Print Report
A3157 Agave lechuguilla - Euphorbia antisyphilitica Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This open Chihuahuan Desert succulent scrub alliance is characterized by a wide variety of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs and succulents, of which Agave lechuguilla or Euphorbia antisyphilitica are conspicuous dominants. Scattered Larrea tridentata, Acacia constricta, Acacia neovernicosa, or Parthenium incanum are often present to codominant.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lechuguilla - Candelilla Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance are characterized by an open succulent scrub is characterized by a wide variety of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs and succulents, of which Agave lechuguilla or Euphorbia antisyphilitica are conspicuous dominants. Scattered Larrea tridentata, Acacia constricta, Acacia neovernicosa, or Parthenium incanum are often present to codominant. The grass cover typically is low and seldom exceeds 10% cover. The most common grasses are Bouteloua ramosa, Bouteloua eriopoda, and Muhlenbergia porteri. Forbs are moderately diverse and scattered. Stands typically occur on flat to gentle slopes, often rocky with shallow soils.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Agave lechuguilla or Euphorbia antisyphilitica are diagnostic succulents in the succulent-characterized scrub. Other desert scrub species such as Larrea tridentata are present with low cover. Herbaceous cover is low and with Chihuahuan Desert indicator species such as Bouteloua eriopoda and Muhlenbergia porteri typically present.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance needs more classification review. The USNVC associations previously attributed to it were Agave lechuguilla types that had relatively high grass cover and were moved to a desert grassland group. Component plant associations from NHNM need to be reviewed and brought into the NVC for this alliance. For example, Muldavin et al. (2003) described Fouquieria splendens - Agave lechuguilla PA and Parthenium incanum - Agave lechuguilla PA that need review and possible inclusion in this alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation included in this alliance has a sparse to moderately dense layer of cacti and rosette succulent (Agave, Yucca) less than 2 m tall. If present, vegetation may include a sparse cover of shrubs, dwarf-shrubs, annual and perennial forbs and grasses.
Floristics: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert open succulent scrub is characterized by a wide variety of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs and succulents, of which Agave lechuguilla or Euphorbia antisyphilitica are conspicuous dominants. Scattered Larrea tridentata, Acacia constricta, Acacia neovernicosa, or Parthenium incanum are often present to codominant. The grass cover typically is low and seldom exceeds 10% cover. The most common grasses are Bouteloua ramosa, Bouteloua eriopoda, and Muhlenbergia porteri. Forbs are moderately diverse and scattered.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance typically occur on flat to gentle slopes, often rocky with shallow soils.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in Trans-Pecos of western Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico, extending west into southern New Mexico and likely throughout the Chihuahuan Desert region.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: MXCHH, MXCOA, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899282
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.d Lechuguilla - Candelilla - Cactus-apple Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Group | G286 | 3.A.2.Na.2.d |
| Alliance | A3157 Lechuguilla - Candelilla Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Alliance | A3157 | 3.A.2.Na.2.d |
| Association | CEGL004564 Creosotebush - Candelilla Shrubland | CEGL004564 | 3.A.2.Na.2.d |
Concept Lineage: Old Alliance III.A.5.N.a. Larrea tridentata Shrubland Alliance (A.851). in part, one association
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Larrea tridentata - Euphorbia antisyphilitica PA (Wood et al. 1999)
? Chihuahuan Desertscrub, Creosotebush-Tarbush Series (153.21) (Brown 1982a)
= Creosotebush-Lechuguilla-Candelilla (Leopold and Krausman 1988)
? Chihuahuan Desertscrub, Creosotebush-Tarbush Series (153.21) (Brown 1982a)
= Creosotebush-Lechuguilla-Candelilla (Leopold and Krausman 1988)
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