Print Report
A1032 Glossopetalon spinescens Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: These sparse shrublands are dominated by the xeromorphic shrub Glossopetalon spinescens and occur along the rims of the Snake River and Imnaha River canyons in Idaho and eastern Oregon.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Spiny Greasebush Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Spiny Greasebush Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Vegetation included in this minor alliance has a sparse woody layer (usually less than 1 m tall) that is dominated by the xeromorphic shrub Glossopetalon spinescens (15-23% cover). The herbaceous layer is also relatively sparse (typically 10-20% cover). It is dominated by the perennial bunchgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata. Other characteristic species include the annual grass Vulpia myuros and forbs such as Achillea millefolium, Cerastium arvense, Erigeron pumilus, Opuntia polyacantha, and Phacelia heterophylla. Moss and lichen cover is moderate and averages 22% cover. Exotic species, namely Bromus tectorum, Bromus arvensis, and Bromus briziformis, are often present. These sparse shrublands occur along the rims of the Snake River and Imnaha River canyons in Idaho and eastern Oregon. Elevations range from 550-900 m, and the climate is temperate continental. Mean annual precipitation is approximately 25-30 cm. Precipitation primarily occurs in the winter as snow or rain. This moisture is stored in the soil and in fractures in the highly weathered bedrock, and utilized during the usually dry summers. Stands are typically found on steep upper canyon slopes, but may occur on the lower canyon slopes. Sites are predominantly on hot, dry southwestern aspects, although the alliance may occur on all aspects. Soils are shallow, well-drained loams or sandy loams with a high percentage of rock fragments (greater than 35% by volume and 40% ground cover), and derived from loess and various bedrock types.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Nearly dwarf-shrublands with low to open cover dominated by Glossopetalon spinescens in association with a sparse to open herbaceous layer composed of grasses.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Some stands in this alliance may be too sparse to be classified as dwarf-shrublands (Johnson and Simon 1987).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance has sparse to moderate cover of shrubs (usually less than 1 m tall). There is also a sparse herbaceous layer that is dominated by perennial bunch grasses with sparse scattered perennial forbs. Annual forbs and grasses are seasonally present in small amounts.
Floristics: Vegetation included in this minor alliance has a sparse woody layer (usually less than 1 m tall) that is dominated by the xeromorphic shrub Glossopetalon spinescens (15-23% cover). The herbaceous layer is also relatively sparse (typically 10-20% cover). It is dominated by the perennial bunchgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata. Other characteristic species include the annual grass Vulpia myuros and forbs such as Achillea millefolium, Cerastium arvense, Erigeron pumilus, Opuntia polyacantha, and Phacelia heterophylla. Moss and lichen cover is moderate and averages 22% cover. Exotic species, namely Bromus tectorum, Bromus arvensis (= Bromus japonicus), and Bromus briziformis are often present.
Dynamics: Stands occur on steep hot, dry, canyon slopes. Glossopetalon spinescens appears restricted to these areas with weathered, fractured bedrock that provides deeper rooting for these shrubs and other plants. Fire is infrequent because stands are isolated on rims and rock outcrops (Johnson and Simon 1987). The biggest threat is exotic plants that have invaded many stands.
Environmental Description: These sparse shrublands occur along the rims of the Snake and Imnaha River canyons in Idaho and eastern Oregon. Elevations range from 550-900 m, and the climate is temperate continental. Mean annual precipitation is approximately 25-30 cm. Precipitation primarily occurs in the winter as snow or rain. This moisture is stored in the soil and in fractures in the highly weathered bedrock, and utilized during the usually dry summers. Stands are typically found on steep upper canyon slopes, but may occur on the lower canyon slopes. Sites are predominantly on hot, dry southwest aspects, although the alliance may occur on all aspects. Soils are shallow, well-drained loam or sandy loam with a high percentage of rock fragments (greater than 35% by volume and 40% ground cover), and derived from loess and various bedrock types.
Geographic Range: This is a minor alliance found on rocky slopes in the Snake and Imnaha river canyons in Idaho and Oregon. It may also occur in Washington.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, OR, WA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899063
Confidence Level: Low
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.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S11 | 3.B |
| Formation | 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F033 | 3.B.1 |
| Division | 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D040 | 3.B.1.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 3.B.1.Ne.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A1032 Spiny Greasebush Shrubland Alliance | A1032 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL001100 Nevada Greasebush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrubland | CEGL001100 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.1032
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.