Print Report

A1257 Festuca viridula - Carex hoodii - Lupinus spp. Subalpine Mesic Meadow Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This high-elevation grassland alliance is dominated or codominated by diagnostic species Festuca viridula, which may form dense, continuous stands in pristine situations. It occurs in cold, dry sites throughout the Pacific Northwest extending east to the central Rocky Mountains in northern Idaho and Wyoming.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Greenleaf Fescue - Hood''s Sedge - Lupine species Subalpine Mesic Meadow Alliance

Colloquial Name: Subalpine Greenleaf Fescue Mesic Meadow

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Vegetation of this high-elevation grassland alliance is dominated or codominated by Festuca viridula with Carex hoodii, Eucephalus ledophyllus, Festuca idahoensis, Lupinus argenteus var. laxiflorus, or Lupinus latifolius. These diagnostic species form dense, continuous stands in pristine situations. Dwarf-shrub and subshrub species include Paxistima myrsinites and Phlox diffusa. Adjacent vegetation is often subalpine forests of Tsuga mertensiana or Abies lasiocarpa, and at wetter sites, Carex spp. meadows or Phyllodoce - Cassiope shrublands are typical. This alliance occurs in cold, dry sites throughout the Pacific Northwest extending east to the central Rocky Mountains in northern Idaho. Stands occur from 1370 m in the northern Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains to 1586-1769 m in northern Idaho to over 2400 m in the mountains of northeastern Oregon. They are typically associated with south-facing or exposed slopes where snow cover is blown or melted off relatively early. Soils are usually well-drained and vary in texture from coarse colluvium on steep slopes to fine-textured loams in low-gradient subalpine meadows.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This subalpine mesic meadow is characterized by dominance or codominance of Festuca viridula with Carex hoodii, Eucephalus ledophyllus, Festuca idahoensis, Lupinus argenteus var. laxiflorus, or Lupinus latifolius, which are the diagnostic species. Most stands are mixed with several other graminoid or forb species and occasionally with dwarf-shrub and subshrub species.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The range of this alliance needs to be reviewed as some associations extend into the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades and may exceed that of the range of ~Rocky Mountain-North Pacific Subalpine-Montane Mesic Grassland & Meadow Group (G271)$$. Some Festuca viridula-dominated grasslands in the Blue and Wallowa mountains of Oregon (Johnson and Simon 1987, Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992) are described as dense, sod-forming clumps of Festuca viridula and nearly forb-free, with much litter and no bare ground or exposed gravel or rock particles, which may be better classified in a grassland group.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance is characterized by a dense layer of cespitose graminoids between 0.5-1 m in height. Forbs are usually scattered through the graminoid matrix and may be abundant in some stands. Evergreen or cold-deciduous shrubs may be scattered through the stand, but are typically very sparse.

Floristics: This alliance is characterized by a moderate to dense herbaceous layer dominated or codominated by Festuca viridula with Carex hoodii, Eucephalus ledophyllus, Festuca idahoensis, Lupinus argenteus var. laxiflorus, or Lupinus latifolius the diagnostic species. Most stands are mixed with several other graminoid or forb species and occasionally with dwarf-shrub and subshrub species such as Paxistima myrsinites and Phlox diffusa. Other associated graminoids include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum occidentale, Carex geyeri, Carex spectabilis, Elymus elymoides, Phleum alpinum, and Poa cusickii. Common forb associates include Antennaria lanata, Arnica parryi, Eriogonum heracleoides, Erysimum arenicola, Hieracium gracile, Juncus parryi, Ligusticum grayi, Lomatium martindalei, Luetkea pectinata, Lupinus arcticus, Lupinus caudatus, Nothocalais alpestris, Oreostemma alpigenum, Penstemon confertus, Penstemon globosus, Penstemon procerus, Polemonium pulcherrimum, Polygonum bistortoides, Polygonum phytolaccifolium, and Potentilla flabellifolia. In early-seral stands, Achillea millefolium, Hackelia micrantha (= Hackelia jessicae), and Rudbeckia occidentalis can provide significant cover. Festuca viridula-dominated grasslands in the Blue and Wallowa mountains of Oregon (Johnson and Simon 1987, Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992) are described as dense, sod-forming clumps of this grass with low cover of forbs.

