Print Report

A1029 Vachellia farnesiana - Opuntia dillenii - Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum Dune Scrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This vegetation consists of sparse to dense shrub thickets dominated by thorny shrubs, including Vachellia farnesiana, Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum, Opuntia dillenii, Yucca aloifolia, and Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, found on coastal dunes and shell ridges along the western Louisiana and upper Texas coasts.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sweet Acacia - Spiny Florida Prickly-pear - Gulf Coast Wolfberry Dune Scrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: Sweet Acacia - Prickly-pear - Wolfberry Dune Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This vegetation consists of sparse to dense shrub thickets on coastal dunes and shell ridges along the western Louisiana and upper Texas coasts. It is dominated by thorny shrubs, including Vachellia farnesiana, Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum, Opuntia dillenii, Yucca aloifolia, and Zanthoxylum clava-herculis. In addition, Celtis laevigata is often present as a small tree. The herb layer contains various dune herbs, but is usually dominated by Spartina patens, with Astragalus leptocarpus also being common. It grades through widely scattered shrubs to herb-dominated dune vegetation. This alliance is commonly grazed, and the abundance of thorny and spiny species may be partly the result of grazing pressure.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These are sparse to dense shrub thickets on coastal dunes and shell ridges along the western Louisiana and upper Texas coasts.

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: These are sparse to dense shrub thickets, possibly with scattered emergent small trees. This vegetation grades through widely scattered shrubs to herb-dominated dune vegetation.

Floristics: This vegetation consists of sparse to dense shrub thickets dominated by thorny shrubs, including Vachellia farnesiana (= Acacia farnesiana), Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum, Opuntia dillenii (= Opuntia stricta var. dillenii), Yucca aloifolia, and Zanthoxylum clava-herculis. In addition, Celtis laevigata is often present as a small tree. The herb layer contains various dune herbs, but is usually dominated by Spartina patens, with Astragalus leptocarpus also being common.

Dynamics:  This alliance is commonly grazed, and the abundance of thorny and spiny species may be partly the result of grazing pressure.
Environmental Description:  This vegetation is found on coastal dune and shell ridges along the Louisiana and upper Texas coast.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found along the western Louisiana and upper Texas coasts.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  LA, TX


Confidence Level: Low

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.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation F005 2.B.4
Division 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division D026 2.B.4.Na
Macrogroup 2.B.4.Na.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup M057 2.B.4.Na.2
Group 2.B.4.Na.2.a Wax-myrtle - Sea-oats - Shore Little Bluestem Dune & Grassland Group G494 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Alliance A1029 Sweet Acacia - Spiny Florida Prickly-pear - Gulf Coast Wolfberry Dune Scrub Alliance A1029 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Association CEGL003932 Sweet Acacia - Spiny Florida Prickly-pear - Gulf Coast Wolfberry / Saltmeadow Cordgrass Shrubland CEGL003932 2.B.4.Na.2.a
Concept Lineage: This alliance is equivalent to the old alliance A.1029 (one to one).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): A.S. Weakley and L.M. Smith, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by A.S. Weakley, L.M. Smith, and J. Teague.

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]