Print Report

A3191 Acacia rigidula - Leucophyllum frutescens - Acacia berlandieri Tamaulipan Calcareous Thornscrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance, characterized by Acacia rigidula, Leucophyllum frutescens, Acacia berlandieri, and a diverse array of other thorn shrubs, typically occupies xeric, rocky uplands on shallow soils over a variety of substrates, ranging from the outer Gulf Coastal Plain in south Texas to the Trans Pecos and Stockton Plateau regions and to Mexico.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Blackbrush Acacia - Texas Barometerbush - Guajillo Tamaulipan Calcareous Thornscrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: Tamaulipan Calcareous Thornscrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: The shrub layer may be heavily dominated by Acacia rigidula, Leucophyllum frutescens, and/or Acacia berlandieri, but a diverse array of shrubs is commonly present. A number of species of small cacti and other succulents may also be present in some occurrences. Composition varies with soils, slope, and past land use. Soils are shallow and include a variety of textures, pH, and salinity. This alliance comprises low-statured shrublands, sometimes with an emergent canopy of taller shrubs and small trees. Shrubland associations in this alliance often occur intermixed with each other and with grasslands. This shrubland alliance typically occupies xeric, rocky uplands on shallow soils over a variety of substrates, ranging from the outer Gulf Coastal Plain in south Texas to the Trans Pecos and Stockton Plateau regions and to Mexico.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Located in Tamaulipan region or nearby, characterized by Acacia rigidula, Leucophyllum frutescens, and/or Acacia berlandieri and a diversity of other shrubs.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance is a heterogeneous group of associations ranging from the outer Gulf Coastal Plain in south Texas, to the Trans Pecos and Stockton Plateau regions, to Mexico. In addition, there may be undescribed associations related to this alliance and some associations may require splitting. The alliance itself may require splitting. More information is needed to flesh out detailed floristic, environment, and range. This alliance includes ecological system ~Tamaulipan Calcareous Thornscrub (CES301.986)$$ as described and mapped as part of the Texas ecological system mapping project (Elliott 2011). Classification of this vegetation is complicated by the difficulty in discerning dominance patterns. Johnston (1952) collected vegetation data from xeric shrublands in this region and he concluded that no clear patterns of dominance could be correlated with different habitats; these shrublands all seem to intergrade.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance comprises low-statured shrublands, sometimes with an emergent canopy of taller shrubs and small trees. Shrubland associations in this alliance often occur intermixed with each other and with grasslands.

Floristics: This alliance includes deciduous shrublands characterized by Acacia berlandieri, Acacia rigidula, and/or Leucophyllum frutescens. Composition varies with soils, slope, and past land use. Associated shrubs can include Acacia berlandieri, Acacia rigidula, Acacia schaffneri, Aloysia gratissima, Bernardia myricifolia, Calliandra conferta, Castela erecta ssp. texana, Castela erecta ssp. texana, Celtis ehrenbergiana (= Celtis pallida), Citharexylum brachyanthum, Colubrina texensis, Condalia hookeri, Condalia spathulata, Condalia spathulata, Croton humilis, Diospyros texana, Eysenhardtia texana, Forestiera angustifolia, Frankenia johnstonii, Guaiacum angustifolium, Hechtia glomerata, Hechtia glomerata, Isocoma coronopifolia, Jatropha dioica, Jatropha dioica, Jatropha dioica, Karwinskia humboldtiana, Karwinskia humboldtiana, Krameria ramosissima, Krameria ramosissima, Lantana achyranthifolia (= Lantana macropoda), Lantana urticoides (= Lantana horrida), Mandevilla macrosiphon (= Macrosiphonia macrosiphon), Mahonia trifoliolata (= Berberis trifoliolata), Malpighia glabra, Melochia tomentosa, Prosopis glandulosa, Prosopis reptans, Randia rhagocarpa, Sideroxylon celastrinum (= Bumelia celastrina), Tiquilia canescens, Varilla texana, Viguiera stenoloba, Waltheria indica, Yucca treculeana, Zanthoxylum fagara, Ziziphus obtusifolia var. obtusifolia, and Ziziphus obtusifolia var. obtusifolia. Herbaceous components, typically sparse in dense shrublands but more common in more open canopies, may include Aristida purpurea, Billieturnera helleri, Bothriochloa barbinodis, Bothriochloa laguroides, Bothriochloa longipaniculata, Bouteloua rigidiseta, Bouteloua trifida, Bouteloua dactyloides (= Buchloe dactyloides), Chamaesyce albomarginata, Trichloris pluriflora (= Chloris pluriflora), Clappia suaedifolia, Hilaria belangeri, Leersia monandra, Nassella leucotricha, Polygala glandulosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Setaria leucopila, Sporobolus compositus var. compositus, and Sporobolus pyramidatus. A number of species of small cacti and other succulents may also be present in some occurrences.

