Print Report
A4164 Cladium californicum Alkaline Seep Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance forms an intermittent to continuous herbaceous layer dominated by Cladium californicum. This alliance is found in southern California and Nevada in alkali springs along slopes and alkali washes with carbonate rock water discharges at low elevation.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Sawgrass Alkaline Seep Alliance
Colloquial Name: California Sawgrass Alkaline Seep
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance forms an intermittent to continuous herbaceous layer. The shrub layer is open and the tree layer, when present, is sparse. The dominant herb is Cladium californicum, and other herbs include Anemopsis californica, Cirsium neomexicanum, Distichlis spicata, Eleocharis rostellata, Juncus arcticus, Samolus valerandi ssp. parviflorus, Schoenoplectus americanus, and Solidago spectabilis. Associated emergent shrubs at sparse to open cover and include Pluchea sericea, Allenrolfea occidentalis, and Vitis arizonica. This alliance is found in southern California and Nevada. Stands occur in alkali springs along slopes and alkali washes with carbonate rock water discharges at low elevation. Elevation ranges from approximately 220 to 440 m. Soils are alluvium or derived from sandstone.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by a continuous herbaceous layer dominated by Cladium californicum. Other herbs present may include Anemopsis californica, Cirsium neomexicanum, Distichlis spicata, Eleocharis rostellata, Juncus arcticus, Samolus valerandi ssp. parviflorus, Schoenoplectus americanus, and Solidago spectabilis. The overall herbaceous cover ranges from 85 to 97%.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stands of Cladium californicum are rare and occur in a matrix with other wetland herbaceous and shrubland vegetation. The placement of this alliance in the NVC hierarchy is uncertain because of its rarity and discontinuous distribution in desert seeps and spring-fed washes of Arizona to California and Nevada.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The alliance forms a continuous herbaceous layer and the overall herbaceous cover ranges from 85 to 97% cover. The shrub layer is sparse to open. The tree layer and nonvascular plants, when present, are sparse. The dominant herb is Cladium californicum; other herbs present may include Anemopsis californica, Cirsium neomexicanum, Distichlis spicata, Eleocharis rostellata, Juncus arcticus, Samolus valerandi ssp. parviflorus, Schoenoplectus americanus, and Solidago spectabilis. The shrub layer is emergent, sparse, and can include Pluchea sericea, Allenrolfea occidentalis, and Vitis arizonica.
Dynamics: Cladium californicum is tolerant of alkalinity, occurring along alkali springs and washes with calcareous water discharges as small stands in fine-scale mosaics with other herbs, shrubs and trees. However, it also is found in freshwater seeps, along with Schoenoplectus americanus.
Environmental Description: The alliance occurs at low elevations (approximately 220 to 440 m) at alkali springs along slopes and alkali washes, which have water discharges from carbonate rock aquifers. Soils are alluvium or derived from sandstone.
Geographic Range: The alliance is known from low elevations at Death Valley, California, including at Ratatat Spring, at Rogers Wash near Echo Bay in Lake Mead National Recreation area in Nevada, and at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.943176
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.5 Salt Marsh Formation | F035 | 2.C.5 |
| Division | 2.C.5.Nd North American Western Interior Brackish Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Division | D036 | 2.C.5.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.5.Nd.1 Warm & Cool Desert Alkali-Saline Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Macrogroup | M082 | 2.C.5.Nd.1 |
| Group | 2.C.5.Nd.1.a Saltgrass - Lemmon''s Alkali Grass - Saltwort species Alkaline-Saline Marsh & Playa Group | G538 | 2.C.5.Nd.1.a |
| Alliance | A4164 California Sawgrass Alkaline Seep Alliance | A4164 | 2.C.5.Nd.1.a |
| Association | CEGL009683 California Sawgrass Seep | CEGL009683 | 2.C.5.Nd.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cladium californicum (provisional) Herbaceous Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
- 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.
- 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.