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A2687 Eragrostis lehmanniana - Eragrostis curvula Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This desert grassland/steppe alliance occurs in southeastern Arizona and is characterized by dominance or codominance of Eragrostis lehmanniana, an introduced perennial forage grass.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lehmann''s Lovegrass - Weeping Lovegrass Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Lovegrass Desert Grassland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This semi-natural grassland is characterized by dominance or codominance of Eragrostis lehmanniana, an introduced perennial forage grass seeded and now naturalized throughout much of southern Arizona. This alliance is also variable in composition and cover and is defined by having 25% or more cover of Eragrostis lehmanniana or over a third of the total perennial graminoid cover for stands with a sparser herbaceous layer. Eragrostis lehmanniana also strongly dominates many stands with few native species remaining. Scattered shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present, typically totaling less 10% cover, but this alliance includes stands with up to 15% cover of the tall shrub Prosopis velutina. Other woody species may include Calliandra eriophylla, Gutierrezia sarothrae, or Isocoma tenuisecta. Gutierrezia microcephala is abundant in some stands. Remnant desert grasses include Aristida ternipes, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua rothrockii, Digitaria californica, and Eragrostis intermedia. Other common herbaceous species include Allionia incarnata, Ambrosia confertiflora, Boerhavia erecta, Mollugo verticillata, Cylindropuntia versicolor, Panicum hirticaule, Polygala barbeyana, Proboscidea parviflora, and Phemeranthus aurantiacus. This desert grassland/steppe alliance occurs in southeastern Arizona on alluvial fans, ridges, hills and valley floors. The elevation range is 960-1100 m (3150-3600 feet). Sites occur on gentle to moderate slopes. Substrates are variable but are often well-drained sandy loam.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Naturalized stands are defined by having 25% or more cover of Eragrostis lehmanniana or over a third of the total perennial graminoid cover for stands with a sparser herbaceous layer.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This grassland alliance replaces native desert grasslands where Eragrostis lehmanniana was planted and/or naturalized.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by the dominance of a non-native perennial forage grass in association with other perennial grasses. The overall structure is shrub-steppe with scattered shrubs occurring throughout the community, but at typically less than 10% cover.

Floristics: This semi-natural grassland is characterized by dominance or codominance of Eragrostis lehmanniana, an introduced perennial forage grass seeded and now naturalized throughout much of southern Arizona. This association is also variable in composition and cover and is defined by having 25% or more cover of Eragrostis lehmanniana or over a third of the total perennial graminoid cover for stands with a sparser herbaceous layer. Eragrostis lehmanniana also strongly dominates many stands with few native species remaining. Scattered shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present typically totaling less 10% cover, but this alliance includes stands with up to 15% cover of the tall shrub Prosopis velutina. Other woody species may include Calliandra eriophylla, Gutierrezia sarothrae, or Isocoma tenuisecta. Gutierrezia microcephala is abundant in some stands. Remnant desert grasses include Aristida ternipes, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua rothrockii, Digitaria californica, and Eragrostis intermedia. Other common herbaceous species include Allionia incarnata, Ambrosia confertiflora, Boerhavia erecta, Mollugo verticillata, Cylindropuntia versicolor (= Opuntia versicolor), Panicum hirticaule, Polygala barbeyana, Proboscidea parviflora, and Phemeranthus aurantiacus (= Talinum aurantiacum).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This desert grassland/steppe alliance occurs in southeastern Arizona on alluvial fans, ridges, hills and valley floors. The elevation range is 960-1100 m (3150-3600 feet). Sites occur on gentle to moderate slopes. Substrates are variable but are often well-drained sandy loam.
Geographic Range: This desert grassland/steppe alliance occurs in southern Arizona and possibly New Mexico in areas that were formerly mixed desert grasslands.

Nations: MX?,US

States/Provinces:  AZ, MXSON?, NM?


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class C03 3
Subclass 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass S06 3.A
Formation 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation F015 3.A.2
Division 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division D039 3.A.2.Na
Macrogroup 3.A.2.Na.90 Honey Mesquite / Red Brome - Lehmann''s Lovegrass Desert Ruderal Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup M512 3.A.2.Na.90
Group 3.A.2.Na.90.a Lehmann''s Lovegrass - Red Brome - Asian Mustard Warm Desert Ruderal Grassland Group G677 3.A.2.Na.90.a
Alliance A2687 Lehmann''s Lovegrass - Weeping Lovegrass Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance A2687 3.A.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005331 Fairy Duster / Lehmann''s Lovegrass Ruderal Shrubland CEGL005331 3.A.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005332 Lehmann''s Lovegrass Ruderal Grassland CEGL005332 3.A.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005333 Lehmann''s Lovegrass Ruderal Shrub Grassland CEGL005333 3.A.2.Na.90.a
Association CEGL005337 Giant Panicgrass Ruderal Grassland CEGL005337 3.A.2.Na.90.a
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.2687

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.