Print Report
A4216 Sphaeralcea ambigua - Sphaeralcea coccinea - Sphaeralcea parvifolia Dry Meadow Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This herbaceous alliance occurs in the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert and is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer (5-24% cover) that is dominated or codominated by Sphaeralcea ambigua with a variety of other forbs and scattered grasses present
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Desert Globemallow - Scarlet Globemallow - Small-leaf Globemallow Dry Meadow Alliance
Colloquial Name: Globemallow Dry Meadow
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This herbaceous alliance occurs in the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert and is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer (5-24% cover) that is dominated or codominated by Sphaeralcea ambigua with a variety of other forbs and scattered grasses present. The amount of Sphaeralcea ambigua depends on site conditions and time since disturbance, ranging from 5-20% cover. Erigeron divergens, Heliomeris multiflora, and Penstemon linarioides are common associates on burned sites. Other associates include Antheropeas spp., Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum inflatum, Eriogonum nidularium, Salvia columbariae, and invasive exotics Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum, and Erodium cicutarium. Perennial grasses such as Achnatherum speciosum, Elymus elymoides, and Sporobolus cryptandrus may be present at very low covers. Depending on sites, occasional emergent trees, shrubs or dwarf-shrubs may be present, such as Juniperus osteosperma, Pinus monophylla, Quercus chrysolepis, Yucca brevifolia, Lycium andersonii, Thamnosma montana, or Gutierrezia sarothrae. Stands occur on plateaus, valley bottoms, and sideslopes at mid to upper elevations (750-1875 m). Slopes are gentle to somewhat steep (1-25°). It is found primarily on low to mid slopes with various aspects. Soils are normally moderately well-drained, range between silt, loam or sand, and are derived from sandstone or igneous substrates such as granodiorite or rhyolite.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by dominance or codominance of Sphaeralcea ambigua in the herbaceous layer.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This herbaceous alliance is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer (5-24% cover) that is dominated or codominated by Sphaeralcea ambigua with a variety of other forbs and scattered grasses present. The amount of Sphaeralcea ambigua depends on site conditions and time since disturbance, ranging from 5-20% cover. Erigeron divergens, Heliomeris multiflora, and Penstemon linarioides are common associates on burned sites. Other associates include Antheropeas spp., Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum inflatum, Eriogonum nidularium, Salvia columbariae, and invasive exotics Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum, and Erodium cicutarium. Perennial grasses such as Achnatherum speciosum, Elymus elymoides, and Sporobolus cryptandrus may be present at very low covers. Depending on sites, occasional emergent trees, shrubs or dwarf-shrubs may be present, such as Juniperus osteosperma, Pinus monophylla, Quercus chrysolepis, Yucca brevifolia, Lycium andersonii, Thamnosma montana, or Gutierrezia sarothrae.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands occur on plateaus, valley bottoms, and sideslopes at mid to upper elevations (750-1875 m). Slopes are gentle to somewhat steep (1-25°). It is found primarily on low to mid slopes with various aspects. Soils are normally moderately well-drained, range between silt, loam or sand, and are derived from sandstone or igneous substrates such as granodiorite or rhyolite.
Geographic Range: This herbaceous alliance occurs in the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert in Arizona, California and Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.958434
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.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.c James'' Galleta - Indian Ricegrass - Needle-and-Thread Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G311 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A4216 Desert Globemallow - Scarlet Globemallow - Small-leaf Globemallow Dry Meadow Alliance | A4216 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL005366 (Scarlet Globemallow, Small-flower Globemallow) Grassland | CEGL005366 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.