Ecophysiology of the temperate desert halophytes: Allenrolfea occidentalis and Sarcobatus vermiculatus

Numerous basins of the intermountain area often have extensive playa surfaces that are nearly devoid of vegetation. Margins of these playas support sparse communities dominated by chenopod shrubs Allenrolfea occidentalis (iodine bush) and Sacrobatus vermiculatus (black greasewood). These plants establish and persist in an environment where halomorphic soils induce extreme osmotic stress and atmospheric precipitation is very low and erratic and occurs largely during the winter when temperatures are too low for growth. We measured net CO2 assimilation rates, leaf conductances, transpiration rates, water-use efficiencies, and stem xylem potentials for these two C3 species. Data were collected in above-average (1991)...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation, Journal Citation; Tags: Western North American Naturalist, black greasewood, conductance, iodine bush, photosynthesis, All tags... salt desert, transpiration, water potential, water-use effiency, Fewer tags