Print Report

CEGL007381 Tsuga mertensiana - (Abies amabilis, Abies lasiocarpa) / Luzula glabrata Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Hemlock - (Pacific Silver Fir, Subalpine Fir) / Smooth Woodrush Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: The canopy is dominated by Tsuga mertensiana, Abies lasiocarpa, and/or Abies amabilis. Tsuga mertensiana is always present and typically occupies over 10% cover. The shrub layer varies from sparse to moderate. Vaccinium membranaceum is usually present to prominent. The well-developed herb layer is dominated by Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii. Several forbs may be prominent, especially Arnica latifolia, Rubus lasiococcus, Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus, Lupinus latifolius, and Valeriana sitchensis. Arnica latifolia is usually present. This association occurs in the Cascade Range of Oregon and Washington and possibly northern California. This open forest or woodland occurs at high elevations. Sites tend to be upper slopes or ridgetops but can occur on a variety of positions and aspects. It often occurs adjacent to or as patches within the subalpine parkland.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The former broader Tsuga mertensiana / Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Forest (CEGL000505) was archived and split into two types: this Cascades type, ~Tsuga mertensiana - (Abies amabilis, Abies lasiocarpa) / Luzula glabrata Woodland (CEGL007381)$$ (CA?, OR, WA) and a Rocky Mountains type, ~Tsuga mertensiana / Luzula glabrata Forest (CEGL007383)$$ (ID, MT).

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 forest association occurs in the Cascade Range of Washington, Oregon and possibly northern California.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA?, OR, WA


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 1 Forest & Woodland Class C01 1
Subclass 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass S15 1.B
Formation 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation F008 1.B.2
Division 1.B.2.Nd Vancouverian Forest & Woodland Division D192 1.B.2.Nd
Macrogroup 1.B.2.Nd.4 California Red Fir - Mountain Hemlock - Sierra Lodgepole Pine Forest Macrogroup M025 1.B.2.Nd.4
Group 1.B.2.Nd.4.c Mountain Hemlock - Pacific Silver Fir - Alaska-cedar Wood Group G849 1.B.2.Nd.4.c
Alliance A3726 Pacific Silver Fir - Mountain Hemlock - Subalpine Fir Cascadian Forest & Woodland Alliance A3726 1.B.2.Nd.4.c
Association CEGL007381 Mountain Hemlock - (Pacific Silver Fir, Subalpine Fir) / Smooth Woodrush Woodland CEGL007381 1.B.2.Nd.4.c
Concept Lineage: CEGL000505 was split into a Cascades type (CEGL007381) and Rocky Mountains type (CEGL007383).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Abies lasiocarpa/Xerophyllum tenax-Luzula hitchcockii Association (John et al. 1988)
= Tsuga mertensiana - (Abies amabilis, Abies lasiocarpa) / Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Woodland (DiPaolo et al. 2018)
= Tsuga mertensiana-(Abies amabilis-Abies lasiocarpa)/Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Woodland (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_300]
= Tsuga mertensiana-(Abies amabilis-Abies lasiocarpa)/Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Woodland (Crawford et al. 2009) [PNWCOAST_300]
= Tsuga mertensiana/Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii-PNW (McCain and Diaz 2002b)
> Tsuga mertensiana/Luzula hitchcockii Association (Lillybridge et al. 1995)
> Tsuga mertensiana/Luzula hitchcockii Association (John et al. 1988)
> Tsuga mertensiana/Luzula hitchcockii Association (Diaz et al. 1997)
= Tsuga mertensiana/Luzula hitchcockii-EWA (Lillybridge et al. 1995)
= Tsuga mertensiana/Luzula hitchcockii-GP (Diaz et al. 1997)
Concept Author(s): D. Meidinger et al. (2005)

Author of Description: Crawford et al. (2009)

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-28-18
  • Crawford, R. C., C. B. Chappell, C. C. Thompson, and F. J. Rocchio. 2009. Vegetation classification of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic national parks. Plant association descriptions and identification keys: Appendices A-G. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCCN/NRTR--2009/D-586. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 586 pp.
  • DiPaolo, D. A., D. C. Odion, K. M. Rolih, P. Adamus, and D. A. Sarr. 2018. Vegetation classification and mapping: Crater Lake National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/CRLA/NRR--2018/1663. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 550 pp.
  • Diaz, N. M., C. T. High, T. K. Mellen, D. E. Smith, and C. Topik. 1997. Plant association and management guide for the mountain hemlock zone. Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests. Technical Report R6-MTH-GP-TP-08-95. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 111 pp.
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  • John, T., D. Tart, and R. Clausnitzer. 1988. Forest associations of the Yakama Indian Reservation. Draft. Yakama Indian Nation. Toppenish, WA. 133 pp.
  • Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
  • Lillybridge, T. R., B. L. Kovalchik, C. K. Williams, and B. G. Smith. 1995. Field guide for forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-359. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 335 pp.
  • McCain, C., and N. M. Diaz. 2002b. Field guide to the forested plant associations of the westside central Cascades of northwest Oregon. Willamette N.F., USFS; Mt. Hood N.F., USFS; Salem District, BLM; Eugene District, BLM. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-02-02. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
  • Meidinger, D., C. Chappell, C. Cadrin, G. Kittel, C. McCain, K. Boggs, J. Kagan, G. Cushon, A. Banner, and T. DeMeo. 2005. International Vegetation Classification of the Pacific Northwest: International correlation of temperate coastal forest plant associations of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Contributors: B.C. Ministry of Forests, USDA Forest Service, B.C. Conservation Data Centre, Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, and Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center.
  • Schuller, S. R. 1978. Vegetation ecology of selected mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) communities along the eastern High Cascades, Oregon. Unpublished thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 79 pp.
  • WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
  • Williams, C. K., and B. G. Smith. 1990. Forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. Unpublished draft prepared by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 217 pp.