Print Report

A2671 Malacothamnus fasciculatus - Malacothamnus spp. Scrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance includes stands dominated by Malacothamnus aboriginum, Malacothamnus densiflorus, Malacothamnus fasciculatus, and/or Malacothamnus fremontii in post-fire settings of many chaparral and coastal sage scrub locations. They are short-lived, dying within 10-15 years after fire. Stands occur in central to southern California.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mendocino Bushmallow - Bushmallow species Scrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: Californian Bushmallow Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This shrubland alliance includes stands dominated by Malacothamnus aboriginum, Malacothamnus densiflorus, Malacothamnus fasciculatus, and/or Malacothamnus fremontii in post-fire settings. Stands occur in central to southern California below 700 m (2300 feet) in elevation on gentle to steep hillslopes. Soils are rocky gravels to loams and mineral clays. Stands of these shrubs have developed from many types of chaparral and coastal sage scrub after recent fires. The shrubs quickly form a seedbank in soil and duff within the first year of germination and die-off within 10-15 years after fire.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Malacothamnus fasciculatus is typically dominant, though other species, such as Malacothamnus aboriginum, Malacothamnus densiflorus, and Malacothamnus fremontii, can also be dominant.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Various associations of Malacothamnus fasciculatus have been defined from the Santa Monica Mountains region, showing variation in coastal sage scrub to chaparral environments. Over time, the shrubs are overtopped or outlived by other shrubs, such as Adenostoma fasciculatum, Artemisia californica, Salvia leucophylla, and Salvia mellifera.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This shrubland alliance includes stands dominated by Malacothamnus aboriginum, Malacothamnus densiflorus, Malacothamnus fasciculatus, and/or Malacothamnus fremontii.

Dynamics:  Various associations of Malacothamnus fasciculatus have been defined from the Santa Monica Mountains region, showing variation in coastal sage scrub to chaparral environments. Over time, the shrubs are overtopped or outlived by other shrubs such as Adenostoma fasciculatum, Artemisia californica, Salvia leucophylla, and Salvia mellifera.
Environmental Description:  Stands occur below 700 m (2300 feet) in elevation on gentle to steep hillslopes. Soils are rocky gravels to loams and mineral clays.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found on California''s southern and central coast, Channel Islands, and inland along the base of the Transverse and Peninsular ranges, extending south into Baja California, Mexico. It also occurs in the central coastal interior mountains to San Benito County.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  CA, MXBCN


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.a Common Deerweed - Yerba Santa species - Silver Lupine Coastal-Foothill Seral Scrub Group G782 2.B.1.Na.2.a
Alliance A2671 Mendocino Bushmallow - Bushmallow species Scrub Alliance A2671 2.B.1.Na.2.a
Association CEGL003694 Mendocino Bushmallow Shrubland CEGL003694 2.B.1.Na.2.a
Concept Lineage: A.2671

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Malacothamnus fasciculatus (Bush mallow scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [45.450.00]
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
  • Axelrod, D. I. 1978. The origin of coastal sage vegetation, Alto and Baja, California. American Journal of Botany 65:1117-1131.
  • 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., and J. Evens. 2006. Vegetation classification of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and environs in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, California. A report submitted to National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch and The California Native Plant Society, Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
  • 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.
  • Sproul, F., T. Keeler-Wolf, P. Gordon-Reedy, J. Dunn, A. Klein, and K. Harper. 2011. Vegetation classification manual for western San Diego County. AECOM, California Department of Fish and Game, San Diego Area Governments.