Releve Virginia Division of Natural Heritage, see http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/nh_plotform_instructions.pdf
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Observation Area
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
25
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This rocky, south facing slope supports woodland vegetation dominated by Fraxinus americana, Cercis canadensis var. canadensis, Muhlenbergia sobolifera, Phacelia dubia var. dubia, Elymus hystrix var. hystrix and other species characteristic of dry, base rich soils. Trees here are stunted and somewhat gnarled, forming a very open stand. The origin of several exotic weeds in the plot is uncertain, since it is doubtful whether homesteads or agricultural activities were located nearby. The cover of Phacelia dubia var. dubia was estimated conservatively based on the abundance of dry inflorescence remnants visible in the plot; in all likelihood the actual vernal cover of this species probably exceeds 25%.
Plot location: Shenandoah NP. Just north of Knob Mountain Cut-off Trail ca. 0.3 mi. ESE of its jct. with the Knob Mountain Trail.