Print Report

A4053 Eriogonum ovalifolium - Fallugia paradoxa - Andropogon hallii Lava & Cinder Sparse Vegetation Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of woody, scrub and subshrub-dominated sparse vegetation (<10% cover) with species such as Artemisia filifolia, Atriplex canescens, Ephedra spp., Eriogonum corymbosum, Eriogonum ovalifolium, and/or Fallugia paradoxa. This alliance occurs in the intermountain western U.S. on lava flows, cinder fields, and sand dunes.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Cushion Buckwheat - Apache Plume - Sand Bluestem Lava & Cinder Sparse Vegetation Alliance

Colloquial Name: Intermountain Basins Lava & Cinder Sparse Vegetation

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of woody, scrub and subshrub-dominated sparse vegetation (<10% cover) with either trees such as Pinus ponderosa, Pinus flexilis, or Juniperus spp. or shrubs such as Artemisia filifolia, Atriplex canescens, Ephedra spp., Eriogonum corymbosum, Eriogonum ovalifolium, and/or Fallugia paradoxa. The grass Andropogon hallii may be dominant (yet sparse) on some sites. Other forbs present may include Chaenactis douglasii, Cryptantha interrupta, Machaeranthera canescens, Phacelia hastata, Stephanomeria minor, and Pleiacanthus spinosus. Allium simillimum, Lewisia rediviva, Mimulus nanus, and Mimulus suksdorfii may be present in the spring. This alliance occurs in the intermountain western U.S. Sites are lava flows, cinder fields and sand dunes. Volcanic substrates include basalt lava and dikes with associated colluvium, basalt cliff faces and uplifted "backbones," tuff, and cinder cones or cinder fields. It may occur as large-patch, small-patch and linear (dikes) spatial patterns.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Other associations occur on volcanic substrates throughout the western U.S., and are placed into other groups and alliances. This alliance is restricted to sparsely vegetated situations, but distinguishing it from others where the vegetation is more dense may be difficult. Rules will need to be determined.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance has sparsely vegetated (<10%) vascular cover and includes conifer trees, evergreen and deciduous shrubs, subshrubs, and graminoids.

Floristics: Stands have either trees such as Pinus ponderosa, Pinus flexilis, or Juniperus spp. or shrubs such as Artemisia filifolia, Atriplex canescens, Ephedra spp., Eriogonum corymbosum, Eriogonum ovalifolium, and/or Fallugia paradoxa. The grass Andropogon hallii may be dominant (yet sparse) on some sites. Other forbs present may include Chaenactis douglasii, Cryptantha interrupta, Machaeranthera canescens, Phacelia hastata, Stephanomeria minor (= Stephanomeria tenuifolia), and Pleiacanthus spinosus (= Stephanomeria spinosa). Allium simillimum, Lewisia rediviva, Mimulus nanus, and Mimulus suksdorfii may be present in the spring.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the intermountain western U.S. and is limited to barren and sparsely vegetated volcanic substrates. It occurs in Montana along the Rocky Mountain Front (east of the Continental Divide).

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class C03 3
Subclass 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass S11 3.B
Formation 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation F033 3.B.1
Division 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division D040 3.B.1.Ne
Macrogroup 3.B.1.Ne.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup M118 3.B.1.Ne.6
Group 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group G570 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Alliance A4053 Cushion Buckwheat - Apache Plume - Sand Bluestem Lava & Cinder Sparse Vegetation Alliance A4053 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL001401 Cushion Buckwheat Dwarf-shrubland CEGL001401 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002785 Sand Bluestem Colorado Plateau Open Rock Vegetation CEGL002785 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002929 Ponderosa Pine - (Quaking Aspen) / Apache Plume - (Rockspirea) Lava Bed Sparse Vegetation CEGL002929 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL005803 Crispleaf Buckwheat Cinder Sparse Vegetation CEGL005803 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL005806 Apache Plume - (Fourwing Saltbush, Torrey''s Joint-fir) Cinder Shrubland CEGL005806 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL005807 One-seed Juniper Cinder Open Scrub Rock Vegetation CEGL005807 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): M.S. Reid, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • Day, T. A. 1985. Plant association and soil factors in primary succession on cinder cones in Idaho. Unpublished thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow. 62 pp.
  • Day, T. A., and R. G. Wright. 1985. The vegetation types of Craters of the Moon National Monument. Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin No. 38. University of Idaho, Moscow. 6 pp.
  • 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.
  • Hansen, M., J. Coles, K. A. Thomas, D. Cogan, M. Reid, J. Von Loh, and K. Schulz. 2004c. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Sunset Crater National Monument, Arizona, vegetation classification and distribution. U.S. Geological Survey Technical Report. Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ. 188 pp.
  • Reid, M. S., L. S. Engelking, and P. S. Bourgeron. 1994. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, Western Region. Pages 305-620 in: D. H. Grossman, K. L. Goodin, and C. L. Reuss, editors. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, an initial survey. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.