Print Report
A3785 Selaginella bigelovii Rock Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Sparse herbaceous vegetation of steep rock outcrops in California''s central and southern Coast Ranges and southern California mountains and valleys where Selaginella bigelovii is dominant or codominant.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bushy Spikemoss Rock Alliance
Colloquial Name: Bushy Spikemoss Sparse Outcrop
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance contains herbaceous vegetation of steep rock outcrops in California''s central and southern Coast Ranges and southern California mountains and valleys with Selaginella bigelovii dominant or codominant in the herbaceous layer. Cover of herbs can usually range from <10% to >10% cover. Other herbaceous species may include Aira caryophyllea, Avena barbata, Bromus rubens, Bromus diandrus, Corethrogyne filaginifolia, Logfia californica, Melica imperfecta, Mirabilis laevis, Plantago erecta, and Vulpia microstachys. Scattered shrubs with <10% cover may be present and may include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Artemisia californica, Ceanothus crassifolius, Diplacus aurantiacus, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Eriogonum wrightii, and Hesperoyucca whipplei. Parent material is rocky or thin soils with sedimentary, granitic, or volcanic substrate.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Sparse herbaceous vegetation of steep rock outcrops where Selaginella bigelovii has >30% relative cover. Shrubs may have an open too sparse canopy, but <25% absolute cover.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance description is derived from Sawyer et al. (2009). In the stands from the central and southern Coast Ranges of California cover can range from <10% to >10%, but they are virtually the same. ~Eriogonum fasciculatum / Selaginella bigelovii Sparse Vegetation (CEGL002886)$$ best fits here, and not in a maritime chaparral group.
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: Selaginella bigelovii is dominant or codominant in the herbaceous layer, and usually cover of herbs can range from <10% to >10% cover. Other herbaceous species may include Aira caryophyllea, Avena barbata, Bromus rubens, Bromus diandrus, Corethrogyne filaginifolia (= Lessingia filaginifolia), Logfia californica (= Filago californica), Melica imperfecta, Mirabilis laevis (= Mirabilis californica), Plantago erecta, and Vulpia microstachys. Scattered shrubs with <10% cover may be present and may include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Artemisia californica, Ceanothus crassifolius, Diplacus aurantiacus, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Eriogonum wrightii, and Hesperoyucca whipplei.
Dynamics: The alliance is characteristic of outcrops in much of cismontane California. It typically occurs on gently to moderately sloping slabs of rock and, over time, may form thick mats of intertwined roots and rhizomes. These mats catch soil and dust and build up enough soil to supply substrate for other herbaceous species. These stands are visible on outcrops at a distance and often show up as dark mats with emergent drying grass stems and scattered shrubs.
Environmental Description: This alliance occurs on steep rock outcrops at elevations ranging from 10-1200 m. Parent material is rocky or thin soils with sedimentary, granitic, or volcanic substrate.
Geographic Range: This alliance is known from California''s central and southern Coast Ranges and southern California mountains and valleys. The alliance is widespread in southern California, including the Channel Islands, and Baja California, Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: CA, MXBCN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899837
Confidence Level: Moderate
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 | A3785 Bushy Spikemoss Rock Alliance | A3785 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002886 Eastern Mojave Buckwheat / Bushy Spikemoss Sparse Vegetation | CEGL002886 | 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: = Selaginella bigelovii (Bushy spikemoss mats) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [42.062.00]
= Selaginella bigelovii Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [42.062.00]
< California annual grassland series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Diablan Sage Scrub (#32600) (Holland 1986b)
>< Native Grassland (#42100) (Holland 1986b)
= Selaginella bigelovii Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [42.062.00]
< California annual grassland series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Diablan Sage Scrub (#32600) (Holland 1986b)
>< Native Grassland (#42100) (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/].
- 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.
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- 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.
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