Print Report
A3861 Ceanothus oliganthus - Ceanothus leucodermis - Ceanothus tomentosus Pre-montane Chaparral Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Stands of this alliance are dominated by Ceanothus oliganthus, Ceanothus leucodermis, or Ceanothus tomentosus. This alliance occurs on moderate to steep slopes between 100 and 1500 m elevation, usually found on deep soils. It occurs in central and southern California where precipitation patterns are strongly seasonal, with long, dry summers and mild, moist winters.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hairy Ceanothus - Chaparral Whitethorn - Woolly-leaf Ceanothus Pre-montane Chaparral Alliance
Colloquial Name: Pre-montane Hairy Ceanothus - Chaparral Whitethorn - Woolly-leaf Ceanothus Chaparral
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Stands of this alliance are dominated by Ceanothus oliganthus, Ceanothus leucodermis, or Ceanothus tomentosus. Other shrubs present may include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos glauca, Ceanothus integerrimus, Eriodictyon spp., Heteromeles arbutifolia, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus dumosa, Rhus ovata, Rhus trilobata, Toxicodendron diversilobum, and Hesperoyucca whipplei. Emergent individuals of Quercus wislizeni or other trees may be present. The herbaceous layer is sparse. Stands of Ceanothus oliganthus tend to occur as small, localized patches after recent fire disturbance, and they senesce after about 30-40 years. Stands occur on northerly slopes and adjacent to riparian areas in southern California, and they occur on a wide range of slopes and exposures in central California. Stands are on moderate to steep slopes between 100 and 1500 m elevation with deep soils. Precipitation patterns where this alliance occurs are strongly seasonal, with long, dry summers and mild, moist winters. Yearly precipitation totals are between 75 cm in the north and 40 cm in the south. Many of the plants in this alliance are winter-dormant and frost-tolerant.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This sclerophyllous, temperate, broad-leaved evergreen shrubland forms an intermittent to continuous canopy less than 3.5 m in height. Emergent trees (5-10 m tall) may be present. The herbaceous layer is sparse.
Floristics: Stands of this alliance are dominated by Ceanothus oliganthus, Ceanothus leucodermis, or Ceanothus tomentosus. Other shrubs present may include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos glauca, Ceanothus integerrimus, Eriodictyon spp., Heteromeles arbutifolia, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus dumosa, Rhus ovata, Rhus trilobata, Toxicodendron diversilobum, and/or Hesperoyucca whipplei (= Yucca whipplei). Emergent individuals of Quercus wislizeni may be present. The herbaceous layer is sparse. Ceanothus tomentosus has a smaller range and stands are limited to the Peninsular Ranges.
Dynamics: Some stands of Ceanothus leucodermis sprout from fire, but others do not. Heat from fire stimulates germination. Ceanothus oliganthus is an obligate seeder, germinating after fire. Fire cycles of 25-50 years should promote stands of this alliance.
Environmental Description: This alliance occurs on south-facing slopes in central California and north-facing slopes in southern California, on moderate to steep slopes between 100 and 1900 m elevation. This alliance is usually found on deep soils. Precipitation patterns where this alliance occurs are strongly seasonal, with long, dry summers and mild, moist winters. Yearly precipitation totals are between 75 cm in the north and 40 cm in the south. Many of the plants in this alliance are winter-dormant and frost-tolerant.
Geographic Range: Stands of this alliance occur in California''s southern and central Coast Ranges, the Sierra Nevada foothills, the Transverse and Peninsular ranges, south into Baja California, Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: CA, MXBCN, OR?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899912
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.1 Mediterranean Scrub & Grassland Formation | F038 | 2.B.1 |
| Division | 2.B.1.Na Californian Scrub & Grassland Division | D327 | 2.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.1.Na.1 Chamise - Whiteleaf Manzanita - Scrub Oak Chaparral Macrogroup | M043 | 2.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.B.1.Na.1.b Scrub Oak - Eastwood''s Manzanita - California Ash Chaparral Group | G261 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3861 Hairy Ceanothus - Chaparral Whitethorn - Woolly-leaf Ceanothus Pre-montane Chaparral Alliance | A3861 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003603 Hairy Ceanothus Shrubland | CEGL003603 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003605 Hairy Ceanothus - Redshank Shrubland | CEGL003605 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003610 Hairy Ceanothus - Toyon - Sugar Sumac Shrubland | CEGL003610 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003611 Hairy Ceanothus - Scrub Oak Shrubland | CEGL003611 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: A.771, A.767
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Ceanothus leucodermis (Chaparral white thorn chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.205.00]
> Ceanothus leucodermis Shrubland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
> Ceanothus oliganthus (Hairy leaf ceanothus chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.207.00]
>< Poison Oak Chaparral (#37F00) (Holland 1986b)
>< Upper Sonoran Ceanothus Chaparral (#37800) (Holland 1986b)
= Whitethorn Chaparral (#37532) (Holland 1986b)
> Ceanothus leucodermis Shrubland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
> Ceanothus oliganthus (Hairy leaf ceanothus chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.207.00]
>< Poison Oak Chaparral (#37F00) (Holland 1986b)
>< Upper Sonoran Ceanothus Chaparral (#37800) (Holland 1986b)
= Whitethorn Chaparral (#37532) (Holland 1986b)
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