Print Report
A3329 Schinus molle - Schinus terebinthifolius - Myoporum laetum Ruderal Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of groves of escaped or naturalized cultivars of Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, or Myoporum laetum. It is found in California in coastal canyons, washes, slopes, riparian areas, and roadsides, between 185 and 300 m elevation.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Peruvian Peppertree - Brazilian Peppertree - Ngaio Tree Ruderal Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Peppertree - Ngaio Tree Grove
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of groves of escaped or naturalized cultivars of Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, or Myoporum laetum. These trees are evergreen with aromatic compound leaves and are considered invasive in California. All are common ornamentals that have escaped from cultivation. Birds disperse the colored fruits allowing seedlings to establish in wildland vegetation. This alliance is found in California in coastal canyons, washes, slopes, riparian areas, and roadsides, between 185 and 300 m elevation. Both Schinus species grow well in dry, nutrient soils and are tolerant of air pollution. Schinus molle may not form naturalized stands away from cultivation. Myoporum laetum frequents disturbed coastal habitats.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, or Myoporum laetum is dominant in the tree canopy.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Material for this description is from Sawyer et al. (2009). More plot data are needed to describe these areas.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This alliance consists of groves of escaped or naturalized cultivars of Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, or Myoporum laetum. These trees are evergreen with aromatic compound leaves. DiTomaso and Healy (2007) consider these trees as invasive in California. All are common ornamentals that have escaped from cultivation. Birds disperse the colored fruits allowing seedlings to establish in wildland vegetation. Schinus molle may not form naturalized stands away from cultivation.
Dynamics: Myoporum laetum tends to invade coastal bluffs and salt marsh edges up and down California. Schinus terebinthifolius is more invasive than Schinus molle and has dominated in bottomlands and lower slopes in the Santa Monica Mountains and other coastal regions of southern California. Birds disperse the colored fruits allowing seedlings to establish in wildland vegetation. All are common ornamentals that have escaped from cultivation.
Environmental Description: This alliance is found in California in coastal canyons, washes, slopes, riparian areas, and roadsides, between 185 and 300 m elevation. Both Schinus species grow well in dry, nutrient soils and are tolerant of air pollution. Myoporum laetum frequents disturbed coastal habitats.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899453
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Nc Californian Forest & Woodland Division | D007 | 1.B.1.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Nc.90 Tasmanian Bluegum - Peruvian Peppertree - Tree-of-Heaven Ruderal Forest Macrogroup | M513 | 1.B.1.Nc.90 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Nc.90.a Californian Ruderal Forest Group | G678 | 1.B.1.Nc.90.a |
| Alliance | A3329 Peruvian Peppertree - Brazilian Peppertree - Ngaio Tree Ruderal Woodland Alliance | A3329 | 1.B.1.Nc.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Schinus (molle, terebinthifolius) - Myoporum laetum (Pepper tree or Myoporum groves) Semi-natural Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [79.200.00]
> Schinus molle Woodland/Forest Alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
= Schinus (molle, terebinthifolius)-Myoporum laetum Woodland Semi-Natural Alliance (CNPS 2017) [79.200.00]
>< Southern Riparian Forest (#61300) (Holland 1986b)
>< Southern Riparian Scrub (#63300) (Holland 1986b)
> Schinus molle Woodland/Forest Alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
= Schinus (molle, terebinthifolius)-Myoporum laetum Woodland Semi-Natural Alliance (CNPS 2017) [79.200.00]
>< Southern Riparian Forest (#61300) (Holland 1986b)
>< Southern Riparian Scrub (#63300) (Holland 1986b)
- CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2015-2017. A manual of California vegetation [online]. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://vegetation.cnps.org/].
- DiTomaso, J. M., and E. A. Healy. 2007. Weeds of California and other western States. Two volumes. Publication 3488. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, CA. 1808 pp.
- Evens, J., and S. San. 2006. Vegetation alliances of the San Dieguito River Park region, San Diego County, California. Final report (August 2005) Version 2 (revised May 2006). Prepared by California Native Plant Society in cooperation with the California Natural Heritage Program of the California Department of Fish and Game and San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. Sacramento, CA. 271 pp.
- 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.
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., and J. Evens. 2006. Vegetation classification of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and environs in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, California. A report submitted to National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch and The California Native Plant Society, Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
- 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.
- Walgren, M., L. Andreano, J. Beaulieu, S. Christopher, and C. Jackson. 2005. Resource inventory for Morro Strand State Beach. Unpublished report. California Department of Parks and Recreation, San Luis Obispo, CA.