Print Report

A3916 Quercus vacciniifolia - Chrysolepis sempervirens Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of shrublands dominated by Quercus vacciniifolia and/or Chrysolepis sempervirens. This alliance occurs from Oregon to the southern Sierra Nevada of California along ridges and upper slopes between 700 and 3300 m in elevation.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Huckleberry Oak - Bush Chinquapin Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Californian Montane Scrub Oak Chaparral

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of shrublands dominated by Quercus vacciniifolia and/or Chrysolepis sempervirens occurring either in mixed stands together or as the sole dominant. Other shrubs may include Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus cordulatus, Ceanothus cuneatus, Ceanothus velutinus, Garrya fremontii, Holodiscus discolor, Prunus emarginata, and Symphoricarpos mollis. Emergent conifers such as Abies lowiana, Abies magnifica, Pinus jeffreyi, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus monticola, Pinus ponderosa, or Pseudotsuga menziesii may be present at low cover. The herbaceous layer is sparse. Stands occur in the northern Coast Ranges, Klamath-Siskiyou mountains and throughout much of the Sierra Nevada. Topography and substrates are varied but tend towards skeletal, thin, rocky soils derived from granitics, mafic, and ultramafic. They occur on dry rocky and nutrient-poor soils at montane to subalpine elevations (700-3300 m). Climate has long, dry summers and wet winters. Average yearly precipitation totals vary from roughly 200 cm in the northern end of the range to 40 cm in the southern Sierra Nevada.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Dominance of Quercus vacciniifolia and Chrysolepis sempervirens, singularly or mixed with other montane chaparral shrubs such as Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus cordulatus, Ceanothus cuneatus, Ceanothus velutinus, Garrya fremontii, Holodiscus discolor, Prunus emarginata, and Symphoricarpos mollis.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This allance includes two Sawyer et al. (2009) alliances because they occur in similar ecological settings, have very similar floristics and can occur as mixed stands together. The dominants are evergreen, often referred to as "montane scrub oak chaparral."

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This sclerophyllous, temperate, broad-leaved evergreen shrubland forms a continuous to intermittent shrub canopy with a sparse herbaceous layer. Emergent conifers (10-15 m tall) may be present.

Floristics: Chrysolepis sempervirens (= Castanopsis sempervirens) and/or Quercus vacciniifolia is the sole or dominant plant in the shrub canopy. Other shrubs may include Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus cordulatus, Ceanothus cuneatus, Ceanothus velutinus, Garrya fremontii, Holodiscus discolor, Prunus emarginata, Quercus sadleriana, and Symphoricarpos mollis. Emergent conifers such as Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana), Abies magnifica, Pinus jeffreyi, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus monticola, Pinus ponderosa, or Pseudotsuga menziesii may be present at low cover. The herbaceous layer is sparse.

Dynamics:  Stands of this alliance are self-perpetuating on shallow soils. Stands on deeper soils are usually the result of disturbance and are transitional to forests.
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs along ridges and upper slopes between 700 and 3300 m elevation. Stands are normally found on thin, rocky soils. This alliance grows in a climate with long, dry summers and wet winters. Average yearly precipitation totals vary from roughly 62 cm in the northern end of the range to 30 cm in the southern extremes.
Geographic Range: This alliance of montane slopes and ridges occurs from Oregon to the southern Sierra Nevada of California. Stands are found in the Coast and Cascade ranges, Klamath Mountains, and south into the Sierra Nevada.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA, OR


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.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Ng Western North American Interior Chaparral Division D061 2.B.2.Ng
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Ng.1 Greenleaf Manzanita - Snowbrush Ceanothus - Huckleberry Oak Montane Chaparral Macrogroup M094 2.B.2.Ng.1
Group 2.B.2.Ng.1.a Greenleaf Manzanita - Pinemat Manzanita - Snowbrush Ceanothus Montane Sclerophyll Scrub Group G282 2.B.2.Ng.1.a
Alliance A3916 Huckleberry Oak - Bush Chinquapin Shrubland Alliance A3916 2.B.2.Ng.1.a
Association CEGL003039 Bush Chinquapin Shrubland CEGL003039 2.B.2.Ng.1.a
Association CEGL008695 Bush Chinquapin / Sparse Understory Sierran Shrubland CEGL008695 2.B.2.Ng.1.a
Association CEGL008696 Huckleberry Oak - Bush Chinquapin Shrubland CEGL008696 2.B.2.Ng.1.a
Association CEGL008697 Huckleberry Oak - Greenleaf Manzanita Shrubland CEGL008697 2.B.2.Ng.1.a
Concept Lineage: A.762, and A.784

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Chrysolepis sempervirens (Bush chinquapin chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.700.00]
> Quercus vaccinifolia Shrubland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
> Quercus vacciniifolia (Huckleberry oak chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.414.00]
= Bush Chinquapin Chaparral (#37550) (Holland 1986b)
= Huckleberry Oak Chaparral (#37542) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mixed Montane Chaparral (#37510) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): M.S. Reid after Sawyer et al. (2009)

Author of Description: M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • 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.
  • Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.