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A3283 Simmondsia chinensis - Canotia holacantha - Eriogonum fasciculatum Desert Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This desert scrub alliance is reported along the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert in an elevational band along the lower slopes of the Mogollon Rim/Central Highlands region and in Perris Valley and Cahuilla Mountains in southern California. Stands are dominated by Simmondsia chinensis or Canotia holacantha with Carnegiea gigantea and Parkinsonia microphylla absent or with low cover.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Jojoba - Crucifixion-thorn - Eastern Mojave Buckwheat Desert Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Jojoba - Crucifixion-thorn - Eastern Mojave Buckwheat Desert Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This Sonoran Desert scrub alliance is reported along the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert in an elevational band along the lower slopes of the Mogollon Rim/Central Highlands region and in Perris Valley and Cahuilla Mountains in southern California. This desert scrub alliance is dominated by taller Canotia holacantha or Simmondsia chinensis with Ambrosia deltoidea, Larrea tridentata, Ericameria linearifolia, or Eriogonum fasciculatum present to codominant. In Arizona frost-sensitive species such as Carnegiea gigantea, Ferocactus sp., Olneya tesota, Cylindropuntia bigelovii, and Prosopis spp. are absent or have low cover. In California, this alliance is generally characterized by Simmondsia chinensis as dominant or codominant in the shrub canopy, with Artemisia californica, Echinocereus engelmannii, Encelia actonii, Encelia farinosa, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lotus scoparius, Opuntia basilaris, Cylindropuntia californica, Rhus ovata, Salvia mellifera, and Yucca schidigera as subdominants. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse. Stands occur on well-drained upland slopes and alluvial fans. Elevations range from 600-1300 m in Arizona to 580-880 in southern California. Soils range from cobbly loams to loamy sand.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This desert scrub alliance is dominated by tall Canotia holacantha or Simmondsia chinensis with Ambrosia deltoidea, Larrea tridentata, Ericameria linearifolia, or Eriogonum fasciculatum present to codominant. In Arizona frost-sensitive species such as Carnegiea gigantea, Ferocactus sp., Olneya tesota, Cylindropuntia bigelovii, and Prosopis spp. are absent or have low cover.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Simmondsia chinensis is a wide-ranging Sonoran Desert species and may be present in several desert scrub communities (Turner et al. 1995). It has been described in communities as a dominant species in the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert in an elevational band along the lower slopes of the Mogollon Rim/Central Highlands region by Brown (1982a) and in Perris Valley and Cahuilla Mountains in southern California by Klein and Evens (2006), Sawyer et al. (2009), and Sproul et al. (2011). In Arizona, higher elevation stands of this lack the frost-sensitive species such as Carnegiea gigantea, Parkinsonia microphylla, and Olneya tesota that are characteristic of the lower elevation ~Carnegiea gigantea - Parkinsonia microphylla - Prosopis velutina Desert Scrub Alliance (A3282)$$. Lower elevation stands are dominated by Simmondsia chinensis or Canotia holacantha. More rangewide classification analysis and review of this alliance are needed in California and Sonora, Mexico.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation included in this alliance has a sparse to moderately dense woody layer (20-45% cover) less than 2 m tall, dominated or codominated by broad-leaved, xeromorphic evergreen shrubs. Codominant vegetation is microphyllous evergreen and broad-leaved deciduous shrubs and small trees 0.5-5 m tall. Tall woody cacti are often present. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse and dominated by graminoids, with annual forbs and grasses present seasonally.
Floristics: This desert scrub alliance is dominated by taller Canotia holacantha or Simmondsia chinensis with Ambrosia deltoidea, Larrea tridentata, Ericameria linearifolia, or Eriogonum fasciculatum present to codominant. In Arizona frost-sensitive species such as Carnegiea gigantea, Ferocactus sp., Olneya tesota, Cylindropuntia bigelovii (= Opuntia bigelovii), and Prosopis spp. are absent or have lower cover (Brown 1982a). In California, this alliance is generally characterized by Simmondsia chinensis as dominant or codominant in the shrub canopy, with Artemisia californica, Echinocereus engelmannii, Encelia actonii (= Encelia virginensis ssp. actonii), Encelia farinosa, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lotus scoparius, Opuntia basilaris, Cylindropuntia californica, Rhus ovata, Salvia mellifera, and Yucca schidigera as subdominants (Klein and Evens 2006, Sawyer et al. 2009, and Sproul et al. 2011). The herbaceous layer is generally sparse, though annual forbs and grasses are present seasonally.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This desert scrub alliance is reported along the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert in an elevational band along the lower slopes of the Mogollon Rim/Central Highlands region and in Perris Valley and Cahuilla Mountains in southern California. Annual precipitation is 30-45 cm in Arizona (Brown 1982a). Stands occur on well-drained, often rocky upland slopes and alluvial fans. Elevations range from 600-1300 m in Arizona to 580-880 m in southern California. Soils include cobbly loams to loamy sand.
Geographic Range: This desert scrub alliance is reported along the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert in an elevational band along the lower slopes of the Mogollon Rim/Central Highlands region and in Perris Valley and Cahuilla Mountains in southern California.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, MXSON?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899407
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.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M088 | 3.A.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.c Saguaro - Yellow Paloverde - Triangle Bur-ragweed Mixed Cacti Desert Scrub Group | G293 | 3.A.2.Na.4.c |
| Alliance | A3283 Jojoba - Crucifixion-thorn - Eastern Mojave Buckwheat Desert Scrub Alliance | A3283 | 3.A.2.Na.4.c |
| Association | CEGL000953 Triangle Bur-ragweed / Jojoba Shrubland | CEGL000953 | 3.A.2.Na.4.c |
| Association | CEGL000983 Jojoba - Yellow Paloverde Shrubland | CEGL000983 | 3.A.2.Na.4.c |
| Association | CEGL005296 Crucifixion-thorn Grand Canyon Shrubland | CEGL005296 | 3.A.2.Na.4.c |
Concept Lineage: This alliance includes old alliances III.B.3.N.a. Ambrosia deltoidea Shrubland Alliance (A.852), in part; and III.A.5.N.a. Simmondsia chinensis Shrubland Alliance (A.853), in part.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ambrosia deltoidea-Cercidium microphyllum-mixed scrub Association (Brown et al. 1979) [within the Paloverde-Mixed Cacti ("Arizona Uplands") Series (154.12).]
= Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba scrub) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.005.00]
= Simmondsia chinensis Alliance (Sproul et al. 2011)
= Simmondsia chinensis Provisional Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [33.005.00]
< Sonoran Mixed Woody and Succulent Scrub (#33220) (Holland 1986b)
= Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba scrub) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.005.00]
= Simmondsia chinensis Alliance (Sproul et al. 2011)
= Simmondsia chinensis Provisional Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [33.005.00]
< Sonoran Mixed Woody and Succulent Scrub (#33220) (Holland 1986b)
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