Print Report
A3255 Cardaria draba - Centaurea spp. - Lepidium latifolium Ruderal Perennial Forb Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This cool, semi-arid interior western U.S. ruderal herbaceous alliance is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by invasive, exotic perennial forbs such as Acroptilon repens, Cardaria draba, Centaurea calcitrapa, Centaurea diffusa, Centaurea iberica, Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos, Centaurea virgata, Euphorbia esula, Hypericum perforatum, Lepidium latifolium, Linaria dalmatica, Linaria vulgaris, or Peganum harmala and occurs in disturbed dry to mesic basins, alluvial fans, and foothills at elevations up to 2200 m.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Whitetop - Knapweed species - Broadleaf Pepperweed Ruderal Perennial Forb Alliance
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Perennial Forb Meadow & Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This interior western U.S. ruderal perennial herbaceous alliance is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by invasive, exotic perennial forbs such as Acroptilon repens, Cardaria draba, Centaurea calcitrapa, Centaurea diffusa, Centaurea iberica, Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos, Centaurea virgata, Euphorbia esula, Hypericum perforatum, Lepidium latifolium, Linaria dalmatica, Linaria vulgaris, Peganum harmala, or a mixture of other exotic perennial forbs. Stands occur in disturbed dry to mesic basins, alluvial fans, and foothills at elevations up to 2200 m throughout the cool, semi-arid intermountain western U.S. region. It is an early-successional type that may occur in areas disturbed by fire, grazing or mining.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This disturbed ruderal herbaceous alliance is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by invasive, exotic perennial forb species such as Acroptilon repens, Cardaria draba, Centaurea calcitrapa, Centaurea diffusa, Centaurea iberica, Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos, Centaurea virgata, Euphorbia esula, Hypericum perforatum, Lepidium latifolium, Linaria dalmatica, Linaria vulgaris, Peganum harmala, or a mixture of other exotic perennial forbs.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This ruderal alliance is characterized by sparse to dense herbaceous layer dominated by annual forbs with low cover of shrubs or perennial graminoids and forbs (<5% absolute cover).
Floristics: This interior western U.S. ruderal perennial herbaceous alliance is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by invasive, exotic perennial forbs such as Acroptilon repens, Cardaria draba, Centaurea calcitrapa, Centaurea diffusa, Centaurea iberica, Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos, Centaurea virgata, Euphorbia esula, Hypericum perforatum, Lepidium latifolium, Linaria dalmatica, Linaria vulgaris, Peganum harmala, or a mixture of other exotic perennial forbs.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This ruderal perennial herbaceous alliance occurs in the interior western U.S. Stands occur in disturbed dry to mesic basins, alluvial fans, and foothills at elevations up to 2200 m throughout the cool, semi-arid intermountain western U.S. region. It is an early-successional type that may occur in areas disturbed by fire, grazing or mining.
Geographic Range: This ruderal herbaceous alliance occurs in lowland and foothill sites throughout the cool, interior western U.S.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899379
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S11 | 3.B |
| Formation | 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F033 | 3.B.1 |
| Division | 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D040 | 3.B.1.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 3.B.1.Ne.90 Crested Wheatgrass - Cheatgrass - Tall Tumblemustard Western North American Ruderal Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M499 | 3.B.1.Ne.90 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a Great Basin-Intermountain Ruderal Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G600 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Alliance | A3255 Whitetop - Knapweed species - Broadleaf Pepperweed Ruderal Perennial Forb Alliance | A3255 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Lepidium latifolium (Perennial pepper weed patches) Semi-natural Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [52.205.00]
> Lepidium latifolium Semi-Natural Stands (Perennial pepper weed patches) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
> Lepidium latifolium Semi-Natural Stands (Perennial pepper weed patches) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
- Buck-Diaz, J., S. Batiuk, and J. M. Evens. 2012. Vegetation alliances and associations of the Great Valley ecoregion, California. California Native Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://cnps.org/cnps/vegetation/pdf/great_valley_eco-vegclass2012.pdf]
- 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.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Sproul, F., T. Keeler-Wolf, P. Gordon-Reedy, J. Dunn, A. Klein, and K. Harper. 2011. Vegetation classification manual for western San Diego County. AECOM, California Department of Fish and Game, San Diego Area Governments.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1937. Range plant handbook. Dover Publications Inc., New York. 816 pp.
- Whitson, T. D., L. C. Burrill, S. A. Dewey, D. W. Cudney, B. E. Nelson, R. D. Lee, R. Parker. 2000. Weeds of the West. The Western Society of Weed Science in cooperation with the Western United States Land Grant Universities, Cooperative Extension Services. University of Wyoming, Laramie. 630 pp.