Name:
Sorghastrum nutans - Andropogon glomeratus - Silphium laciniatum Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This mesic blackland prairie community occurs in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas along the lower slopes and areas of relatively high soil moisture. Seepage is common along the lower slopes during periods of high rainfall. Water may 'pond' briefly in localized depressions due to the tight soils. Vegetation is typically thick, 6 feet tall or greater. This community becomes shrubby with fire suppression. Animals create bare areas for use as mineral licks. Fuel accumulation is rapid. Dominant species include Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon glomeratus, and Silphium laciniatum. Other herbaceous species include Acacia angustissima (rare?), Centrosema virginianum, Chamaecrista fasciculata, Dalea purpurea, Desmanthus illinoensis, Eryngium yuccifolium, Eupatorium altissimum, Helianthus grosseserratus, Ruellia humilis, Schizachyrium scoparium, Scirpus pendulus, Silphium integrifolium, Oligoneuron rigidum, Tragia urticifolia, Tripsacum dactyloides, Vernonia baldwinii, and Vernonia missurica. The non-natives Lespedeza cuneata, and Melilotus officinalis can be abundant in disturbed areas. Woody species, including Sideroxylon lanuginosum (= Bumelia lanuginosa), Berchemia scandens, Cercis canadensis var. canadensis, Cornus florida, Diospyros virginiana, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii, Rhus glabra, Smilax bona-nox, and Smilax rotundifolia, occur locally during periods of fire suppression, colonizing and growing faster than in the drier blackland prairie communities. High-quality examples of this community type exist at the Terre Noire Natural Area and southern end of the International Paper Blackland Prairie. Additional high quality examples are located on the Keadle, Brewer, and McElhannon tracts. The type location is in Clark County, Arkansas. Other examples can be found in Howard and Hempstead counties and should be found in Little River, Nevada, and Sevier counties, Arkansas.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.20376.SORGHASTRUMNUTA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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