Print Report

A3783 Allium spp. - Streptanthus spp. - Hesperolinon spp. Serpentinite Sparse Rock Vegetation Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Sparse herbaceous vegetation occupying serpentinite outcrops of the central and southern Sierra Nevada, central and northern Coast Ranges, and Klamath Mountains.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Onion species - Twistflower species - Dwarf-flax species Serpentinite Sparse Rock Vegetation Alliance

Colloquial Name: Twistflower - Dwarf-flax Serpentinite Sparse Rock Vegetation

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance contains sparse herbaceous vegetation occupying serpentinite rock outcrops of the central and southern Sierra Nevada, central and northern Coast Ranges, and Klamath Mountains. Herbaceous forbs predominate and may include Allium cratericola, Allium falcifolium, Asclepias solanoana, Eriogonum nudum, Eriogonum ursinum, and other Eriogonum spp., Hesperolinon spp., Lomatium spp., Phacelia spp., and Streptanthus spp. Shrubs, including Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus spp., and Quercus durata, may be present though sparse (<5%) in cover. In good rain years, herbaceous cover may exceed 10% cover, though in most times of the year cover is low.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Sparsely vegetated serpentinite barrens with typically <10% total cover of vascular plant species. Herbaceous forbs predominate and may include Allium cratericola, Allium falcifolium, Asclepias solanoana, Eriogonum nudum, Eriogonum ursinum, and other Eriogonum spp., Hesperolinon spp., Lomatium spp., Phacelia spp., and Streptanthus spp. Shrubs, including Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus spp., and Quercus durata, may be present though sparse (<5%) in cover.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This is a provisional alliance as little floristic information is available for these habitats. There also are serpentinite sparse cliff seeps, ravines and streams with unique vegetative characteristics, including plants such as Aquilegia eximia, Muhlenbergia andina, and Salix breweri.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation is sparse and primarily herb-dominated. Nonvascular plants may also be prominent. Plants are restricted to cracks or small shelves, and most occur where some more-or-less regular moisture is present.

Floristics: Herbaceous forbs predominate and may include Allium falcifolium, Allium cratericola, Streptanthus spp., Hesperolinon spp., Allium cratericola, Allium falcifolium, Asclepias solanoana, Eriogonum nudum, Eriogonum ursinum, and other Eriogonum spp., Hesperolinon spp., Lomatium spp., Phacelia spp., and Streptanthus spp. Shrubs, including Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus spp., and Quercus durata, may be present though sparse (<5%) in cover. In good rain years, herbaceous cover may exceed 10% cover, though in most times of the year cover is low.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  These communities occupy serpentinite rock outcrops.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the central and southern Sierra Nevada, central and northern Coast Ranges, and Klamath Mountains.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class C06 6
Subclass 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass S04 6.B
Formation 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation F034 6.B.1
Division 6.B.1.Nb Western North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division D052 6.B.1.Nb
Macrogroup 6.B.1.Nb.1 Douglas-fir - Ponderosa Pine / Moss Western North American Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup M887 6.B.1.Nb.1
Group 6.B.1.Nb.1.a Sierra Lodgepole Pine / Bigpod Ceanothus - Smooth Mountain-mahogany Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group G563 6.B.1.Nb.1.a
Alliance A3783 Onion species - Twistflower species - Dwarf-flax species Serpentinite Sparse Rock Vegetation Alliance A3783 6.B.1.Nb.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Allium spp. - Streptanthus spp. - Hesperolinon spp. Serpentinite Sparse (Sawyer et al. 2009)
Concept Author(s): J.O. Sawyer, T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens (2009)

Author of Description: M.E. Hall

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by J. Evens.

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • 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.