Similar to big sagebrush scrub, but dominated by Artemisia cana, and the relatively large bunchgrass Elymus cinereus. Other salt tolerant species (e.g. Sarcobatus vermiculatus) may be present, and increase in abundance toward bottom of basins which this type occurs in.
SITE FACTORS:
More finely drained soils with higher salt content than where big sagebrush occurs. Pluvial lakebeds on the Modoc Plateau. Soil surface horizons are saturated by spring accumulations of snowmelt runoff, which forms a perched water table over slowly permeable lower horizons. Elevations slightly above Desert Greasewood Scrub.
DISTRIBUTION:
Modoc Plateau, north, south and east of Honey Lake. Surprise Valley. Silver Sagebrush dominates, with different associated species, in most of bottomland area of Monanche and Templeton meadows, the largest "meadows" (potential meadow systems) in the Sierra Nevada.
Source: California Gap Analysis Project, Dennis Odion