Name:
Quercus marilandica - (Juniperus virginiana) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Danthonia spicata Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
Description:
This graminoid shale glade community is found in the central United States, particularly in the Interior Low Plateau region, as well as scattered sites in central Missouri. Stands occur on moderate to steep, upper slopes of knobs and ridges. Aspect is typically southern or western. Parent material is shale, often interbedded in sandstone or limestone. Bedrock occurs on the surface as outcrops, level benches, and escarpments composed of brittle, finely laminated, compact shale. The substrate of Indiana occurrences is described as siltstone. Soil is moderately to strongly acid, shallow, and very well-drained (dry to xeric). Trees can be found scattered or in isolated clumps and patches throughout the occurrence, along with a few saplings and shrubs. Quercus marilandica and Quercus stellata are the dominant trees (Quercus prinus is dominant in Indiana examples), and Pinus virginiana or other Quercus spp. may also be found in some examples. Vaccinium arboreum, Rhus aromatica and Ulmus alata may be common on some sites. Vaccinium pallidum and Gaylussacia baccata are common in Indiana examples. Ohio stands also contain Cercis canadensis, Amelanchier arborea, Frangula caroliniana (= Rhamnus caroliniana), Rosa carolina, and Vaccinium stamineum. Schizachyrium scoparium and Danthonia spicata dominate the herbaceous layer, along with a diverse assemblage of forbs. Missouri examples contain Astragalus distortus, Dalea purpurea, Porteranthus stipulatus, and Psoralidium tenuiflorum. The herbaceous flora of Indiana Interior Low Plateau examples (Siltstone Glades) includes Agalinis sp., Symphyotrichum patens (= Aster patens), Symphyotrichum shortii (= Aster shortii), Brickellia eupatorioides (= Kuhnia eupatorioides), Cunila origanoides, Dichanthelium depauperatum, Euphorbia corollata, Helianthus sp., Hypericum crux-andreae, Hypericum hypericoides, Liatris squarrosa, Manfreda virginica, Porteranthus stipulatus, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Tephrosia virginiana. Some woody plants recorded at these sites include Pinus virginiana, Quercus prinus, Quercus stellata, Quercus marilandica, and Juniperus virginiana. In Ohio, Carex hirsutella, Agrostis perennans, Allium cernuum, Sericocarpus asteroides (= Aster paternus), Agalinis tenuifolia (= Gerardia tenuifolia), Houstonia canadensis (= Hedyotis canadensis), and Lithospermum canescens, among others, may occur. Lichens and mosses occur in profusion on exposed bedrock surfaces and on soils not covered with organic debris (leaf litter, wood).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.19168.QUERCUSMARILAND
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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