Print Report
A4167 Eriogonum wrightii - Eriogonum heermannii - Buddleja utahensis Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Stands have diagnostic presence of Eriogonum wrightii, Eriogonum heermannii, and/or Buddleja utahensis in the shrub layer; other characteristic shrubs at lower cover may include Eriogonum fasciculatum and Prunus fasciculata. The alliance is found in California and Arizona. In desert areas it is found primarily on bedrock outcrops at various aspects and high slopes at east to southeast aspects. It may also occur on flats, ridgetops, and stony slopes on granitic, sedimentary, or serpentine substrates.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bastard-sage - Heermann''s Buckwheat - Utah Butterfly-bush Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Bastard-sage - Heermann''s Buckwheat - Utah Butterfly-bush Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance forms an open shrub layer. The emergent tree layer, when present, is typically sparse, and the herbaceous layer is sparse to open. The stands have diagnostic presence of Eriogonum wrightii, Eriogonum heermannii, and/or Buddleja utahensis in the shrub layer; other characteristic shrubs at lower cover may include Eriogonum fasciculatum and Prunus fasciculata. Shrubs that are often present include Brickellia microphylla, Echinocactus polycephalus, Echinocereus mojavensis, Ericameria linearifolia, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Escobaria vivipara, Gutierrezia microcephala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea, Quercus turbinella, Scopulophila rixfordii, and Yucca schidigera. Juniperus osteosperma is a commonly emergent tree at sparse cover. Dominant and characteristic herbs may include Achnatherum speciosum, Arabis spp., Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum, Descurainia pinnata, Elymus elymoides, Erigeron spp., Erodium cicutarium, Gilia spp., Hymenoxys cooperi, Lesquerella kingii, Lomatium nevadense, Poa secunda, Sphaeralcea ambigua, and Streptanthus cordatus. Cryptogamic crust and moss are often present. The alliance is found in California and Arizona. In desert areas it is found primarily on bedrock outcrops at various aspects and high slopes at east to southeast aspects. It may also occur on flats, ridgetops, and stony slopes on granitic, sedimentary, or serpentine substrates. Elevations range from approximately 950 to 1900 m. Soils are derived from calcareous substrates, including limestone, sandstone with dolostone (dolomite), alluvium, and granodiorite. Textures include clay loam, sandy loam, and silty clay, as well as sandy and gravelly alluvium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by an open shrub layer with diagnostic presence of Eriogonum wrightii, Eriogonum heermannii, and/or Buddleja utahensis. The overall shrub cover ranges from 3 to 15%.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Eriogonum wrightii is an intricate branched low shrub with gray leaves. The species is morphologically variable and widespread in much of California and the Southwest. The species includes six varieties that vary from small, matted perennials to small shrubs; all occupy open habitats: Eriogonum wrightii var. membranaceum grows in southern California from 300 to 2200 m; Eriogonum wrightii var. nodosum grows in hot deserts and Peninsular Ranges from 150 to 1600 m; Eriogonum wrightii var. olanchense grows in Olancha Peak in the southern Sierra Nevada at 3500 m; Eriogonum wrightii var. subscaposum grows in the mountains of much of California from 200 to 3400 m; Eriogonum wrightii var. trachygonum grows in the mountains of northern California from 50 to 800 m; and Eriogonum wrightii var. wrightii grows in the Mojave Desert from 30 to 2300 m.
The sampled stands of Eriogonum wrightii var. subscaposum in the inner Coast Ranges are relatively small (usually <1 ha) and have a similar range as the Juniperus californica alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009). The studies in southern California did not distinguish plants to the variety level. Future sampling should identify plants completely. Varieties overlap in elevation and range, but they may vary in habitat conditions. All varieties are included in this alliance at this time.
Six of the 10 varieties of Eriogonum heermannii grow in California; Eriogonum heermannii var. occidentale has scattered populations in Fresno and San Benito counties in the Central Coast Ranges and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Eriogonum heermannii var. heermannii also occurs in the Central Coast but is more widespread. Other varieties occur on limestone substrates, but, overall, the species occupies many open substrates. Eriogonum heermannii var. heermannii and Eriogonum heermannii var. occidentale are included in this provisional alliance.
The sampled stands of Eriogonum wrightii var. subscaposum in the inner Coast Ranges are relatively small (usually <1 ha) and have a similar range as the Juniperus californica alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009). The studies in southern California did not distinguish plants to the variety level. Future sampling should identify plants completely. Varieties overlap in elevation and range, but they may vary in habitat conditions. All varieties are included in this alliance at this time.