Dynamics:  More information is needed to better describe the dynamics for this vegetation. Fire, climate, and edaphic factors all likely played a role historically in maintaining this vegetation. Loss of these natural processes may have resulted in a shift toward a more closed canopy, increase in successional woody species, and decrease in native grass cover.
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs in a wide range of dry to xeric environments on a variety of soil textures, pH and salinity, including inland saline and gypseous soils; shallow, droughty, fine sandy loam soils over caliche; shallow limestone soils; nearly level to undulating terraces between gravelly, fossiliferous slopes; rocky slopes; and disturbed areas. Bare soil may be exposed during dry periods.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Tamaulipan region and nearby areas of Texas and adjacent Mexico.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  MXCOA, MXNLE, MXTAM, TX


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.1 Honey Mesquite - Spiny Hackberry / Multi-flower Rhodesgrass Tamaulipan Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup M130 3.A.2.Na.1
Group 3.A.2.Na.1.a Honey Mesquite - Spiny Hackberry - Texas Barometerbush Thornscrub Group G099 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Alliance A3191 Blackbrush Acacia - Texas Barometerbush - Guajillo Tamaulipan Calcareous Thornscrub Alliance A3191 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL002168 Texas Barometerbush Shrubland CEGL002168 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL002181 Guajillo South Texas Plains Shrubland CEGL002181 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL003874 Blackbrush Acacia Shrubland CEGL003874 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL004923 Barreta - Blackbrush Acacia - Texas Ebony - Texas Barometerbush Shrubland CEGL004923 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL007758 Guajillo Stockton Plateau Shrubland CEGL007758 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL007759 Blackbrush Acacia - Texas Barometerbush - Guajillo Shrubland CEGL007759 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL007760 Blackbrush Acacia - Texas Barometerbush - Guapilla Shrubland CEGL007760 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL007763 Saladillo - Texan Goatbush - Common Goldenbush / Curly-mesquite Shrubland CEGL007763 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL007789 Texas Barometerbush - Shrubby Blue Sage - Mexican Oregano Shrubland CEGL007789 3.A.2.Na.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Blackbrush Series (Diamond 1993)
? Ceniza Series (Diamond 1993)
? Guajillo Series (Diamond 1993)
? matorral de Leucophyllum frutescens ("cenizo") (Rzedowski 1981)
Concept Author(s): D.D. Diamond (1993)

Author of Description: J. Teague

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • Clover, E. U. 1937. Vegetational survey of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Madrono 4:41-55, 77-100.
  • Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
  • Elliott, L. 2011. Draft descriptions of systems, mapping subsystems, and vegetation types for Phases I, II, III, and IV. Unpublished documents. Texas Parks and Wildlife Ecological Systems Classification and Mapping Project. Texas Natural History Survey, The Nature Conservancy of Texas, San Antonio.
  • 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.
  • Johnston, M. C. 1952. Vegetation of eastern Cameron County, Texas. M.S. thesis, University of Texas, Austin. 127 pp.
  • Rzedowski, J. 1981. Vegetaciòn de México. Editorial Limusa, Mexico City, Mexico. 432 pp.