Print Report
CEGL005741 Atriplex hymenelytra - Tidestromia oblongifolia Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Desert-holly - Arizona Honeysweet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparse scrub association occurs at low elevations in the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin in California and possibly Nevada. Atriplex hymenelytra and Tidestromia oblongifolia are dominant or codominant and characteristic species in the sparse to open shrub layer (0.6-9% cover). Other shrubs may be present, including Ambrosia dumosa, Larrea tridentata, and Suaeda moquinii. If present, the herbaceous layer is sparse, ranging from 0-5% cover, and mostly composed of annual herbs that respond to seasonal precipitation. Stands are commonly found on alluvial fans/bajadas, dune aprons, and steep colluvium at low elevation (-45 to 362 m). Sites occur on gentle to moderately steep slopes on all aspects. Sites are very hot and dry. Soils are typically coarser-textured such as sand and loam, and are derived from alluvial substrates and less commonly volcanic or sedimentary rock.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
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: Vegetation is characterized by a sparse shrub layer (0.6-9% cover) that is dominated or codominated by Atriplex hymenelytra and Tidestromia oblongifolia (Kurzius 1981, Annable 1985, Evens et al. 2014). Other shrubs may be present, including Ambrosia dumosa, Larrea tridentata, and Suaeda moquinii (Kurzius 1981, Annable 1985, Evens et al. 2014). If present, the herbaceous layer is sparse with up to 5% cover and is mostly composed of annual herbs that respond to seasonal precipitation, such as Anulocaulis annulatus, Atrichoseris platyphylla, Camissonia claviformis, Chamaesyce spp., Chorizanthe rigida, Cryptantha spp., Dalea mollissima, Eremalche rotundifolia, and Geraea canescens (Annable 1985, Evens et al. 2014).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This sparse scrub association in found at low elevations in the Mojave Desert and is common in Death Valley National Park on alluvial fans/bajadas, dune aprons, and steep colluvial slopes (Evens et al. 2014). Elevation ranges from -45 to 362 m. Stands occur on all aspects although drier south and west aspects are most frequent (Evens et al. 2014). Slopes are gentle to moderately steep (to 20°). Soils include sand to loam, and are usually derived from alluvial substrates and sometimes volcanic or sedimentary rock (Evens et al. 2014). Thomas et al. (2004) suggested that Tidestromia oblongifolia becomes common in degraded Atriplex spp. sites.
Geographic Range: The association is found in the Mojave Desert and extends into the Great Basin in California and possibly Nevada with expansive stands occurring on alluvial fans draining into Death Valley and near Dumont Dunes.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, NV?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.971573
Confidence Level: Low
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.6 Ocotillo - Desert-holly - Watson''s Amaranth North American Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M117 | 3.A.2.Na.6 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.6.a Ocotillo - Bear-grass species - Desert-holly Rock Vegetation Group | G569 | 3.A.2.Na.6.a |
| Alliance | A0872 Desert-holly Scrub Alliance | A0872 | 3.A.2.Na.6.a |
| Association | CEGL005741 Desert-holly - Arizona Honeysweet Shrubland | CEGL005741 | 3.A.2.Na.6.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Atriplex hymenelytra - Tidestromea oblongifolia (Sawyer et al. 2009) [36.330.04]
= Atriplex hymenelytra-Tidestromia oblongifolia Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Atriplex hymenelytra-Tidestromia oblongifolia Association (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
= Atriplex hymenelytra/Tidestromia Association (Root 1978)
= Atriplex hymenelytra Association (Annable 1985)
< Atriplex hymenelytra Shrubland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
< Atriplex hymenelytra Shrubland Alliance (Thomas et al. 2004)
= Larrea-Atriplex hymenelytra Association-Type (Kurzius 1981) [includes 2 plots that fit concept]
< Desert Holly Xeromorphic Shrub Vegetation Type (Bradley 1970)
< Saltbush Community (Schramm 1982)
= Atriplex hymenelytra-Tidestromia oblongifolia Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Atriplex hymenelytra-Tidestromia oblongifolia Association (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
= Atriplex hymenelytra/Tidestromia Association (Root 1978)
= Atriplex hymenelytra Association (Annable 1985)
< Atriplex hymenelytra Shrubland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
< Atriplex hymenelytra Shrubland Alliance (Thomas et al. 2004)
= Larrea-Atriplex hymenelytra Association-Type (Kurzius 1981) [includes 2 plots that fit concept]
< Desert Holly Xeromorphic Shrub Vegetation Type (Bradley 1970)
< Saltbush Community (Schramm 1982)
- Annable, C. R. 1985. Vegetation and flora of the Funeral Mountains, Death Valley National Monument. California-Nevada Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, National Park Service/University of Nevada Contribution 016/07. Las Vegas, NV. 188 pp.
- Bradley, W. G. 1970. The vegetation of Saratoga Springs, Death Valley National Monument. Southwest Naturalist 15:111-129.
- 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.
- 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.
- Kurzius, M. 1981. Vegetation and flora of the Grapevine Mountains, Death Valley National Monument, California - Nevada. Unpublished thesis, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
- Peterson, P. M. 1984a. Flora and physiognomy of the Cottonwood Mountains, Death Valley National Monument, California. University of Nevada Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Report CPSU/UNLV 022/06. Las Vegas, NV.
- Root, R. 1978. Unpublished dataset on vegetation of Death Valley National Park, California. Obtained from K. Thomas, USGS-FRESC, Colorado Plateau Field Station, Flagstaff, AZ.
- 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.
- Schramm, D. R. 1982. Floristics and vegetation of the Black Mountains, Death Valley National Monument. Unpublished report prepared for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.