More info for the term:
woodlandLittle walnut grows along rocky streambottoms, in canyons and arroyos,
and on first terraces of dry river beds [
30,
36]. It is particularly
common in arroyos of the Chihuahuan Desert [
21]. In southeastern New
Mexico, little walnut grows along waterways that extend from the
foothills out onto the plains [
20]. This plant commonly dominates
narrow riparian forests, which are often characterized by steep
limestone walls, and various river edge or creek bottom communities
[
35,
38]. Many sites have relatively high moisture availability.
Moisture is generally obtained from flowing or ephemeral streams and
flash floods [
14,
30].
Plant associates: Common overstory associates of the Edwards Plateau of
Texas include pecan (Carya illinoensis), Texas persimmon (Diospyros
texana), netleaf hackberry (Celtis reticulata), and live oak (Quercus
virginiana) [
38]. Species such as netleaf hackberry, cedar elm (Ulmus
crassifolia), and littleleaf sumac (Rhus microphylla) are particularly
common on drier sites [
37]. Agarito (Mahonia trifoliolata), Ashe
juniper (Juniperus ashei), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), American
sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), desert willow (Chilopsis linearis),
and Texas persimmon are common components of river edge or riparian
woodland communities [
9,
37,
41].
Soils: Little walnut commonly grows on shallow calcareous or alluvial
soils [
35,
37]. On many sites streambottom habitats are characterized
by gravelly soils, coarse sand, or exposed boulders [
9,
14].
Climate: Little walnut grows in areas which receive less than 7 to 38
inches ( less than 18 cm-72 cm) of precipitation annually [
8,
37].
Elevation: Little walnut grows primarily in valleys at intermediate
elevations [
26]. Generalized elevational ranges by geographic location
are as follows:
Location Elevation Authority
TX-NM 3,950 to 5,250 feet (1,200-1,600 m) Legner and Goeden 1987
NM-TX less than 5,200 feet (< 1,585 m) Cottle 1931