Shrubs, 1-2m tall, usually quite dense, lacking the grassy openings of Northern Coastal Scrub (32100) and with greater crown overlap than Coastal Sage Scrubs (32300, 32600, 32700). Shorter than, but often of similar density to the associated Upper Sonoran Mixed Chaparral (37100) and sharing with it several evergreen sclerophylls. Most growth occurs in late winter and spring; flowering is concentrated in spring and early summer, but may continue through most of the year. Some species are relatively inactive during the dry summer and fall, but this is less pronounced than in the Coastal Sage Scrubs. Adapted to fire by crown-sprouting.
SITE FACTORS:
On exposed, often south-facing slopes with shallow, rocky soils. Geographically and environmentally intermediate between Northern Coastal Scrub (32100) and Venturan Coastal Sage Scrub (32300). Intergrades with Upper Sonoran Mixed Chaparral (37100) on locally moister, rocky sites and with Venturan Sage Scrub (32300) in southern San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara counties. This scrub often interdigitates with madrean woodlands and even redwoods on more mesic sites.
DISTRIBUTION:
Common on the ocean side of the Santa Lucia range between Monterey and Pt. Conception, usually below about 2,000 feet.
UPDATE: 11/97
Source: Holland, 1986
Digital Text: NatureBase