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A3159 Fouquieria splendens Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert open succulent scrub alliance are characterized by a wide variety of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs and succulents, of which Fouquieria splendens is a conspicuous dominant. Stands typically occur on steep (20-50%), rocky, limestone slopes of interior mountain canyons and escarpments at elevations of 1420 to 2010 m.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ocotillo Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Chihuahuan Desert Ocotillo Succulent Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert open succulent scrub alliance are characterized by a wide variety of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs and succulents, of which Fouquieria splendens is a conspicuous dominant. Parthenium incanum, Cercocarpus montanus (at higher elevation), or other Chihuahuan Desert scrub or succulent species such as Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia macrocentra, Dasylirion wheeleri, Acacia neovernicosa, and Viguiera stenoloba often present to codominant. Grass cover typically is less than 5% and seldom exceeds 10% cover. The most common grasses are Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, and Muhlenbergia porteri. Forbs are moderately diverse and scattered. Petrophytum caespitosum is a characteristic species in the herb layer, growing among the cracks in the limestone bedrock. Stands typically occur on steep (20-50%), rocky, limestone slopes of interior mountain canyons and escarpments at elevations of 1420 to 2010 m. Aspects are predominantly southerly. It also can extend downslope onto upper alluvial fan piedmonts.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands in this open succulent scrub are characterized by the dominance of wide-ranging desert species Fouquieria splendens with diagnostic Chihuahuan Desert indicator species such as Parthenium incanum or Petrophytum caespitosum.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance needs additional review and incorporation of associations described by Natural Heritage of New Mexico.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance has a sparse to moderately dense woody layer that is dominated by broad-leaved and microphyllous evergreen xeromorphic shrubs. The sparse herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids, if present.
Floristics: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance is open succulent scrub is characterized by a wide variety of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs and succulents, of which Fouquieria splendens is a conspicuous dominant. Parthenium incanum, Cercocarpus montanus (at higher elevation), or other Chihuahuan Desert scrub or succulent species such as Acacia neovernicosa, Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (= Opuntia leptocaulis), Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia macrocentra, Dasylirion wheeleri, Viguiera stenoloba are often present to codominant. Grass cover typically is less than 5% and seldom exceeds 10% cover. The most common grasses are Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, and Muhlenbergia porteri. Forbs are moderately diverse and scattered. Petrophytum caespitosum is a characteristic species in the herb layer, growing among the cracks in the limestone bedrock.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance typically occur on steep (20-50%), rocky, limestone slopes of interior mountain canyons and escarpments at elevations of 1420 to 2010 m. Aspects are predominantly southerly. It also can extend downslope onto upper alluvial fan piedmonts. Parent materials include limestone and rhyolite. Soils are shallow, lithic, coarse-textured, loams or clay loams. Ground cover is dominated by gravel and rock.
Geographic Range: This major alliance is scattered throughout the mountain ranges of White Sands Missile Range including San Andres Mountains (Sheep Mountain and Big Gyp Mountain) and the Sierra Oscura in southern New Mexico. It is also known from the Guadelupe Mountains and occurs throughout the Chihuahuan Desert in rock outcrops habitat.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899284
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 | A3159 Ocotillo Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Alliance | A3159 | 3.A.2.Na.2.d |
| Association | CEGL001378 Ocotillo / Mariola Shrubland | CEGL001378 | 3.A.2.Na.2.d |
| Association | CEGL001379 Ocotillo / Tufted Rockmat Shrubland | CEGL001379 | 3.A.2.Na.2.d |
Concept Lineage: Old Alliance III.A.5.N.a. Fouquieria splendens Shrubland Alliance (A.863), in part, Chihuahuan Desert association only.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Fouquieria splendens-mixed scrub Association (153.261) (Brown 1982a) [included within Chihuahuan Desertscrub, Mixed Scrub Series.]
= Ocotillo Shrubland Alliance (Wood et al. 1999)
= Ocotillo Shrubland Alliance (Muldavin et al. 2000b)
= Ocotillo Shrubland Alliance (Muldavin et al. 2003a)
= Yucca-Ocotillo (McMahan et al. 1984) [may be equivalent.]
= Ocotillo Shrubland Alliance (Wood et al. 1999)
= Ocotillo Shrubland Alliance (Muldavin et al. 2000b)
= Ocotillo Shrubland Alliance (Muldavin et al. 2003a)
= Yucca-Ocotillo (McMahan et al. 1984) [may be equivalent.]
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- 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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