Print Report
A3338 Minuartia obtusiloba - Lupinus sellulus Cascade Alpine Fell-field Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is characterized by a sparse herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial forbs Erigeron aureus, Lupinus sellulus var. lobbii, or Minuartia obtusiloba. Stands included in this alliance have been described from windswept alpine and harsh exposed subalpine areas in the Washington Cascade Range.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Twin-flower Sandwort - Donner Lake Lupine Cascade Alpine Fell-field Alliance
Colloquial Name: Cascadian Twin-flower Sandwort - Donner Lake Lupine Alpine Fell-field
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Stands have a sparse herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial forbs Erigeron aureus, Lupinus sellulus var. lobbii, or Minuartia obtusiloba and the sedges Carex breweri and Carex phaeocephala, in various combinations. Although plant cover is low, species richness is high, especially with cushion plants such as Phlox spp. and Silene acaulis. Other frequent species include Draba lonchocarpa, Festuca brachyphylla, Festuca saximontana, Luzula spicata, Penstemon davidsonii, Penstemon procerus, Phlox diffusa, Poa lettermanii, Polemonium elegans, Smelowskia ovalis, Solidago simplex var. spathulata, and Solidago simplex var. nana. Stands included in this alliance have been described from windswept alpine and harsh exposed subalpine areas in the Washington Cascade Range. Elevations range from 1950-2500 m. Sites are very dry fell-fields with large and small exposed rocks. Winter snow cover is generally low because high winds remove it. This vegetation grows between exposed rocks in depressions to gentle slopes. Aspects are southeast- and west-facing, on flat to gentle slopes. Cushion plants are favored because of extreme desiccating conditions. There is significant frost action in the soils that causes stones to be pushed to the surface forming stone stripes and other disturbance such as soil boils. There is little soil material. Parent material is typically andesite on Mount Rainier. Adjacent vegetation in more mesic habitats is alpine turf dominated by graminoids and more mesic forbs.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands occupy windswept alpine and harsh exposed subalpine areas and have a sparse herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial forbs Erigeron aureus, Lupinus sellulus var. lobbii, or Minuartia obtusiloba often in association with the sedges Carex breweri and Carex phaeocephala, in various combinations. The communities occupy very dry fell-fields with large and small exposed rocks.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is a modified version of Carex breweri - Minuartia obtusiloba Cascade Fell-field Alliance developed for NCCN.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance has a sparse herbaceous layer of perennial forbs and lesser amounts of perennial graminoids.
Floristics: Stands have a sparse herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial forbs Erigeron aureus, Lupinus sellulus var. lobbii (= Lupinus lepidus var. lobbii), or Minuartia obtusiloba and the sedges Carex breweri and Carex phaeocephala, in various combinations. Although plant cover is low, species richness is high, especially with cushion plants such as Phlox spp. and Silene acaulis. Other frequent species include Draba lonchocarpa, Festuca brachyphylla, Festuca saximontana (= Festuca ovina var. brevifolia), Luzula spicata, Penstemon davidsonii, Penstemon procerus, Phlox diffusa, Poa lettermanii, Polemonium elegans, Smelowskia ovalis, Solidago simplex var. spathulata (= Solidago spathulata), and Solidago simplex var. nana.
Dynamics: Hamann (1972) suggested that although both Erigeron aureus and Lupinus sellulus var. lobbii are common species in the alpine, Erigeron aureus is most abundant in this community, perhaps because of lack of competition with associates in the more mesic habitats.
Environmental Description: Stands included in this alliance have been described from windswept alpine areas in the Washington Cascade Range. Elevations range from 1950-2500 m. Sites are very dry fell-fields with large and small exposed rocks. Winter snow cover is generally low because high winds remove it. This vegetation grows between exposed rocks in depressions to gentle slopes. Aspects are southeast- and west-facing. There is significant frost action in the soils that cause stones to be pushed to the surface forming stone stripes and other disturbance such as soil boils. There is little soil material.
Geographic Range: Vegetation included in this alliance has been described from alpine areas on Mount Rainer, the Olympic Mountains, Mount Stuart and elsewhere in the Cascade Range in Washington.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899462
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Nb Western North American Alpine Tundra Division | D043 | 4.B.1.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Nb.3 Vancouverian Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M101 | 4.B.1.Nb.3 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Nb.3.b Longawn Sedge - Showy Sedge - Spreading Phlox Alpine-Subalpine Tundra Group | G320 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.b |
| Alliance | A3338 Twin-flower Sandwort - Donner Lake Lupine Cascade Alpine Fell-field Alliance | A3338 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.b |
| Association | CEGL001952 Twin-flower Sandwort - Donner Lake Lupine Alpine Fell-field | CEGL001952 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.b |
| Association | CEGL001961 Alpine Yellow Fleabane - Donner Lake Lupine Alpine Fell-field | CEGL001961 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.b |
Concept Lineage: A.1630, A.1643.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Hamann, M. J. 1972. Vegetation of alpine and subalpine meadows of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Unpublished thesis, Washington State University, Pullman. 120 pp.