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A3460 Lycium californicum Desert Scrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Coastal bluffs and terraces of the southern California coast dominated or codominated by Lycium californicum.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Desert-thorn Desert Scrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: California Desert-thorn Desert Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Stands are characterized by open to intermittent shrub canopies <3 m tall and dominated or codominated by Lycium californicum. Other shrub associates may include Artemisia californica, Artemisia nesiotica, Bergerocactus emoryi, Coreopsis gigantea, Eriogonum giganteum, Opuntia oricola, Cylindropuntia prolifera, and Rhus integrifolia. The herbaceous layer is typically moderate in cover. This shrubland alliance occurs along the southern California coast. Stands occupy coastal bluffs and terraces. Soils are sandy or gravelly. Elevations range from 5-150 m.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands occupy coastal bluffs and terraces. Lycium californicum is dominant or codominant in the shrub layer with Artemisia californica, Artemisia nesiotica, Bergerocactus emoryi, Coreopsis gigantea, Eriogonum giganteum, Opuntia oricola, Cylindropuntia prolifera, or Rhus integrifolia.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Little information exists for the description of this alliance and the information presented here is based on Keeler-Wolf and Evens (2006).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This vegetation is characterized by open to moderate shrub canopy <3 m tall and dominated by drought-deciduous shrubs typically with a moderate herbaceous layer.

Floristics: Stands are characterized by open to intermittent shrub canopies <3 m tall and dominated or codominated by Lycium californicum. Other shrub associates may include Artemisia californica, Artemisia nesiotica, Bergerocactus emoryi, Coreopsis gigantea, Eriogonum giganteum, Opuntia oricola, Cylindropuntia prolifera (= Opuntia prolifera), and Rhus integrifolia. The herbaceous layer is typically moderate in cover.

Species of Interest: All of the following species tracked by the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (2015) occur in the sample of this alliance: Dudleya greenei (CRPR 4.2), Eriogonum grande var. rubescens (CRPR 1B.2), and Lycium californicum (CRPR 4.2).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Stands occupy coastal bluffs and terraces. Soils are sandy or gravelly. Elevations range from 5-150 m.
Geographic Range: This shrubland alliance occurs along the southern California coast and on coastal islands.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  CA, MXBCN


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?

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.a Coastal Agave - Boojum Tree - Tree Yucca / Live-forever species Coastal Succulent Scrub Group G298 3.A.2.Na.4.a
Alliance A3460 California Desert-thorn Desert Scrub Alliance A3460 3.A.2.Na.4.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Lycium californicum (California desert-thorn) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.365.00]
> Lycium californicum Association (Sproul et al. 2011)
> Lycium californicum Association (HDR 2014)
= Lycium californicum Shrubland Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Lycium californicum provisional shrubland alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
= Lycium californicum Provisional Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [33.365.00]
>< Maritime Succulent Scrub (#32400) (Holland 1986b)
>< Southern Coastal Bluff Scrub (#31200) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): T. Keeler-Wolf and J. Evens (2006)

Author of Description: M.E. Hall

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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