Print Report

A3882 Encelia californica - Eriogonum cinereum [Maritime] Scrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of shrublands with characteristic species Eriogonum cinereum, Encelia californica, and/or Coreopsis gigantea. Other species present may include Artemisia californica, Diplacus aurantiacus, Ericameria ericoides, Malosma laurina, Rhus integrifolia, and Salvia mellifera. It is a coastal scrub alliance occurring generally within the fog belt of southern California. Habitats are sunny, steep slopes, or moderate to abrupt slopes and rocky or eroded cliffs.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Brittlebush - Coastal Buckwheat [Maritime] Scrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: Maritime California Brittlebush - Coastal Buckwheat Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of shrublands with characteristic species Eriogonum cinereum, Encelia californica, and/or Coreopsis gigantea. Other species present may include Artemisia californica, Diplacus aurantiacus, Ericameria ericoides, Malosma laurina, Rhus integrifolia, and Salvia mellifera. It is a coastal scrub alliance occurring generally within the fog belt. This alliance can be found in southern California at elevations ranging from 0-1200 m. Habitats are sunny, steep slopes, or moderate to abrupt slopes and rocky or eroded cliffs. Soils develop from sandstone, volcanic, or shale substrates. Despite its preference for sunny steep exposures, it is usually associated with some summer fog and usually exists close to the coast.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Here, coastal (fog belt) stands of Encelia californica and/or Eriogonum cinereum would be included. Coreopsis gigantea is a drought-deciduous shrub and very frost-sensitive. Stands exist in proximity to the coast, especially in steep areas protected from fire. Many coastal sage scrub species grow with Coreopsis gigantea, and the herbaceous layer is usually species-rich. Fires appear to kill individuals in the Santa Monica Mountains (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006). Stands of Coreopsis gigantea occur along coastal cliffs, bluffs, and sand dunes where fires are naturally rare. It should not be considered a fire-type. These very localized stands of Coreopsis gigantea and localized stands of Lycium californicum could be placed in their own alliance separate from this alliance. Both occur on coastal terraces/bluffs of the immediate coast (J. Evens pers. comm. 2013).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This sclerophyllous, broad-leaved, evergreen shrubland forms an intermittent canopy less than 2 m in height. The herbaceous layer is quite variable.

Floristics: This alliance consists of shrublands with characteristic species Eriogonum cinereum, Encelia californica, and/or Coreopsis gigantea. Other species present may include Artemisia californica, Diplacus aurantiacus, Ericameria ericoides, Malosma laurina, Rhus integrifolia, and Salvia mellifera.

Dynamics:  Stands of this alliance grow on steep, south-facing slopes with colluvial-derived soils. Strong sea breezes characterize sites.
Environmental Description:  This shrubland alliance of the southern coastal regions of California requires steep, south-facing slopes with colluvial-derived soils. Elevations range from sea level to 1200 m. Soils develop from sandstone, volcanic, or shale substrates. Strong sea breezes characterize these sites. Precipitation is strongly seasonal, with most rain falling between November and April. Average yearly rainfall totals are between 25 and 45 cm. Temperatures are fairly mild as they are ameliorated by the coastal influence. Summers are quite dry except for some coastal fog, and sites can be very xeric during the late summer and fall months. This alliance intergrades with other coastal scrubs and with introduced annual grasslands.
Geographic Range: This alliance of southern California''s coastal region is confined to south-facing slopes on the Channel Islands and the outer central and southern coast. Stands of Coreopsis gigantea are localized on sand dunes and steep coastal bluffs and terraces along the immediate coast, while stands of Encelia californica and Eriogonum cinereum occur both along the immediate coast and on inland coastal slopes.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA


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.2 Coastal Sagebrush - Black Sage - Coyotebrush Coastal Scrub Macrogroup M044 2.B.1.Na.2
Group 2.B.1.Na.2.b Coastal Sagebrush - Black Sage - White Sage Coastal Scrub Group G264 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Alliance A3882 California Brittlebush - Coastal Buckwheat [Maritime] Scrub Alliance A3882 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Association CEGL003644 California Brittlebush Shrubland CEGL003644 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Association CEGL003657 California Brittlebush - Coastal Sagebrush Shrubland CEGL003657 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Association CEGL003666 California Brittlebush - Coastal Buckwheat Shrubland CEGL003666 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Association CEGL003668 California Brittlebush - Laurel Sumac - Black Sage Shrubland CEGL003668 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Association CEGL003672 California Brittlebush - Lemonade Sumac Shrubland CEGL003672 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Association CEGL003680 Coastal Buckwheat Shrubland CEGL003680 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Association CEGL003726 San Luis Purple Sage - Coastal Buckwheat / Annual Grass-Herb Shrubland CEGL003726 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Association CEGL003728 Black Sage - Coastal Buckwheat Shrubland CEGL003728 2.B.1.Na.2.b
Concept Lineage: includes A.772, A.2668, and A.2669

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Coreopsis gigantea (Giant coreopsis scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [43.100.00]
= Encelia californica - Eriogonum cinereum Shrubland Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
> Encelia californica (California brittle bush scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.050.00]
> Eriogonum cinereum (Ashy buckwheat scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.035.00]
>< Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub (#32500) (Holland 1986b)
? Southern Coastal Bluff Scrub (#31200) (Holland 1986b)
>< Venturan Coastal Sage Scrub (#32300) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): M.S. Reid, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.S. Reid

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

Version Date: 12-18-14
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