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Andropogon gerardii - (Calamagrostis canadensis, Panicum virgatum) Herbaceous Alliance | Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
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Name: Andropogon gerardii - (Calamagrostis canadensis, Panicum virgatum) Herbaceous Alliance Reference: Midwestern Ecology Working Group... Description: This alliance, found in central North America, is made up of mesic to wet-mesic tall grasslands. The dominant lifeforms in stands of this alliance are tall grasses, although forbs can be abundant as well. Trees and shrubs can occur as scattered individuals or clumps. Vegetation tends to be dense and between 1.5 and 2 m tall. The dominant species across the range of this alliance is Andropogon gerardii. Other species that are common to abundant throughout the alliance's range are Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex spp., Panicum virgatum, Sorghastrum nutans, and Spartina pectinata. Muhlenbergia richardsonis may be diagnostic of this alliance in the northeastern Great Plains, and Pascopyrum smithii is common in the western portion of this alliance's range. Elymus canadensis is abundant in Wisconsin. Schizachyrium scoparium can be found on sites subject to seasonal drought. Forbs are abundant, especially farther east in this alliance's range. Among these forbs are Asteraceae spp., Helianthus grosseserratus, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Pycnanthemum virginianum, Ratibida columnifera, Ratibida pinnata, Thalictrum dasycarpum, and Zizia aurea. Stands of this widespread alliance occur most frequently on sand to silt loam soils. Some are found on clay loams or silty clays. The sites are typically level to gently sloping, and those with heavier soils often have standing water present in the spring or after heavy rains. Most stands are in the glaciated Midwest and occur on glacial till, outwash, or drift, or on glacial lakeplains. Fires were a common occurrence in stands of this alliance before effective fire suppression activities. In the prolonged absence of fire, woody species usually invade and can become abundant.  Accession Code: VB.CC.18727.ANDROPOGONGERAR Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: Alliance This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Scientific: Andropogon gerardii - (Calamagrostis canadensis, Panicum virgatum) Herbaceous Alliance   Translated: Big Bluestem - (Bluejoint, Switchgrass) Herbaceous Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125379 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.1191