Name:
Quercus stellata / Cinna arundinacea Flatwoods Forest
Reference:
Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
Description:
This dry post oak flatwoods type is found in the central midwestern United States. Stands occur on both glaciated and unglaciated areas, with the majority of the range over glacial till of Illinoisan age, to the north of the Ohio River. Stands occur on level or nearly level sites. Soils contain a well-developed subsurface hardpan that is impermeable or nearly impermeable, causing a shallowly perched water table. The soil moisture fluctuates widely throughout the growing season. Depressions may form seasonal or ephemeral (vernal) ponds. The vegetation contains a dominant tree layer with an average canopy cover of 80% or more. Trees may be stunted due to the unfavorable soil conditions. The canopy is typically strongly dominated by Quercus stellata, but may include Quercus alba, Quercus bicolor, Quercus falcata, Quercus marilandica, and, more rarely, Quercus palustris. In Illinois, the shrub and woody vine strata may contain Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Rosa carolina, Rubus allegheniensis, Rubus flagellaris, and Toxicodendron radicans. The shrub strata may not be distinct. The herbaceous layer can be fairly disparate from one stand to the next. Some stands can be dominated by Cinna arundinacea, Chasmanthium latifolium and Eleocharis tenuis var. verrucosa (= Eleocharis verrucosa). Plants more typical of dry and dry-mesic soil grow on slight rises, including Carex festucacea, Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, Helianthus divaricatus, and others. In Kentucky, this community occurs on relatively high flat areas that are no longer flooded, such as ancient Quaternary or Tertiary post-glacial meltwater lakebeds and high terraces of the Upper Gulf Coastal Plain and Shawnee Hills. In addition to the nominal species, the canopy in Kentucky may have Quercus alba and Carya texana. Herbaceous cover is sparse to moderate; leaf litter is the dominant ground cover. A fragipan layer leads to 'xerohydric' conditions. Local dominance in depressions is of wetland species (Juncus, etc.). Dry areas in Kentucky will have Manfreda virginica, Croton willdenowii, Danthonia spicata, Porteranthus stipulatus, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, and Prenanthes aspera (characteristic of open areas). In Kentucky, stands grade downslope into bottomland hardwood forest and cypress swamp and upslope into mesic upland or dry oak-hickory forest.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.20710.QUERCUSSTELLATA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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