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A2020 Sorghum halepense Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This semi-natural alliance is dominated by the non-native grass Sorghum halepense and occurs in northern Mexico, Arizona and elsewhere in the desert southwestern U.S.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Johnson Grass Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Johnson Grass Desert Grassland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: The vegetation is characterized by a relatively sparse to dense herbaceous layer dominated or codominated by the exotic perennial forage grass Sorghum halepense. The native annual forb Amaranthus palmeri often codominates. Associated species are sometimes many and include scattered Prosopis velutina shrubs and grasses and forbs such as Chenopodium berlandieri, Chloris virgata, Eragrostis cilianensis, Eragrostis pectinacea, Eriochloa acuminata, Ipomoea spp., Kallstroemia grandiflora, Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata, Salsola kali, and Solanum elaeagnifolium. This semi-natural alliance occurs in northern Mexico, Arizona and elsewhere in the desert southwestern U.S. where disturbance by sorghum cultivation for forage production has converted what was likely natural desert grasslands. Sites are typically flat to gently sloping basins and flats that may be intermittently flooded. Soils are variable but typically finer-textured silt loam or clays.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Edges of fields, roadsides, and disturbed or formerly cultivated areas dominated by Sorghum halepense.

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: This alliance is characterized by a relatively sparse to dense herbaceous layer dominated or codominated by an exotic perennial forage grass.

Floristics: The vegetation is characterized by a relatively sparse to dense herbaceous layer dominated or codominated by the exotic perennial forage grass Sorghum halepense. The native annual forb Amaranthus palmeri often codominates. Associated species are sometimes many and include scattered Prosopis velutina shrubs and grasses and forbs such as Chenopodium berlandieri, Chloris virgata, Eragrostis cilianensis, Eragrostis pectinacea, Eriochloa acuminata, Ipomoea spp., Kallstroemia grandiflora, Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata (= Leptochloa filiformis), Salsola kali, and Solanum elaeagnifolium.

Dynamics:  This alliance occurs in old fields and along the edges of roads and fields. Sorghum halepense is kept out of agricultural fields with herbicides but can colonize after cultivation ceases. Sorghum halepense is considered to be one of the ten worst invasive weeds in the world (Holm et al. 1977).
Environmental Description:  Sites are typically flat to gently sloping basins and flats that may be intermittently flooded. Soils are variable but typically finer-textured silt loam or clays.
Geographic Range: This alliance is described from Arizona and New Mexico and is presumably widespread in agricultural regions of the southeastern U.S.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  AZ, MXCHH?, MXCOA, MXSON, NM, TX?


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D031 2.C.4.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nb.90 Western North American Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M301 2.C.4.Nb.90
Group 2.C.4.Nb.90.a Kentucky Bluegrass - Canadian Horseweed - Canada Thistle Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Group G524 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Alliance A2020 Johnson Grass Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance A2020 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Association CEGL005327 Carelessweed Ruderal Grassland CEGL005327 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Association CEGL005328 Johnson Grass - (Carelessweed) Ruderal Grassland CEGL005328 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.2020

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.E. Hall

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

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.
  • Holm, L. G., D. L. Plucknett, J. V. Pancho, and J. P. Herberger. 1977. The world''s worst weeds: Distribution and biology. University Press of Hawaii, Honolulu. 609 pp.