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A4166 Brassica tournefortii - Malcolmia africana Ruderal Desert Forbs Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This ruderal forb alliance is dominated by Brassica tournefortii or Malcolmia africana. The alliance is found on low level bottoms at flat or variable aspects, typically on disturbed desert areas of California and Arizona.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Asian Mustard - African Mustard Ruderal Desert Forbs Alliance
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Desert Forbs
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This ruderal forb alliance forms an open herbaceous layer. Dominant herbs include Brassica tournefortii or Malcolmia africana. Associated herbs in one sampled stand include Antheropeas spp., Cryptantha spp., Erodium cicutarium, Gilia spp., Ipomopsis polycladon, Plantago ovata, and Schismus spp. Associated emergent shrubs include Gutierrezia sarothrae. The shrub layer is open and the tree layer, when present, is sparse. The alliance is found on low level bottoms at flat or variable aspects, typically on disturbed desert areas of California and Arizona. Soils are clay loam derived from conglomerate.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by an open herbaceous layer dominated by Brassica tournefortii or Malcolmia africana.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stands of non-native mustards have been observed both in the warm deserts of Arizona and California and in Mediterranean California. For the latter, see ~Avena fatua - Bromus spp. Ruderal Annual Grassland Alliance (A3870)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The alliance forms an open herbaceous layer. The shrub layer is sparse to open. The tree layer and nonvascular plants, when present, are sparse. Dominant herbs include Brassica tournefortii and Malcolmia africana. Other characteristic herbs include Antheropeas spp., Cryptantha spp., Erodium cicutarium, Gilia spp., Ipomopsis polycladon, Plantago ovata, and Schismus spp. The shrub layer is emergent and typically or often includes Gutierrezia sarothrae.
Dynamics: Malcolmia africana dominates the herbaceous layer particularly in disturbed areas, and emergent shrubs and trees may be present at low cover. Highly localized stands occur at Lake Mead, and individuals have been observed in Death Valley. Stands with Brassica tournefortii are beginning to expand into other desert areas, including at Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park. Efforts to control and eradicate current extent are important for limiting the spread and impact of these non-native mustards in these desert parks.
Environmental Description: Stands of this alliance in the Mojave, Colorado, and Sonoran deserts are found in areas disturbed by fire, clearing, and roads. Recurrent disturbance magnifies the abundance of non-native mustards and other non-native annuals. The alliance was sampled once at mid elevation. Soil is clay loam derived from conglomerate. Stands have been observed in Mojave National Preserve with Brassica tournefortii dominant along roadsides (J. Evens pers. obs. 2009), and invasion of Malcolmia africana has recently been observed in Death Valley along roadsides and road construction areas (J. Cipra pers. comm. 2013).
Geographic Range: The alliance is localized at mid elevation in Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona. It is likely to develop in other desert areas without efforts to control its spread.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA?, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.943191
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.90 Honey Mesquite / Red Brome - Lehmann''s Lovegrass Desert Ruderal Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M512 | 3.A.2.Na.90 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.90.a Lehmann''s Lovegrass - Red Brome - Asian Mustard Warm Desert Ruderal Grassland Group | G677 | 3.A.2.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A4166 Asian Mustard - African Mustard Ruderal Desert Forbs Alliance | A4166 | 3.A.2.Na.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Brassica nigra and other mustards (Upland mustards) Semi-natural Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [42.011.00]
>< Brassica nigra and Other Mustards Semi-natural Herbaceous Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
< Brassica nigra and other mustards Herbaceous Semi-Natural Alliance (CNPS 2017) [42.011.00]
>< Brassica nigra and Other Mustards Semi-natural Herbaceous Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
< Brassica nigra and other mustards Herbaceous Semi-Natural Alliance (CNPS 2017) [42.011.00]
- CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2015-2017. A manual of California vegetation [online]. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://vegetation.cnps.org/].
- 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.
- 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.
- VegCAMP and AIS [Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program and Aerial Information Systems, Inc.]. 2013. 2012 California desert vegetation map and accuracy assessment in support of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. Unpublished report to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Renewable Energy Program and the California Energy Commission. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program and Aerial Information Systems, Inc.