Flora of the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region

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The flora of the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region is generally characterized by plant adaptations to the arid conditions of the region, and a wide variation of plant communities from wide variations in elevation and soil types.

riparian areas, at springs, and in hanging gardens.[1]
: 3 

Plant communities

Further information: Category: Flora of the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region

Salt desert shrub community

The salt desert shrub is a

Sarcobatus vermiculatus), and Mormon tea (Ephedra viridis).[1]

Blackbrush scrub community

Blackbush scrub,

Coleogyne ramosissima) as the dominant species.[2][3] Blackbush often occurs in pure stands, giving a uniform dark gray appearance to the landscape.[2]In the Colorado Plateau, it occurs across uniformly thin soils.[3]

Sand desert shrub community

The sand desert shrub (SDS) is a

Stipa hymenoides), and wavy leaf oak (Quercus welshii).[1]: 3  A common characteristic of plants in this community is a very deep and extensive root system, which helps stabilize the sand dunes, or an ability to adjust to the shifting sands.[1]: 3  In the Glen Canyon area, it can be found in lower elevation mesas, canyons, and terraces to 4,500 feet (1,400 m) in elevation.[4]

Mixed desert shrub community

Mixed desert shrub is a

cool desert shrub.[1]
: 3 

Pinyon juniper woodland community

Main article:
Pinyon-juniper woodland

The pinyon–juniper plant community covers a large portion of

better source needed
]

Mountain brush community

Mountain brush is a

Ponderosa pine community.[1]: 3  It is characterized by dominance by shrubby Gambel's Oak (Quercus gambelii), Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis), sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), and mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus).[1]
: 3 

Ponderosa pine forest

See also: Sierra Nevada lower montane forest and Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine forest

The Jeffrey pine and the ponderosa pine are common in drier montane areas of the

Sierra Nevada
. They are often confused by casual observers. Across the remainder of the American West, Jeffrey pine is absent, with ponderosa pine being the sole yellow pine.

Jeffrey pine is more stress tolerant than ponderosa pine in the Sierra Nevada. At higher elevations, on poorer (including

ultramafic) soils, in colder climates, and in drier climates, Jeffrey pine replaces ponderosa as the dominant tree (Jeffrey pine forest).[6] Ponderosa pine-dominated forests ("Ponderosa pine forest") occur at elevations from about 300 to 2,100 m (980 to 6,890 ft). Jeffrey pine-dominated forests occur mostly in California, from 1,500 to 2,400 m (4,900 to 7,900 ft) in the north, and 1,700 to 2,800 m (5,600 to 9,200 ft) in the south. The highest elevations are typically on the east side of the Sierra Nevada.[6] "Eastside pine forest" refers to areas of Lassen National Forest, Plumas National Forest, and Tahoe National Forest, all on the east of the Sierra Nevada crest, where ponderosa and Jeffrey pine codominate.[6]

A group of ponderosa pine trees

Ponderosa pine forests occurs on the Colorado Plateau[7] and in the Sierra Nevada[8] of the Western United States, as well as other parts of North America.

One way to distinguish between them is by their cones. Each has barbs at the end of the scales. The sharp Jeffrey pine cone scale barbs point inward, so the cone feels smooth to the palm of one's hand when rubbed down the cone. Ponderosa pine cone scale barbs point outward, so feel sharp and prickly to the palm of one's hands. Another distinguishing characteristic is that the needles of Jeffrey pine are glaucous, less bright green than those of ponderosa pine, and by the stouter, heavier cones with larger seeds and inward-pointing barbs.[9]

Jeffrey pine wood and ponderosa pine wood are sold together as yellow pine.

Janka hardness of 550 lbf (2,400 N)), but the western yellow pine wood is less dense than southern yellow pine wood (28 lb/cu ft (0.45 g/cm3) versus 35 lb/cu ft (0.56 g/cm3) for shortleaf pine).[10]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7627-7013-7
  2. ^ a b c Mojave Desert Wildflowers, Pam Mackay, p18, 252
  3. ^ a b c Canyon Country Wildflowers, Damian Fagan, p 3, 105
  4. ^ Hiking Grand Staircase-Escalante & the Glen Canyon Region, 2nd ed, Ron Adkison
  5. ^ Damian Fagan, Canyon Country Wildflowers, p. 3
  6. ^ a b c Safford, H.D. (2013). "Natural Range of Variation (NRV) for yellow pine and mixed conifer forests in the bioregional assessment area, including the Sierra Nevada, southern Cascades, and Modoc and Inyo National Forests" (PDF). Vallejo, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region.
  7. ISBN 978-0-7627-7013-7
    .
  8. ISBN 0-520-06922-6
    .
  9. ISBN 978-1-4027-3875-3
    .
  10. ^ a b "Jeffrey Pine". The Wood Database.
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