Spatial and temporal relationships between two desert shrubs, Atriplex hymenelytra and Tidestromia oblongifolia in Death Valley, California
Gulmon SL and Mooney HA. 1977. Spatial and temporal relationships between two desert shrubs, Atriplex hymenelytra and Tidestromia oblongifolia in Death Valley, California. Journal of Ecology. 65(3):831-838
Two common perennial shrubs at Death Valley show contrasting water use, different growing seasons, and a considerable difference in life-span. The authors mapped five mixed stands and followed changes for 5 years. Atriplex hymenelytra typically lives for many years, grows during the winter, and subsists on the sparse local rainfall. Tidestromia oblongifolia grows quickly to reproductive age, and lives only about 5 years; during its summer growing season, it uses water stored in the soil, being better equipped to exploit short-term stored water than is Atriplex. Tidestromia loses leaves after fall flowering, and remains dormant during winter. Each of the two species occurs in clumps in Death Valley.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Gulmon, S; Mooney, Harold
- Units
- DEVA
- Keywords
- Arizona honeysweet (Tidestromia oblongifolia), Death Valley National Park CA NV, desertholly (Atriplex hymenelytra), Physiology, Plant Moisture, Plant Studies