Occurrence is on a steep slope rising sharply from the creek below. There are many steep ravines and rock outcrios running vertically throughout area. Upslope the community grades into an oak-hickory forest while either side of the community is bounded by an oak-pine-hickory forest. Downslope, across the creek, the valley is agricultural with scattered houses.;Vegetation occurs in patches across the shale barren depending on microtopography. There are many outcrops where Oenothera argillicola flourishes along with ferns, Eriogonum allenii, Carex, and Cladina. The canopy is fairly open throughout with herbs concentrated in canopy gaps.
Representativeness
Our plot is very representative of this community containing a narrow rock outcrop typical of the site. Other species seen outside the plot include: Trifolium virginicum, Paronychia montana, Houstonia tenuifolia, and Campanula divaricata.
