Print Report
A3167 Fouquieria splendens - Calliandra eriophylla - Parthenium incanum Desert Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This Fouquieria splendens-dominated open desert scrub alliance occurs in the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts on piedmont, foothills and mountain canyons, often in areas with rock outcroppings, boulders, and loose rocks. Soils are coarse and shallow.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ocotillo - Fairy Duster - Mariola Desert Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Chihuahuan-Sonoran Ocotillo - Fairy Duster- Mariola Mixed Desert Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This desert scrub alliance is reported form the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts. Stands have an open shrub layer dominated by diagnostic shrub Fouquieria splendens often with low cover or without typically dominant diagnostic desert shrubs such as Atriplex canescens, Acacia spp., Larrea tridentata, Parkinsonia microphylla, Prosopis glandulosa, and Prosopis velutina. Other frequent shrubs include Calliandra eriophylla, Dasylirion wheeleri, Krameria erecta, and Mimosa dysocarpa, and cacti such as Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Mammillaria grahamii, Cylindropuntia imbricata, Opuntia engelmannii, Opuntia phaeacantha, and Cylindropuntia versicolor. In the Chihuahuan Desert, shrub associates include Aloysia wrightii, Cercocarpus montanus (higher elevation), Dalea formosa, and Parthenium incanum. A typically sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer may be present and characterized by Aristida ternipes, Bothriochloa barbinodis, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua ramosa, Bouteloua repens, Setaria macrostachya, and Tridens muticus. Other common species include Evolvulus arizonicus, Gutierrezia microcephala, Janusia gracilis, Petrophytum caespitosum, and Phemeranthus aurantiacus. These open desert shrublands occur on piedmont, foothills and mountain canyons usually occur below 1525 m elevation, but extend up to 2000 m elevation, usually above the Larrea tridentata-dominated desert scrub plains, and grading into the semi-desert grasslands above. It is found on various desert habitats, often in areas with rock outcroppings, boulders, and loose rocks. Soils are shallow, lithic, coarse-textured loams or clay loams. Parent materials include limestone and rhyolite. Ground cover is dominated by gravel and rock.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands included in this alliance have a shrub layer dominated by diagnostic shrub Fouquieria splendens, often with Calliandra eriophylla and with typical dominant diagnostic shrubs such as Atriplex canescens, Acacia spp., Larrea tridentata, Parkinsonia microphylla, Prosopis glandulosa, and Prosopis velutina absent or with low cover. In the Chihuahuan Desert, associates include Aloysia wrightii, Cercocarpus montanus (higher elevation), Dalea formosa, Dasylirion wheeleri, Parthenium incanum, Petrophytum caespitosum, and cacti such as Echinocereus triglochidiatus and Opuntia phaeacantha.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is poorly defined and needs more classification work. Added dominant species in name, but this will need further review.
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 of this alliance have an open shrub layer dominated by diagnostic shrub Fouquieria splendens often with low cover or with typically dominant desert shrubs such as Atriplex canescens, Acacia spp., Larrea tridentata, Parkinsonia microphylla, Prosopis glandulosa, and Prosopis velutina. Other frequent shrubs include Calliandra eriophylla, Dasylirion wheeleri, Krameria erecta, and Mimosa dysocarpa, and cacti such as Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Mammillaria grahamii, Cylindropuntia imbricata (= Opuntia imbricata), Opuntia engelmannii, Opuntia phaeacantha, and Cylindropuntia versicolor (= Opuntia versicolor). In the Chihuahuan Desert, shrub associates include Aloysia wrightii, Cercocarpus montanus (higher elevation), Dalea formosa, and Parthenium incanum. A typically sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer may be present and characterized by Aristida ternipes, Bothriochloa barbinodis, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua ramosa, Bouteloua repens, Setaria macrostachya, and Tridens muticus. Other common species include Evolvulus arizonicus, Gutierrezia microcephala, Janusia gracilis, Petrophytum caespitosum, and Phemeranthus aurantiacus (= Talinum aurantiacum).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This desert scrub alliance is reported from the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts. These open desert shrublands occur on piedmont, foothills and mountain canyons usually occur below 1525 m elevation, but extend up to 2000 m elevation, usually above the Larrea tridentata-dominated desert scrub plains, and grading into the semi-desert grasslands above. It is found on various desert habitats, often in areas with rock outcroppings, boulders, and loose rocks. Soils are shallow, lithic, coarse-textured loams or clay loams. Parent materials include limestone and rhyolite. Ground cover is dominated by gravel and rock.
Geographic Range: Stands of this alliance occur in the Chihuahuan Desert in Trans-Pecos Texas, southern New Mexico, and southern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. It is also found in the adjacent Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora, and likely occurs in Durango and Zacatecas.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: AZ, MXCHH, MXDUR?, MXSON, MXZAC?, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899292
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.a Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Viscid Acacia Chihuahuan Mixed Desert Scrub Group | G288 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A3167 Ocotillo - Fairy Duster - Mariola Desert Scrub Alliance | A3167 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL005334 Ocotillo - Fairy Duster Shrubland | CEGL005334 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL005335 Ocotillo - Velvet Mesquite Shrubland | CEGL005335 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: Old Alliance III.A.5.N.a. Fouquieria splendens Shrubland Alliance (A.863), in part, 1 association
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Brown, D. E., editor. 1982a. Biotic communities of the American Southwest-United States and Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 4(1-4):1-342.
- 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.
- McMahan, C. A., R. G. Frye, and K. L. Brown. 1984. The vegetation types of Texas including cropland. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin. 40 pp. plus map.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, and G. Harper. 2000b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico: Volume I. Handbook of vegetation communities. Final report to Environmental Directorate, White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 195 pp. plus appendices
- Muldavin, E., and P. Mehlhop. 1992. A preliminary classification and test vegetation map for White Sands Missile Range and San Andreas National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. University of New Mexico, New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.
- Rzedowski, J. 1981. Vegetaciòn de México. Editorial Limusa, Mexico City, Mexico. 432 pp.
- Tamsitt, J. R. 1954. The mammals of two areas in the Big Bend region of Trans-Pecos Texas. Texas Journal of Science 6:33-61.