Print Report

A3874 Baccharis emoryi - Baccharis sergiloides Wet Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance covers shrublands of the southwestern U.S. that line dry washes, wet valley bottoms and intermittent streambeds where Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis sarothroides, or Baccharis sergiloides dominate the upper canopy.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Emory''s Baccharis - Desert Baccharis Wet Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Baccharis Dry Wash Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance includes dry washes, wet valley bottoms and intermittent streambeds where Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis sarothroides, or Baccharis sergiloides dominate the upper canopy. Other shrubs present may include Acacia greggii, Ericameria linearifolia, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Gutierrezia microcephala, Lotus rigidus, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Parkinsonia microphylla, Prunus fasciculata, Rhus trilobata, Salix exigua, and Yucca schidigera. Occasional emergent Populus fremontii or Salix spp. may occur. This alliance occurs in the Mojave, Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, southeastern California, southern Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Shrublands of the southwestern deserts on steep slopes, intermittently flooded drainages, floodplains, seeps, and springs dominated by Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis sarothroides, or Baccharis sergiloides.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: These sites are not as wet (not as shallow a water table) as those areas that support Baccharis salicifolia.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance is dominated by microphyllous shrubs (0.5-4 m tall), with drought-deciduous woody species occasionally present. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse.

Floristics: This alliance is characterized by an open, microphyllous shrub layer dominated by Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis sarothroides, or Baccharis sergiloides in the upper canopy. Other shrubs present may include Acacia greggii, Ericameria linearifolia, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Gutierrezia microcephala, Lotus rigidus, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa (= Opuntia acanthocarpa), Parkinsonia microphylla, Prunus fasciculata, Rhus trilobata, Salix exigua, and Yucca schidigera. Occasional emergent Populus fremontii or Salix spp. may occur. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderate and dominated by mesic graminoids and forbs. Species may include Artemisia ludoviciana, Distichlis spicata, Eriogonum spp., Juncus balticus, Juncus macrophyllus, Juncus mexicanus, Mentzelia multiflora, Muhlenbergia rigens, Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma, Sphaeralcea ambigua, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus spp., and Typha domingensis.

Dynamics:  The distribution of Baccharis sarothroides is restricted to sites where groundwater is accessible. It is dependent on intermittent flooding to recharge groundwater, raise the water table and maintain soil moisture (Willis 1939). However, desert plants with shallow root systems will also occur in this habitat with Baccharis sarothroides. Species of the exotic shrub Tamarix have invaded many of these xeroriparian habitats and may be dominant in stands that used to be primarily native shrubs and small trees (Brown et al. 1977a).
Environmental Description:  This shrubland alliance is found on alluvial terraces, flats, sand bars, intermittently flooded drainages, floodplains, seeps, and springs at elevations ranging from 650 to 1700 m. Substrates are gravelly sand to sandy loam-textured soils that are seasonally saturated. Boulders, cobbles and bedrock are common (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000). These relatively mesic shrublands utilize moisture from the water table and are dependent on intermittent and seasonal flooding of washes to supplement the soil moisture and maintain the groundwater levels.
Geographic Range: This alliance is known from the Mojave, Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, southeastern California, southern Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, possibly extending into Texas and northern Mexico.

Nations: MX?,US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX?, UT


Confidence Level: Low

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.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nc Southwestern North American Warm Desert Freshwater Marsh & Bosque Division D032 2.C.4.Nc
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nc.1 Warm Desert Lowland Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M076 2.C.4.Nc.1
Group 2.C.4.Nc.1.b Honey Mesquite - Velvet Mesquite - False Willow species North American Warm Desert Riparian Low Bosque & Shrubland Group G533 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Alliance A3874 Emory''s Baccharis - Desert Baccharis Wet Shrubland Alliance A3874 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Association CEGL001159 Desert-broom - Yellow Paloverde Wet Shrubland CEGL001159 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Association CEGL002953 Desert Baccharis Wet Shrubland CEGL002953 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Association CEGL002974 Emory''s Baccharis Wet Shrubland CEGL002974 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Association CEGL005947 (Emory''s Baccharis, Willow Baccharis) - Narrowleaf Willow Wet Shrubland CEGL005947 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Association CEGL005948 Emory''s Baccharis / Saltgrass Wet Shrubland CEGL005948 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Association CEGL005949 Emory''s Baccharis / Baltic Rush Wet Shrubland CEGL005949 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Association CEGL005950 Emory''s Baccharis / Alkali Sacaton Wet Shrubland CEGL005950 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Association CEGL005990 Emory''s Baccharis / Scratchgrass Wet Shrubland CEGL005990 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Concept Lineage: A2531, A.2643, A.840.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Baccharis emoryi (Emory’s baccharis thickets) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [63.520.00]
> Baccharis sarothroides Provisional Alliance (Sproul et al. 2011)
> Baccharis sergiloides (Broom baccharis thickets) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [63.530.00]
> Baccharis sergiloides Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
> Baccharis sergiloides Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2012)
>< Arroyo Margin Woodland (Niering and Lowe 1984)
>< Desert Broom - Foothill Paloverde - Mesquite Association (Warren and Treadwell 1980)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.E. Hall

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 04-23-18
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  • Evens, J. M. 2000. Water course vegetation on granite and calcareous substrates in the eastern Mojave Desert, California. Master''s thesis, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA.
  • Evens, J. M., D. Roach-McIntosh, and D. Stout. 2012. Vegetation descriptions for Joshua Tree National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI, National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
  • Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
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  • Keeler-Wolf, T. 2007. Mojave Desert scrub vegetation. Pages 609-656 in: M. G. Barbour, T. Keeler-Wolf, and A. A. Schoenherr, editors. Terrestrial vegetation of California. Third edition. University of California Press, Berkeley.
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., C. Roye, and K. Lewis. 1998a. Vegetation mapping and classification of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California. Unpublished report on file at California Natural Diversity Database, California Department Fish and Game, Sacramento.
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  • VegCAMP and AIS [Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program and Aerial Information Systems, Inc.]. 2013. 2012 California desert vegetation map and accuracy assessment in support of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. Unpublished report to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Renewable Energy Program and the California Energy Commission. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program and Aerial Information Systems, Inc.
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