Print Report
A4180 Cressa truxillensis - Distichlis spicata Vernal Pool Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Cressa truxillensis and Distichlis spicata are characteristically present and Crypsis schoenoides may be dominant or codominant in the herbaceous layer. This alliance occurs in California at low elevations (0-30 m) on alkaline or saline vernal playas and alkali sinks.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Spreading Alkaliweed - Saltgrass Vernal Pool Alliance
Colloquial Name: Alkaliweed - Saltgrass Vernal Pool
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of open to continuous cover of herbs and subshrubs <50 cm in height. Cressa truxillensis and Distichlis spicata are characteristically present and Crypsis schoenoides may be dominant or codominant in the herbaceous layer with Atriplex persistens, Chamaesyce hooveri, Downingia insignis, Eleocharis macrostachya, Eryngium aristulatum, Eryngium vaseyi, Frankenia salina, Malvella leprosa, Marsilea vestita, Navarretia leucocephala, Neostapfia colusana, Orcuttia pilosa, Phyla nodiflora, Plagiobothrys stipitatus, Plagiobothrys undulatus, Polypogon maritimus, Psilocarphus brevissimus, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Tuctoria greenei, and Tuctoria mucronata. This alliance occurs in California at low elevations (0-30 m) on alkaline or saline vernal playas and alkali sinks. Soils are saline alluvium and seasonally inundated; they lose water mostly through evaporation.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Cressa truxillensis, Crypsis schoenoides, or Distichlis spicata usually abundant in the herbaceous layer; Hordeum marinum, Downingia pulchella, Navarretia prostrata, Plagiobothrys undulatus, Plagiobothrys humistratus, and Myosurus spp. may be present (Barbour et al. 2007b).
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Barbour et al. (2003, 2007b) recognized the Downingia-Lasthenia class that includes California vernal pool vegetation on all geomorphic surfaces, landscapes, and soil types in the Central Valley and adjacent foothills. Within the class, Barbour et al. (2007b) included this alliance of alkali playas and sinks with ~Lasthenia fremontii - Distichlis spicata Vernal Pool Alliance (A4181)$$ of alkali vernal pools, as both contain halophytes. This alliance typically lacks diagnostic vernal pool taxa, such as Lasthenia fremontii, Plagiobothrys stipitatus, and Psilocarphus brevissimus, but it includes rare plants traditionally considered as vernal pool taxa, including Chamaesyce hooveri, Neostapfia colusana, Orcuttia pilosa, Tuctoria greenei, and Tuctoria mucronata (USFWS 2004, CNPS 2007).
Barbour et al. (2007b) recognized several community types that are provisionally placed in this alliance. Surveys representing each type came from only one location, and diagnostic species were unique to each type; usually they were rare species. Most stands also contained a strong presence of the non-native Crypsis schoenoides, and some contain the non-natives Amaranthus albus, Bassia hyssopifolia, and/or Polypogon monspeliensis. Stands appear very similar to those of ~Lasthenia fremontii - Distichlis spicata Vernal Pool Alliance (A4181)$$, but these rare types are included in this alliance until more sampling and data analysis occur.
This alliance may be better placed in ~North American Desert Alkaline-Saline Marsh & Playa Group (G538)$$.
Barbour et al. (2007b) recognized several community types that are provisionally placed in this alliance. Surveys representing each type came from only one location, and diagnostic species were unique to each type; usually they were rare species. Most stands also contained a strong presence of the non-native Crypsis schoenoides, and some contain the non-natives Amaranthus albus, Bassia hyssopifolia, and/or Polypogon monspeliensis. Stands appear very similar to those of ~Lasthenia fremontii - Distichlis spicata Vernal Pool Alliance (A4181)$$, but these rare types are included in this alliance until more sampling and data analysis occur.
This alliance may be better placed in ~North American Desert Alkaline-Saline Marsh & Playa Group (G538)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in California in the Great Central Valley and California South Coast. It also occurs on the Channel Islands.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.943240
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D031 | 2.C.4.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nb.3 Winged Water-starwort - Elegant Calicoflower - California Eryngo Western North American Vernal Pool Macrogroup | M074 | 2.C.4.Nb.3 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nb.3.a Californian Vernal Pool Group | G530 | 2.C.4.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A4180 Spreading Alkaliweed - Saltgrass Vernal Pool Alliance | A4180 | 2.C.4.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cressa truxillensis - Distichlis spicata (Alkali weed - Salt grass playas and sinks) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [46.100.00]
= Cressa truxillensis - Distichlis spicata Herbaceous Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
>< Alkali Meadow (#45310) (Holland 1986b)
>< Northern Claypan Vernal Pool (#44120) (Holland 1986b)
< Northern Claypan Vernal Pool Habitat (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
= Cressa truxillensis - Distichlis spicata Herbaceous Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
>< Alkali Meadow (#45310) (Holland 1986b)
>< Northern Claypan Vernal Pool (#44120) (Holland 1986b)
< Northern Claypan Vernal Pool Habitat (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
- Barbour, M. G., A. I. Solomeshch, and J. J. Buck. 2007b. Classification, ecological characterization, and presence of listed plant taxa of vernal pool associations in California. Report to USDI, Fish and Wildlife Service, Agreement Study No. 814205G238. University of California, Davis. 117 pp. plus 5 tables. [http://www.vernalpools.org/documents/Barbour_et_al_2007.pdf]
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