Name:
Juniperus virginiana - Fraxinus americana - Carya glabra / Carex pensylvanica - Cheilanthes lanosa Woodland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This barren community occurs on steep slopes underlain by calcareous sedimentary, metasedimentary, and metamorphic rocks of the central Appalachians. Soils are derived from calcareous shales of the Jennings and Hampshire Shale formations in the Ridge and Valley province, and from metabasalt of the Catoctin Formation on the northern Blue Ridge. Similar vegetation has also been reported from steep, rocky slopes underlain by Harpers Formation metasiltstone and phyllite on the Blue Ridge. Habitats are on steep, southeast - to southwest-facing slopes at elevations from 170 to 580 m (550-1900 feet). On sites underlain by shale, soils are thin but generally better developed than other shale barren associations. Metabasalt sites typically have high cover (about 50%) of exposed bedrock outcrops with some areas of shallow soil development. Soils from both substrates have high calcium levels; those weathered from metabasalt also have high magnesium and manganese levels. A patchy overstory of stunted trees may ameliorate to some degree the otherwise xeric conditions imposed by exposure and slope. Canopy closure is usually less than 30%, occasionally higher, and tends to be patchy, with herbaceous openings. Shrubs are sparse at most known locations. The herbaceous layer forms 25-90% ground cover. The canopy is codominated by Juniperus virginiana and Fraxinus americana, with other associates including Carya glabra, Quercus prinus, Celtis tenuifolia, Amelanchier arborea, Quercus rubra, and Pinus virginiana. Rhus aromatica is a characteristic shrub. The herbaceous layer is very diverse. Carex pensylvanica is constant and dominant. Danthonia spicata is frequent but sparse. Other characteristic species include Cheilanthes lanosa, Woodsia obtusa, Phacelia dubia, Deschampsia flexuosa, Solidago arguta var. harrisii (= Solidago harrisii), Schizachyrium scoparium, Phlox subulata, Silene antirrhina, Elymus hystrix (= Hystrix patula), Tradescantia virginiana, Helianthus divaricatus, Polygonum scandens var. cristatum, Polygonatum biflorum, Triodanis perfoliata, Pycnanthemum incanum, Allium cernuum, and Arenaria serpyllifolia.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18730.JUNIPERUSVIRGIN
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