Dynamics:  These mesic grasslands are associated with sites where soils are too droughty for forest growth. Daubenmire and Daubenmire (1968) noted that these communities tended to occur near the summits of south-facing mountains, where snow was blown off by southerly winds, resulting in severe soil drought in summer. Most of these communities were severely grazed in the early part of the 20th century allowing increases in forbs, needlegrass (Hesperostipa spp., Achnatherum spp.), and bare ground in these communities. Most stands are now considered disclimax associations which are in various stages of recovery (Johnson and Simon 1987).
Environmental Description:  This high-elevation grassland alliance occurs in cold, dry sites throughout the Pacific Northwest extending east to the central Rocky Mountains in northern Idaho. Elevations range from 1370 m in the northern Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains and 1586-1769 m in northern Idaho to over 2400 m in the mountains of northeastern Oregon. This alliance is typically associated with rainshadow areas of the higher mountains and may extend into lower alpine zones. Stands are typically associated with moderate (10-30%) south-facing or exposed slopes, plateaus or ridgetops where snow cover is blown or melted off relatively early. However, west of the Cascades some stands occur on moist sites along ridgetops, seepy sideslopes and interforest meadows. Summer lightning is common, and lightning fires may also serve to prevent tree or shrub encroachment. Soils are generally well-drained, fairly shallow (76 cm) and stony and vary in texture from coarse colluvium on steep slopes to fine-textured loams in low-gradient subalpine meadows. Parent materials are usually weathered volcanic extrusives such as basalt, pumice and ash or loess deposits.
Geographic Range: These high-altitude mesic grasslands occur in cold, dry sites throughout the Pacific Northwest extending east to the central Rocky Mountains in northern Idaho, near the border with Canada, in Kaniksu National Forest in the Selkirk Mountains.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  CA?, ID, OR, WA


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.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.3 Tufted Hairgrass - Licorice-root species - Mountain Muhly Subalpine-High Montane Mesic Meadow Macrogroup M168 2.B.2.Nf.3
Group 2.B.2.Nf.3.b Greenleaf Fescue - Tufted Hairgrass - Licorice-root species Rocky Mountain-Vancouverian Grassland & Meadow Group G271 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Alliance A1257 Greenleaf Fescue - Hood''s Sedge - Lupine species Subalpine Mesic Meadow Alliance A1257 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Association CEGL001568 Red Fescue Montane Meadow CEGL001568 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Association CEGL001596 Greenleaf Fescue - Hood''s Sedge Meadow CEGL001596 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Association CEGL001632 Greenleaf Fescue - Cascade Aster Meadow CEGL001632 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Association CEGL001633 Greenleaf Fescue - Idaho Fescue Meadow CEGL001633 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Association CEGL001634 Greenleaf Fescue - Spur Lupine Meadow CEGL001634 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Association CEGL001635 Greenleaf Fescue - Broadleaf Lupine Meadow CEGL001635 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Concept Lineage: A.1257 and A.NCCN-067 (mod. A.1257) Festuca viridula Herbaceous Alliance. This new alliance equals the old alliance V.A.5.N.d. Festuca viridula Herbaceous Alliance (A.1257).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): K. Schulz, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2014)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: We acknowledge D. Sarr for writing the original alliance description.

Version Date: 03-14-14
  • Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
  • Daubenmire, R. 1981. Subalpine parks associated with snow transfer in the mountains of northern Idaho and eastern Washington. Northwest Science 55:124-135.
  • Daubenmire, R. F., and J. B. Daubenmire. 1968. Forest vegetation of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Washington State University Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin No. 60. 104 pp.
  • Douglas, G. W., and L. C. Bliss. 1977. Alpine and high subalpine plant communities of the North Cascades Range, Washington and British Columbia. Ecological Monographs 47:113-150.
  • 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.
  • Franklin, J. F., and C. T. Dyrness. 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington. General Technical Report PNW-8. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR. 417 pp.
  • Hall, F. C. 1967. Vegetation-soil relations as a basis for resource management on the Ochoco National Forest of central Oregon. Unpublished dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 207 pp.
  • Hamann, M. J. 1972. Vegetation of alpine and subalpine meadows of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Unpublished thesis, Washington State University, Pullman. 120 pp.
  • Head, S. C. 1959. Plant taxonomy and ecology of the East Eagle Creek Drainage of the Wallowa Mountains, Northeast Oregon. Unpublished dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 249 pp.
  • Henderson, J. A. 1973. Composition, distribution and succession of subalpine meadows in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Unpublished dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 150 pp.
  • Henderson, J. A., and D. Peter. 1982. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the Snoqualmie and adjacent Skykomish River drainages, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 87 pp.
  • 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.
  • Johnson, C. G., and S. A. Simon. 1985. Plant associations of the Wallowa Valley Ranger District, Part II: Steppe. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 258 pp.
  • Kuramoto, R. T., and L. C. Bliss. 1970. Ecology of subalpine meadows in the Olympic Mountains, Washington. Ecological Monographs 40:317-347.
  • Layser, E. F. 1980. Flora of Pend Oreille County, Washington. Washington State University Cooperative Extension, Pullman. 146 pp.
  • Reid, E. H., G. S. Strickler, and W. B. Hall. 1980. Green fescue grassland: Forty years of secondary succession. Research Paper PNW-274. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Experiment Station, Portland, OR.
  • Tisdale, E. W. 1986. Canyon grasslands and associated shrublands of west-central Idaho and adjacent areas. Bulletin No. 40. Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Moscow. 42 pp.