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A3146 Cylindropuntia bigelovii Cacti Scrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This southern Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert scrub alliance is dominated by Cylindropuntia bigelovii with Larrea tridentata and Encelia farinosa are very common associates and occurs on well-drained soils of alluvial fans, upper bajadas and rocky upland slopes.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Teddy-bear Cholla Cacti Scrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: Teddy-bear Cholla Cacti Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Stands of this desert alliance mainly occur in the southern Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. The vegetation is dominated by Cylindropuntia bigelovii. Larrea tridentata and Encelia farinosa are very common associates. Other shrubs present may include Ambrosia dumosa, Bebbia juncea, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Cylindropuntia echinocarpa, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Fouquieria splendens, Hyptis emoryi, and Yucca schidigera. Perennial graminoid, Pleuraphis rigida, is also common in some stands. Annuals are seasonally present. Stands are found on well-drained soils of alluvial fans, upper bajadas and rocky upland slopes up to 1500 m elevation. Soils are coarse sands to loams.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Mixed low shrublands where Cylindropuntia bigelovii predominant (>50% relative cover) species (Sawyer et al. 2009).

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Many classifications list areas of dense Cylindropuntia bigelovii as a part of the Larrea tridentata Shrubland Alliance which makes placement in this ecological group as this is more of a Sonoran Desert element.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This succulent, extremely xeromorphic, evergreen shrubland forms an intermittent to continuous canopy less than 2 m in height. The herbaceous layer is variable, with annuals seasonally present.

Floristics: This shrubland of the arid southwest is dominated by Cylindropuntia bigelovii (= Opuntia bigelovii). Larrea tridentata and Encelia farinosa are very common associates. Other shrubs present may include Ambrosia dumosa, Bebbia juncea, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Cylindropuntia echinocarpa, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Fouquieria splendens, Hyptis emoryi, and Yucca schidigera (Sawyer et al. 2009). Perennial graminoid, Pleuraphis rigida (= Hilaria rigida), is also common in some stands. Annuals are seasonally present.

Dynamics:  This diagnostic species Cylindropuntia bigelovii is adapted to extended droughts and extreme heat stress this is common for this desert alliance.
Environmental Description:  This succulent shrubland occurs in southern Mojave and Colorado deserts. Stands grow on well-drained soils of alluvial fans, upper bajadas and rocky upland slopes (Sawyer et al. 2009). Annual precipitation in these deserts is very low, averaging less than 25 cm. Summer temperatures often exceed 30°C. Stands of this alliance are found from sea level to 1500 m elevation. Soils are coarse sands to loams.
Geographic Range: Stands of this desert alliance occur in the southern Mojave Desert, the Colorado Desert and occasional in moisture portions of the Sonoran Desert.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, NV


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup M088 3.A.2.Na.4
Group 3.A.2.Na.4.b Creosotebush - Burrobush - Brittlebush Desert Scrub Group G295 3.A.2.Na.4.b
Alliance A3146 Teddy-bear Cholla Cacti Scrub Alliance A3146 3.A.2.Na.4.b
Association CEGL003065 Teddy-bear Cholla Shrubland CEGL003065 3.A.2.Na.4.b
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.877

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Teddy bear cholla patches) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.050.00]
= Cylindropuntia bigelovii Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [33.050.00]
= Cylindropuntia bigelovii Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2012)
= Cylindropuntia bigelovii Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
>< Sonoran Creosote Bush Scrub (#33100) (Holland 1986b)
= Teddy bear cholla series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
Concept Author(s): J.O. Sawyer, T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens (2009)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: M. Schindel

Version Date: 12-19-14
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