Print Report

A3784 Sedum spathulifolium Sparse Rock Vegetation Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Sparse herbaceous vegetation of rock faces, cliffs, and outcrops of California''s central and northern interior Coast Ranges where Sedum spathulifolium is the most characteristic species.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Broadleaf Stonecrop Sparse Rock Vegetation Alliance

Colloquial Name: Broadleaf Stonecrop Sparse Cliff & Outcrop

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance contains sparse herbaceous vegetation of rock faces, cliffs, and outcrops of California''s central and northern interior Coast Ranges where Sedum spathulifolium is the most characteristic species along with various moss and lichen species. Other herbs may include Bromus rubens, Clarkia spp., Dichelostemma capitatum, Dudleya lanceolata, Erigeron petrophilus, Galium aparine, Galium porrigens, Melica torreyana, Pentagramma triangularis, and Polypodium californicum. Scattered shrubs may be present and nonvascular cover may be equal or greater than that of herbaceous species. Substrates are rocky or thin soil with sedimentary, serpentinite, or volcanic parent material.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Small-patch, sparse vegetation of rock faces, cliffs, and outcrops where Sedum spathulifolium is the most characteristic species along with various moss and lichen species. Vascular plant cover is variable from <10% cover to >10% cover.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance description is derived from the Sawyer et al. (2009). In the stands from the Central Coast of California, cover is often >10%. More sampling and analysis are needed to evaluate associations of this alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is composed of sparse herbaceous vegetation with cover typically <10% and with heights <0.5 m. Scattered woody species may be present in some stands and nonvascular cover may be equal or greater than that of herbaceous species.

Floristics: Sedum spathulifolium is the most characteristic species along with various moss and lichen species. Other herbs may include Bromus rubens, Clarkia spp., Dichelostemma capitatum, Dudleya lanceolata, Erigeron petrophilus, Galium aparine, Galium porrigens, Melica torreyana, Pentagramma triangularis, and Polypodium californicum. Scattered shrubs may be present and nonvascular cover may be equal or greater than that of herbaceous species.

Dynamics:  Stands are typically small (<0.5 ha), with the largest sampled so far at Pinnacles National Monument (Kittel et al. 2012a). Rock climbing and informal trails have impacted some stands negatively.
Environmental Description:  Vegetation of this alliance occurs on rock faces, shady cliffs, outcrops, and boulders. Elevations range from 10-1500 m. Substrates are rocky or thin soil from sedimentary, serpentinite, or volcanic parent material.
Geographic Range: This alliance is currently known from California''s southern, central and northern interior Coast Ranges, Klamath Mountains, Sierra Nevada and foothills, and southern Cascades.

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 A3784 Broadleaf Stonecrop Sparse Rock Vegetation Alliance A3784 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: = Sedum spathulifolium (Coast Range stonecrop draperies) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [43.400.00]
= Sedum spathulifolium Provisional Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [43.400.00]
>< Diablan Sage Scrub (#32600) (Holland 1986b)
>< Native Grassland (#42100) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): J.O. Sawyer, T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens (2009)

Author of Description: M.E. Hall and J. Evens

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

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2015-2017. A manual of California vegetation [online]. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://vegetation.cnps.org/].
  • 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.
  • Kittel, G., E. Reyes, J. Evens, J. Buck, and D. Johnson. 2012a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Pinnacles National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/SFAN/NRR-2012/574. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 428 pp.
  • 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.