Name:
(Juniperus virginiana) / Schizachyrium scoparium - (Bouteloua curtipendula) Wooded Herbaceous Alliance
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
Perennial grasslands (variously locally called barrens, glades, and/or prairies) dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium, possibly also Bouteloua curtipendula, with a scattered canopy of needle-leaved trees, or mixed needle-leaved evergreen and broad-leaved deciduous trees, particularly one or more of Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii, and/or Quercus stellata. Specimens of Juniperus virginiana are relatively short and compact. The open grown canopy oaks have short trunks, spreading limbs, and rounded crowns with many branches. These trees can be found scattered individually or in isolated clumps and patches. Juniperus ashei may replace Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana in the southwestern-most portion of the alliance's range. The subcanopy is absent or very sparse. Commonly encountered shrubs include Cornus florida, Ulmus alata, Rhus copallinum, and Symphoricarpos orbiculatus. Toxicodendron radicans also displays a shrubby growth form. Herbaceous cover is very uneven, ranging from very dense in some areas to absent in others. Characteristic species include Andropogon gerardii, Bouteloua curtipendula, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Helianthus divaricatus, Manfreda virginica, Silphium spp., Liatris spp., Rudbeckia spp., Sabatia angularis, and Verbesina alternifolia. In the western portion of the alliance's range, some characteristic species may include Rudbeckia missouriensis, Draba reptans, Mentzelia oligosperma, Physalis pumila, Astragalus distortus, Erysimum capitatum, Castilleja purpurea, Lesquerella filiformis, Nothocalais cuspidata, Penstemon cobaea, and Clematis fremontii. Smilax bona-nox and Smilax glauca are the most frequently encountered vines and may form dense mats when present. Aspect is variable; stands occur primarily on south- and southwest-facing slopes. Soils which support stands of this alliance are stony, shallow to moderately deep, neutral to alkaline, and primarily composed of weathered mineral matter, loess, and organic debris which collects in cracks and crevices of the bedrock. Parent material is limestone rock, cherty limestone, dolomite, or calcareous shale which is exposed at the surface, resulting in a very shallow, well-drained substrate. The soils may contain a homogenous mixture of rock fragments of various sizes. Organic matter is low, and there is little or no horizon development. These soils are nutrient poor, and are extremely susceptible to erosion, partly due to freeze-thaw and subsequent mass wasting. Although predominantly droughty and excessively drained, these sites can be seasonally wet, and water is occasionally ponded in shallow depressions.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.20725.JUNIPERUSVIRGIN
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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