Print Report
A3137 Psorothamnus scoparius - Poliomintha incana - Rhus microphylla Desert Sand Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Stands have a sparse to dense cover of shrubs 1-2 m tall typically dominated by Psorothamnus scoparius, Poliomintha incana, or Rhus microphylla. These shrublands are described from sandy areas in the White Sands Missile Range in Tularosa Basin in south-central New Mexico. and are typically found on sandy plains and sand deposits in upland and basin sites.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Broom Smokebush - Frosted Mint - Littleleaf Sumac Desert Sand Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Broom Smokebush - Frosted Mint - Littleleaf Sumac Mixed Desert Sand Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Stands have a sparse to dense cover of shrubs 1-2 m tall shrubs typically dominated by Psorothamnus scoparius, Poliomintha incana, or Rhus microphylla. Other psammophilous shrubs may be present to dominant such as Atriplex canescens, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra trifurca, or Vanclevea stylosa. If Prosopis glandulosa or Artemisia filifolia is present, then cover is relatively low. The understory cover is variable, ranging from sparse to abundant psammophilous grasses such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Muhlenbergia pungens, and Sporobolus flexuosus. Shrublands in this Chihuahuan alliance occur in southern New Mexico, western and central Texas, and adjacent northern Mexico. They occur on in sandy plains and sand deposits in upland and basin sites. Elevation ranges from approximately 1200-1850 m. Climate is arid to semi-arid with most of the annual precipitation occurring during the late summer and fall, often as high-intensity convective storms. Stands are typically found on sandy sites and may help stabilize shifting sands and prevent blowouts.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These desert shrublands occur on sand substrates and are characterized by psammophilous shrubs such as Psorothamnus scoparius, Rhus microphylla, or Poliomintha incana. Other character species include Atriplex canescens, Ephedra torreyana, and Ephedra trifurca. If Prosopis glandulosa or Artemisia filifolia is present, then cover is relatively low. The understory is variable, ranging from sparse to abundant psammophilous grasses or forbs such as Sporobolus flexuosus and Dimorphocarpa wislizeni.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance may be dominated Psorothamnus scoparius, Poliomintha incana, or Rhus microphylla but these species do not codominate because they do not commonly grow in the same place. This desert sand scrub alliance may include additional associations dominated by Atriplex canescens, Ephedra torreyana, or Ephedra trifurca, which need further review. Stands dominated by Poliomintha incana occur on sandy sites sporadically in the Chihuahuan Desert and north into north-central New Mexico, and the Colorado Plateau in Arizona and Utah. These Colorado Plateau stands need further classification review as to their relationship to this Chihuahuan Desert alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation included in this alliance has a layer of xeromorphic deciduous shrubs that is less than 2 m tall. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse and dominated by perennial grasses, with scattered perennial forbs. Annual forbs and grasses are present seasonally.
Floristics: Stands have a sparse to dense cover of shrubs 1-2 m tall shrubs typically dominated by Psorothamnus scoparius, Poliomintha incana, or Rhus microphylla. Other psammophilous shrubs may be present to dominant such as Atriplex canescens, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra trifurca, or Vanclevea stylosa. If Prosopis glandulosa or Artemisia filifolia is present, then cover is relatively low. The understory cover is variable, ranging from sparse to abundant psammophilous grasses such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua hirsuta, Muhlenbergia pungens, and Sporobolus flexuosus. Forb cover is typically sparse with 1% canopy cover each of Pectis filipes and Croton spp. In sandy areas of the Chihuahuan Desert, stands are often found in disturbed sites near the edges of dunes. There stands have a sparse understory that may be dominated by annual forbs such as Chamaesyce parryi that are seasonally present to abundant in wet years and stands with an herbaceous layer dominated by perennial graminoids. Ruderal annual forbs, including Amaranthus spp., Dimorphocarpa wislizeni (= Dithyrea wislizeni), and the exotic Conyza canadensis, are common.
Dynamics: Large clumps of these shrubs help stabilize blowing sands. Oils in glands on leaves may make it unpalatable to livestock (Warnock 1974). Poliomintha incana is a sand-adapted species that avoids burial by shifting sands by rapidly growing its meristems (Bowers 1982).
Environmental Description: These shrublands occur on sandy plains and sand deposits in upland and basin sites. Elevation ranges from approximately 1200-1850 m. Climate is arid to semi-arid with most of the annual precipitation occurring during the late summer and fall, often as high-intensity convective storms. Stands are typically found on sandy sites and may help stabilize shifting sands and prevent blowouts. The soils are well-drained, deep to moderately deep sands. Biological soil crusts may be absent or provide sparse to moderate cover, up to 25% cover. Adjacent vegetation consists of sparse shrublands dominated by Artemisia filifolia, Ericameria nauseosa, or Prosopis glandulosa, woodlands dominated by Pinus edulis and Juniperus spp., or xeric grasslands dominated by Bouteloua and Sporobolus spp.
Geographic Range: Shrublands in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance occur in sandy plains and sand deposits from southern New Mexico, western and central Texas, and adjacent northern Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: MXCHH?, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899262
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.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.2 Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Mesquite species Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M086 | 3.A.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.2.c Sand Sagebrush - Broom Smokebush Sand Scrub Group | G287 | 3.A.2.Na.2.c |
| Alliance | A3137 Broom Smokebush - Frosted Mint - Littleleaf Sumac Desert Sand Scrub Alliance | A3137 | 3.A.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL001354 Littleleaf Sumac / Sideoats Grama Shrubland | CEGL001354 | 3.A.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL001695 Broom Smokebush / Mesa Dropseed Shrubland | CEGL001695 | 3.A.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL002672 Frosted Mint / Sandhill Muhly Shrubland | CEGL002672 | 3.A.2.Na.2.c |
Concept Lineage: Includes associations from two Old Alliance III.A.4.N.a. Psorothamnus scoparius Shrubland Alliance (A.837) and III.B.3.N.a. Rhus microphylla Shrubland Alliance (A.1040). May included additional desert sand site associations dominated by Atriplex canescens, Ephedra torreyana, or Ephedra trifurca,. Needs further review.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Poliomintha incana Alliance (Muldavin et al. 2000b)
> Poliomintha incana Series (Muldavin et al. 1998b)
> Rhus microphylla Alliance (Muldavin et al. 2000b)
> Rhus microphylla Series (Muldavin et al. 1998b)
> Bushmint-Sandsage Scrub (Dick-Peddie et al. 1984)
> Poliomintha incana Series (Muldavin et al. 1998b)
> Rhus microphylla Alliance (Muldavin et al. 2000b)
> Rhus microphylla Series (Muldavin et al. 1998b)
> Bushmint-Sandsage Scrub (Dick-Peddie et al. 1984)
- Bourgeron, P. S., L. D. Engelking, H. C. Humphries, E. Muldavin, and W. H. Moir. 1993b. Assessing the conservation value of the Gray Ranch: Rarity, diversity and representativeness. Unpublished report prepared for The Nature Conservancy by the Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. (Volume I and II).
- Bourgeron, P. S., L. D. Engelking, H. C. Humphries, E. Muldavin, and W. H. Moir. 1995a. Assessing the conservation value of the Gray Ranch: Rarity, diversity and representativeness. Desert Plants 11(2-3):3-68.
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