Six of the 10 varieties of Eriogonum heermannii grow in California; Eriogonum heermannii var. occidentale has scattered populations in Fresno and San Benito counties in the Central Coast Ranges and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Eriogonum heermannii var. heermannii also occurs in the Central Coast but is more widespread. Other varieties occur on limestone substrates, but, overall, the species occupies many open substrates. Eriogonum heermannii var. heermannii and Eriogonum heermannii var. occidentale are included in this provisional alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The alliance forms an open shrub layer and the overall shrub cover ranges from 3 to 15% cover. The tree layer, when present, is typically sparse, and the herb layer is sparse to open. Nonvascular plants are typically sparse to open. Stands have diagnostic presence of Eriogonum wrightii, Eriogonum heermannii, and/or Buddleja utahensis, and characteristic presence of Eriogonum fasciculatum and Prunus fasciculata at lower cover. Other shrubs that are often present at lower cover include Brickellia microphylla, Echinocactus polycephalus, Echinocereus mojavensis, Ericameria linearifolia, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Escobaria vivipara, Gutierrezia microcephala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea, Quercus turbinella, Scopulophila rixfordii, and Yucca schidigera. Juniperus osteosperma is a commonly emergent tree at sparse cover. Dominant and/or characteristic herbs include Achnatherum speciosum, Arabis spp., Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum, Descurainia pinnata, Elymus elymoides, Erigeron spp., Erodium cicutarium, Gilia spp., Hymenoxys cooperi, Lesquerella kingii, Lomatium nevadense, Poa secunda, Sphaeralcea ambigua, and Streptanthus cordatus. Cryptogamic crust and moss are often present.
Dynamics: Stands with Eriogonum wrightii, Eriogonum heermannii, and/or Buddleja utahensis occur on nutrient-poor and rocky soils, including calcareous rock outcrops that receive colluvial disturbance.
The fire history is unclear. Since stands tend to occur on slightly shallower and more rocky soil than the adjacent grasslands, fire intensity and frequency are expected to be lower in these more sites. It is unlikely that short fire-return intervals are adaptive for this alliance.
The fire history is unclear. Since stands tend to occur on slightly shallower and more rocky soil than the adjacent grasslands, fire intensity and frequency are expected to be lower in these more sites. It is unlikely that short fire-return intervals are adaptive for this alliance.
Environmental Description: The alliance is found at mid to high elevations (950 to 1900 m) primarily on bedrock outcrops at various aspects and at high elevations on high slopes with east to southeast aspects. Soils are derived from calcareous substrates, including granodiorite, limestone and sandstone with dolostone (dolomite), alluvium, granodiorite. Textures include clay loam, sandy loam, and silty clay.
Geographic Range: The alliance is well-defined in sampling in the Mojave Desert in the northern half of Death Valley National Monument, California. The alliance is also found in the at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in the Black Mountains of Arizona and has been observed in Mojave National Preserve at Clark Mountain. It also occurs in the central Coast Ranges, northern interior Coast Ranges, Great Central Valley, Sierra Nevada and foothills, and southern California mountains and valleys.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.943195
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a Joshua Tree - Eastern Mojave Buckwheat - Rough Joint-fir Mixed Desert Scrub Group | G296 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
| Alliance | A4167 Bastard-sage - Heermann''s Buckwheat - Utah Butterfly-bush Scrub Alliance | A4167 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
| Association | CEGL005467 Prickleleaf Shrubland | CEGL005467 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Eriogonum heermannii - Buddleja utahensis Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
> Eriogonum heermannii (Heermann’s buckwheat patches) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.035.00]
> Eriogonum wrightii (Wright’s buckwheat patches) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.041.00]
> Eriogonum wrightii Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
< California juniper series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Mojave Mixed Woody Scrub (#34210) (Holland 1986b)
>< Upper Sonoran Subshrub Scrub (#39000) (Holland 1986b)
> Eriogonum heermannii (Heermann’s buckwheat patches) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.035.00]
> Eriogonum wrightii (Wright’s buckwheat patches) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.041.00]
> Eriogonum wrightii Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
< California juniper series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Mojave Mixed Woody Scrub (#34210) (Holland 1986b)
>< Upper Sonoran Subshrub Scrub (#39000) (Holland 1986b)
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