List of plants of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)

The Sierra Nevada, also known locally as the "Sierra", is a mountain range running 400 miles (640 km) north-to-south along eastern California, and occasionally into western Nevada. The name "Sierra Nevada" is Spanish, translating as "Snowy (Mountain) Range".

Geography

The Sierra Nevada's immense size in length and height, geological age, and wide variety of ecosystems and habitats present, make them home to one of the most diverse collections of distinct plant species in the United States. The Sierras are bordered by: the Great Basin in rain shadow on the east; the Cascade Range on the north; the Central Valley—San Joaquin Valley on the west; the Tehachapi Mountains linking the Transverse Ranges on the southwest; and the Mojave Desert on the south.

Phytogeography

In phytogeography, concerned with the geographic distribution of plant species, floristic provinces are used. The Sierra Nevada are primarily within the California Floristic Province, with the Rocky Mountain Floristic Province to the north, the Great Basin Floristic Province to the east, and Sonoran Floristic Province to the south.

Biogeography

Biogeography looks at the spatial and temporal distributions of species. A descending hierarchy is used, with a realms at the top, then biomes, followed by smaller terrestrial ecoregions. The Sierra Nevada are a small part of the North American continental Nearctic realm. The Sierras contain portions of two Nearctic biomes:

Plants and distributions

  • This list of native plants is organized by elevational distribution ranges and their plant communities. Some plants with a broader altitudinal range are found listed in their predominant habitat elevation.
  • All the plant species listed are native to the Sierra's foothills, valleys, and mountains. In addition some are also endemic to here and elsewhere within California - (ca-endemic); and some are further endemic to and only found in the Sierra Nevada - (sn-endemic).

Foothill Woodland and Chaparral Zone

500 to 3,000 feet (200 to 900 m)

Eastern Slopes Great Basin xeric zone

Lower Montane Forest

General Sherman tree (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
2,000 to 6,000 feet (600 to 1,800 m)
Arctostaphylos patula
Carex utriculata, Hamilton Lake, Sequoia National Park

Upper Montane Forest

Berries of the Sierra Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis)
6,000 to 9,000 feet (1,800 to 2,700 m)
Sarcodes sanguinea

Subalpine Zone

Pinus balfouriana
8,000 to 11,000 feet (2,400 to 3,400 m)

Alpine Zone

Polemonium eximium
above 9,000 feet (2,700 m)

See also

References and bibliography

  • Note: references for each plant species are within their own articles.
  • Bibliography of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)
  • "A Natural History of California," Allan A. Schoenherr, University of California Press, 1992, ISBN 0-520-06922-6.
  • "A California Flora and Supplement," Phillip Munz, 1968, University of California Press, ISBN 0-520-02405-2.
  • "The Jepson Manual," James C. Hickman-editor, University of California Press, 2003, ISBN 0-520-08255-9.
  • "Mountain Sage: The Life of Carl Sharsmith, Yosemite Ranger and Naturalist," Elizabeth Stone O'Neill, ISBN 0-939666-47-2.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Sierra Nevada flora (category)
  • Jepson Manual: Sierra Nevada Foothills - flora checklist
  • Jepson Manual: High Sierra Nevada - flora checklist
  • Yosemite Online Library—Natural History Books
  • California Native Plant Society: Identifying Native Plants website
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