Kaibab East Monocline

Coryphantha vivipara	Eriogonum jonesii	Pediocactus paradinei

Coordinating Botanist: Wendy Hodgson

Status: In Progress

Started: 2011

Taxa List

The Kaibab East Monocline is characterized by a generally east-facing low-angled slope, dissected by several steep drainages/canyons, most of which associated with ephemeral or permanent springs, such as North, South, Burro, Rock and Tater springs. The substrate is primarily Kaibab Limestone and the vegetation is characterized as Great Basin Juniper woodland. Elevation surveyed ranged from approximately 5800 feet to 7200 feet. The over-story is dominated by scattered Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and pinon pine (Pinus edulis); a subcanopy consists of such shrubs as Purshia stansburiana, Ephedra viridis, Rhus trilobata, Glossopetalon spinescens, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, Artemisia spp., including A. tridentata, Cercocarpus intricatus and C. montanus. Bouteloua gracilis is by far the most important and common herbaceous species, and is augmented by several species of Eriogonum, Amaranthus, Chenopodium, Artemisia, Chrysothamnus, Ericameria, Dieteria, Physaria, Astragalus, Mirabilis and Penstemon. Leaf and stem succulents are well represented in this area, supporting species of Phemeranthus, Portulaca, Echinocereus, Opuntia, Cylindropuntia, Coryphantha, Agave, Yucca and of course, Pediocactus.

Approximately 420 collections representing 158 taxa in 109 genera and 39 families were documented from the Kaibab East Monocline area. The families with the largest number of documented taxa are Asteraceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae, Fabaceae and Cactaceae. Five species that are near endemic or endemic to Arizona and considered rare or of interest were documented: Eriogonum jonesii S. Wats.; Physaria kingii (Wats.) O’Kane & Al-Shehbazs ssp. kaibabensis (Rollins) O’Kane; Astragalus subcinereus A. Gray; Eriogonum heermannii Dur. & Hilg. var. argense (M. E. Jones) Munz; and Pediocactus paradinei B. W. Benson, found within the area designated as the Pediocactus paradinei/Kaibab East Monocline Study Area.