A dense, broadleafed, winter-deciduous riparian forest dominated by Populus fremontii and Salix goodingii. Understories are dense, with abundant vegetative reproduction of canopy dominants. Vitis californica is the most conspicuous liana. Scattered seedlings and saplings of shade-tolerant species such as Acer negundo var. californica or Fraxinus latifolia may be found, but frequent flooding prevents their reaching into the canopy.
SITE FACTORS:
Fine-grained alluvial soils near perennial or nearly-perennial streams that provide subsurface irrigation even when the channel is dry. These sites are inundated yearly during spring, resulting in annual input of nutrients, soil, and new germination sites. Intergrades at sites higher and farther from the river with Great Valley Mixed Riparian Forest (61420); and with Great Valley Willow Scrub (63410) on sites closer to the river that are subject to more severe flooding disturbance.
DISTRIBUTION:
Formerly extensive along the major low-gradient (depositional) streams throughout the Great Valley, but now reduced to scattered, isolated remnants or young stands because of flood control, water diversion, agricultural development, and urban expansion; typically below about 1,000 feet in the north, 3000 feet in the south.
UPDATE: 11/97
Source: Holland, 1986
Digital Text: NatureBase