Print Report
A4215 Encelia farinosa Desert Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: The vegetation is a sparse to intermittent shrub layer that is characterized by the dominance of Encelia farinosa. If present, Larrea tridentata has low cover or is restricted to microsites. It occurs in the Mojave Desert.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Brittlebush Desert Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Brittlebush Desert Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: The vegetation is a sparse to intermittent shrub layer that is characterized by the dominance of Encelia farinosa. Other characteristic shrubs include Ambrosia dumosa, Ephedra aspera, Ephedra nevadensis, and Peucephyllum schottii. If present, Larrea tridentata has low cover or is restricted to microsites. Herbaceous cover is sparse and typically composed of annuals such as Eriogonum inflatum, Cryptantha spp., and exotic Schismus spp. This alliance occurs in the Mojave Desert of Arizona, California and Nevada. Stands are found on various landforms, and is often found on south- to west-facing aspects along upper bajadas and lower mountain slopes between 200 and 1000 m elevation. Substrates are usually rocky. Soils are derived from a variety of substrates including alkali-granite (alaskite), alluvium, limestone, volcanic, and sandstone, and textures are variable.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is an early-seral type associated with disturbance or extremely harsh, hot dry rocky sites dominated by Encelia farinosa with Larrea tridentata absent or with low cover in contrast to ~Larrea tridentata - Fouquieria splendens Upper Bajada & Rock Outcrop Desert Scrub Alliance (A3278)$$, which is typical dominated or codominated by Larrea tridentata (J. Evens pers. comm. 2017).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is a sparse to intermittent shrub layer that is characterized by the dominance of Encelia farinosa. Other characteristic shrubs include Ambrosia dumosa, Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata), Ephedra nevadensis, and Peucephyllum schottii. If present, Larrea tridentata has low cover or is restricted to microsites. Herbaceous cover is sparse and typically composed of annuals such as Eriogonum inflatum, Cryptantha spp., and exotic Schismus spp.
Dynamics: This alliance includes early-seral communities and is associated with disturbance. Encelia farinosa is a relatively short-lived shrub that does not tolerate sandy or clay-rich soil. It is often found dominating steep, rocky sites, especially south- to west-facing aspects along upper bajadas and lower mountain slopes with poor-nutrient substrates such as limestone and volcanic parent materials.
Environmental Description: Stands are found on various landforms, and is often found on south- to west-facing aspects along upper bajadas and lower mountain slopes between 200 and 1000 m elevation. Substrates are usually rocky. Soils are derived from a variety of substrates including alkali-granite (alaskite), alluvium, limestone, volcanic, and sandstone, and textures are variable.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Mojave Desert of Arizona, California and Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.958429
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M088 | 3.A.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.b Creosotebush - Burrobush - Brittlebush Desert Scrub Group | G295 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Alliance | A4215 Brittlebush Desert Scrub Alliance | A4215 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL001251 Brittlebush Shrubland | CEGL001251 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL001252 Brittlebush - (Rough Joint-fir, Nevada Joint-fir) Shrubland | CEGL001252 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL005061 Burrobush - Brittlebush Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL005061 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL005749 Brittlebush - Schott''s Pygmy-cedar Desert Shrubland | CEGL005749 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Encelia farinosa (Brittle bush scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.030.00]
= Encelia farinosa Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Encelia farinosa Shrubland 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.
- Evens, J. M., and S. Hartman. 2007. Vegetation survey and classification for the Northern and Eastern Colorado Desert Coordinated Management Plan (NECO). CNPS Vegetation Program, 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.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., S. San, and D. Hickson. 2005. Vegetation classification of Joshua Tree National Park, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, California. Unpublished report to the National Park Service. California Fish and Game and California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., and K. Thomas. 2000. Draft descriptions of vegetation alliances for the Mojave Ecosystem Mapping project. California Natural Diversity Database, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
- 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.
- Thomas, K. A., T. Keeler-Wolf, J. Franklin, and P. Stine. 2004. Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program: Central Mojave vegetation mapping database. U.S. Geological Survey, Western Regional Science Center. 251 pp.