Print Report

A3243 Tiquilia hispidissima / Sporobolus nealleyi - Tidestromia carnosa Gypsum Outcrop & Alluvial Flat Desert Scrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This Chihuahuan Desert alliance is characterized by the presence of diagnostic gypsophilous species such as Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, or Tiquilia hispidissima associated with both primary gypsum outcrops and secondary (alluvial-deposited) gypsum that commonly occur as small patches in the bottoms of arid, alluvial basins.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hairy Crinklemat / Gyp Dropseed - Fleshy Honeysweet Gypsum Outcrop & Alluvial Flat Desert Scrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: Chihuahuan Desert Gypsum Outcrop & Alluvial Flat Desert Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Stands in this alliance are characterized by the presence of diagnostic gypsophilous species Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, or Tiquilia hispidissima. A sparse to moderately dense woody layer forms from dwarf-shrub Tiquilia hispidissima, or low cover of wide-ranging saline/alkaline-tolerant species such as Atriplex obovata, Fouquieria splendens, or Larrea tridentata. Other species include Sporobolus airoides. This alliance is associated with both primary gypsum outcrops and secondary (alluvial-deposited) gypsum that commonly occur as small patches in the bottoms of arid, alluvial basins at elevations ranging from 1070-1525 m, but occasionally extend up to 1980 m on hillslope outcrops of southerly aspects. Substrates are typically fine-textured, gypseous soil.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This Chihuahuan Desert alliance is characterized by the presence of gypsophilous indicator species such as Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, or Tiquilia hispidissima and is associated with both primary gypsum outcrops and secondary (alluvial-deposited) gypsum that commonly occur as small patches in the bottoms of arid, alluvial basins, but not gypsum dunes or sandsheets.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The eolian processes and sand substrate on gypsum dunes may be as important ecologically as the chemical properties of the gypsum parent material as seen by the presence of sand-loving plant species such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Andropogon hallii, Artemisia filifolia, Dalea lanata, Muhlenbergia pungens, and Psorothamnus scoparius on gypsum dunes. Because of this, alliances in this group were based on associations occurring on gypsum dune versus primary gypsum outcrop or secondary alluvial gypsum deposits. This alliance includes some stands with borderline sparse vegetation (~10% total cover). A few associations included in this alliance also occur outside the Chihuahuan Desert on gypsum sands in the Colorado Plateau (Francis 1986).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance has a sparse herbaceous layer of medium-tall, perennial grasses with short grasses or perennial forbs. Scattered shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may form a sparse to open woody layer.

Floristics: Vegetation in this alliance is characterized by the presence of diagnostic gypsophilous species Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Mentzelia perennis, Neolloydia conoidea, Pectis angustifolia, Sartwellia flaveriae, Selinocarpus lanceolatus, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, or Tiquilia hispidissima. Tiquilia hispidissima often forms a sparse to open dense dwarf-shrub layer. Sparse cover of other wide-ranging gypsum/alkaline/saline-tolerant shrubs may be present, such as Atriplex canescens, Atriplex obovata, Ephedra torreyana, Fouquieria splendens, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Larrea tridentata, Prosopis glandulosa, Suaeda mexicana, and Yucca torreyi. Other species include Sporobolus airoides.

Dynamics:  Tiquilia hispidissima is considered to be a gypsophilous species (Warnock 1974). However, many of the species in this alliance are facultatively gypsophilous, not obligate, and are found on other, usually harsh (saline or alkaline) substrates (Powell and Turner 1974). Sporobolus airoides is a widespread graminoid species able to tolerate moderately high alkalinity and salinity (USFS 1937).
Environmental Description:  This Chihuahuan Desert alliance is associated with both primary gypsum outcrops and secondary (alluvial-deposited) gypsum that commonly occur as small patches in the bottoms of arid, alluvial basins. This is a low-elevation type ranging from 1070 to 1525 m, but occasionally extending up to 1980 m on hillslope outcrops of southerly aspects. It is associated with hot and dry environments of gypsiorthid soils, and hence vegetation cover is usually sparse. Substrates are often fine-textured and include saline gypseous clays of the Aguja Formation.
Geographic Range: Stands included in this alliance are found in western Texas and south-central New Mexico. The alliance is also found in similar habitats in northern Mexico.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  MXCHH?, MXCOA, MXNLE?, MXSIN, MXZAC?, NM, 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.3 Black Grama - Bullgrass - Tobosa Grass Chihuahuan Semi-Desert Grassland Macrogroup M087 3.A.2.Na.3
Group 3.A.2.Na.3.b Hairy Crinklemat / Gypsum Grama - Gyp Dropseed Grassland Group G492 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Alliance A3243 Hairy Crinklemat / Gyp Dropseed - Fleshy Honeysweet Gypsum Outcrop & Alluvial Flat Desert Scrub Alliance A3243 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL001267 Creosotebush / Hairy Crinklemat Shrubland CEGL001267 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL001517 Ocotillo / Gyp Dropseed Shrub Grassland CEGL001517 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL001546 Hairy Crinklemat / Gyp Dropseed Dwarf-shrub Grassland CEGL001546 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL001698 Gyp Dropseed - Hartweg''s Sundrops Grassland CEGL001698 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003959 Hairy Crinklemat - Torrey''s Yucca / Gyp Dropseed Dwarf-shrub Grassland CEGL003959 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL004574 Hairy Crinklemat / Alkali Sacaton Dwarf-shrub Grassland CEGL004574 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL004575 Mound Saltbush / Fleshy Honeysweet Dwarf-shrubland CEGL004575 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL004580 Fleshy Honeysweet - Orange Caltrop Sparse Vegetation CEGL004580 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL004609 Gypsum Grama Sparse Vegetation CEGL004609 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL008425 Hairy Crinklemat Dwarf-shrubland CEGL008425 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Concept Lineage: This alliance includes most associations in Old Alliance IV.A.2.N.a. Tiquilia hispidissima Dwarf-shrubland Alliance (A.1101). and a few associations from each of the following III.A.5.N.a. Larrea tridentata Shrubland Alliance (A.851), IV.A.2.N.b. and Atriplex obovata Dwarf-shrubland Alliance (A.1108).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.
  • Francis, R. E. 1986. Phyto-edaphic communities of the Upper Rio Puerco Watershed, New Mexico. Research Paper RM-272. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 73 pp.
  • Muldavin, E., M. P. Moreno, J. Thomson, and P. Mehlhop. 1994b. A vegetation map for White Sands National Monument. Final report prepared for White Sands National Monument: Alamogordo, NM, by New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.
  • 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.
  • Neher, R. E., and O. F. Bailey. 1976. Soil survey of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, parts of Dona Ana, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra, and Socorro counties. USDA Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with U.S. Army and New Mexico Agriculture Experiment Station.
  • Powell, A. M., and B. L. Turner. 1974. Aspects of the plant biology of the gypsum outcrops of the Chihuahuan Desert. Pages 315-325 in: R. H. Wauer and D. H. Riskind, editors. Transactions of the Symposium on the Biological Resources of the Chihuahuan Desert region, United States and Mexico. USDI National Park Service, Washington, DC.
  • USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1937. Range plant handbook. Dover Publications Inc., New York. 816 pp.
  • Warnock, B. H. 1974. Wildflowers of the Guadalupe Mountains and the Sand Dune Country, Texas. Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX.