Name:
Quercus rubra / Ostrya virginiana / Ptelea trifoliata - Ribes curvatum / Helianthus divaricatus Woodland
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
Stands of this association are open, short (5-10 m tall), submesic Quercus rubra-dominated woodlands on sharp, narrow ridges of novaculite outcroppings in the central Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas. The canopy is strongly dominated by Quercus rubra and Carya texana and can approach a forest physiognomy. Other trees that form a minor canopy component, but may be scattered throughout, include Carya ovalis, Pinus echinata, Quercus alba, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus stellata (can be locally dominant), and Ulmus alata. The understory is dominated by Ostrya virginiana and Diospyros virginiana. Other understory trees may include Acer rubrum, Amelanchier arborea, Celtis tenuifolia, Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Crataegus marshallii, Juniperus virginiana, and Prunus serotina. The shrub stratum has moderate cover of tall and short shrubs. Ptelea trifoliata is characteristic, and Ribes curvatum is locally dominant in rocky thickets. Other shrubs can include Aesculus glabra, Frangula caroliniana, Hamamelis virginiana, Hypericum hypericoides, Rhus aromatica, Robinia pseudoacacia, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, and Vaccinium arboreum. Common vines include Parthenocissus quinquefolia and Vitis rotundifolia. Herbaceous cover is variable (50-75%) and is a mixture of forb and graminoid species. Common herbaceous species include Helianthus divaricatus (can be locally dominant), Muhlenbergia sobolifera (can be locally dominant), Ageratina altissima var. altissima, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Aristolochia serpentaria, Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea, Campanulastrum americanum, Danthonia spicata, Desmodium marilandicum, Desmodium nudiflorum, Elymus hystrix, Galium arkansanum, Passiflora lutea, Lespedeza virginica, Schizachyrium scoparium, Scutellaria ovata, Solidago ulmifolia, and Streptanthus maculatus ssp. obtusifolius (= Streptanthus obtusifolius). These woodlands occur over droughty, rocky soils, on narrow, relatively flat, novaculite ridgetops at 1476-2100 feet (450-640 m) elevation in the central Ouachita Mountains. They occur as linear features on multiple adjacent ridges and are interspersed with grassy openings (glades) with Schizachyrium scoparium and Andropogon gerardii, with occasional Quercus stellata and Acer barbatum. This community typically grades into vegetation dominated by Pinus echinata, Quercus velutina, and Quercus alba on southern slopes and Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, and Quercus velutina on northern slopes. The type location is in Polk County, Arkansas. Other examples are known from Montgomery and Hot Spring counties.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.20900.QUERCUSRUBRAOST
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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