern California along the Pacific Coast and in the interior of the Coast Ranges, as well as in the Transverse Ranges. The shrublands are scattered on river mouths, streamsides, terraces, stabilized dunes of coastal bars, spits along coastline, coastal bluffs, open slopes, and ridges.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Baccharis pilularis is dominant to codominant in the shrub canopy with >50% absolute cover in association with numerous other shrub species and herbs depending on habitat and location.

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: The vegetation in this alliance is characterized by the dominance of an evergreen sclerophyllous shrub, but is somewhat variable in species composition and community structure. In coastal sand dunes, the shrublands are somewhat open (40-70% cover) with abundant forb and graminoid associates. Older stands may also have a sparse emergent layer of needle-leaved evergreen or cold-deciduous trees.

Floristics: These shrublands are dominated or codominated by Baccharis pilularis. In dune shrublands of the northern California and Oregon coasts, Anaphalis margaritacea, Scrophularia californica, and Solidago simplex var. spathulata (= Solidago spathulata) are common forbs. In older dune stands, tree species relatively tolerant of salt and wind, such as Alnus rubra and Pinus contorta, may become established. In Deschampsia - Danthonia northern coastal prairies, Baccharis pilularis is the primary shrub colonizer and often forms dense, pure stands. On colluvial slopes in coastal and interior mountains, Baccharis pilularis occurs with Artemisia californica, Diplacus aurantiacus, Frangula californica (= Rhamnus californica), Rosa californica, and Toxicodendron diversilobum. There can be an emergent tree layer that includes Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia and Quercus lobata. The following information is from Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995) and Barbour and Major (1977) for Baccharis pilularis shrublands elsewhere in California. Away from the immediate coast, Baccharis pilularis forms shrublands with several other shrubs species. Artemisia pycnocephala, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Eriodictyon californicum, Eriophyllum stoechadifolium, Gaultheria shallon, Lupinus spp., Rubus ursinus, and Toxicodendron diversilobum are all common associates. Common herbaceous associates include Castilleja latifolia, Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), and Polystichum munitum. South of San Francisco Bay, the coastal scrub is similar in structure, but different in species composition. Associated shrub species include Artemisia californica, Diplacus aurantiacus (= Mimulus aurantiacus), Eriogonum fasciculatum, Eriophyllum confertiflorum, and Salvia spp. Herbaceous species decrease in abundance and non-native annual grasses, such as Avena spp., Bromus spp., and Lolium spp., increase in cover.

Dynamics:  Baccharis pilularis is a vigorous, short-lived pioneer species which can form dense even-aged stands. It may serve as a nurse plant for native grasses as well as coastal live oak (Quercus agrifolia). When a Baccharis pilularis individual dies, live oak seedlings are released from competitive suppression. Ruderal stands may form on disturbed sites such as roadsides, levies, and sites of recent landslides. Little has been published on the fire ecology of coyotebrush. It resprouts after fire and the smallest individuals produce most of the sprouts. Its seeds are wind-dispersed; thus, seedlings can be abundant after fire, even if this species had low preburn cover (Borchert et al. 2004).
Environmental Description:  The alliance occurs in low-elevation (0-1500 m) habitats which are under the influence of maritime air for much or all of the year. Precipitation is highly variable, ranging from 25-200 cm annually, with a pronounced dry period in summer. The shrublands are scattered on river mouths, streamsides, terraces, stabilized dunes of coastal bars, spits along coastline, coastal bluffs, open slopes, and ridges. Salt spray and sand abrasion are typical stresses in these habitats. Away from the immediate coast, the shrublands are seral communities which follow fire, logging, or other disturbance in low-elevation forests. In southern California, the coyotebrush alliance is common along the coast of the Santa Lucia Mountains. It occupies linear, lower and middle slopes that face south to west below elevations of 366 m (1200 feet). Slopes are usually <65%. Soils are moderately deep and develop over a mixture of bedrock and colluvium or just colluvium. Parent material is highly variable. Soils are well-drained Mollisols, Entisols and Alfisols. A-horizon and subsoil textures are similar and include sandy loams and sandy clay loams (Borchert et al. 2004). The relatively xeric climate of lower San Lucia Mountains compared to areas in northern California where this association has been reported is reflected in a low-slope position and locally mesic setting of most of the stands. Stands in the northern part of the state may occur in many topographic settings.
Geographic Range: This alliance has been described from southern Oregon to central and southern California along the Pacific Coast, and in the interior of the Coast Ranges, as well as in the Transverse Ranges of Los Padres National Forest in southern California.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA, OR


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

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.1 Mediterranean Scrub & Grassland Formation F038 2.B.1
Division 2.B.1.Na Californian Scrub & Grassland Division D327 2.B.1.Na
Macrogroup 2.B.1.Na.2 Coastal Sagebrush - Black Sage - Coyotebrush Coastal Scrub Macrogroup M044 2.B.1.Na.2
Group 2.B.1.Na.2.c Californian North Coastal & Mesic Scrub Group G662 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Alliance A0836 Coyotebrush Scrub Alliance A0836 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL001426 Coyotebrush / Beach Wormwood - California Figwort Shrubland CEGL001426 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003183 Coyotebrush / Annual Grass-Herb Shrubland CEGL003183 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003184 Coyotebrush - Coastal Sagebrush Shrubland CEGL003184 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003186 Coyotebrush - Blueblossom Shrubland CEGL003186 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003187 Coyotebrush / California Oatgrass Shrubland CEGL003187 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003188 Coyotebrush / Tufted Hairgrass Shrubland CEGL003188 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003189 Coyotebrush / Powdery Live-forever Shrubland CEGL003189 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003190 Coyotebrush / Seaside Woolly-sunflower Shrubland CEGL003190 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003191 Coyotebrush - California Buckthorn - Thimbleberry Shrubland CEGL003191 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003192 Coyotebrush - Oceanspray Shrubland CEGL003192 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003194 Coyotebrush / Purple Needlegrass Shrubland CEGL003194 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003195 Coyotebrush / Western Swordfern Shrubland CEGL003195 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003196 Coyotebrush - California Blackberry / Weedy Herbs Shrubland CEGL003196 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003197 Coyotebrush - Pacific Poison-oak Shrubland CEGL003197 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003316 California Buckthorn - Coyotebrush / California Figwort Shrubland CEGL003316 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003340 California Wax-myrtle Shrubland CEGL003340 2.B.1.Na.2.c
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.836

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Baccharis pilularis (Coyote brush scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.060.00]
= Baccharis pilularis Alliance (Coyote brush scrub) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
= Baccharis pilularis Shrubland Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Baccharis pilularis Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [32.060.00]
= Coyote brush series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Diablan Sage Scrub (#32600) (Holland 1986b)
>< Northern (Franciscan) Coastal Scrub (#32100) (Holland 1986b)
>< Northern Coastal Bluff Scrub (#31100) (Holland 1986b)
>< Northern Coyote Bush Scrub (#32110) (Holland 1986b)
>< Northern Dune Scrub (#21310) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): D. Sarr 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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