Name:
Schizachyrium scoparium - Carex tonsa var. rugosperma - Carex muehlenbergii - Lithospermum caroliniense - Opuntia humifusa Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
Description:
This community is widespread throughout the midwestern region of the United States, where it is found on a variety of sandy soils. Stands can occur on steep slopes on sandy outwash, sandy lakeplains, and alluvial deposits along rivers and streams. They may occur on sand ridges (including inland dunes and sandy areas of coarse-textured end moraines), particularly on blowouts. Soils are well-drained to excessively drained, coarse-textured sands, loamy sands, and sandy loams. Gravels are very minor. Soils generally lack a dark A horizon, and the upper horizons can be somewhat acidic. Graminoids dominate the herbaceous layer, which is often very open. Dominant and characteristic graminoids include Carex siccata (= Carex foenea), Carex muehlenbergii, Carex tonsa var. rugosperma (= Carex rugosperma), Cyperus lupulinus, Cyperus schweinitzii, Aristida basiramea, Aristida tuberculosa, Dichanthelium ovale var. addisonii (= Dichanthelium commonsianum), Koeleria macrantha, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and Hesperostipa spartea (= Stipa spartea). Calamovilfa longifolia may be prominent in more open dune ridges. Characteristic forbs include Antennaria plantaginifolia, Lithospermum caroliniense, Penstemon grandiflorus, and Solidago nemoralis. Other associated herbs include Asclepias tuberosa, Dalea villosa, Euphorbia corollata, Krigia virginica, and Lupinus perennis. Hudsonia tomentosa is more often restricted to local disturbances such as blowouts or slipfaces. Shrubs or shrub-like species include Salix humilis and Opuntia humifusa.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.22030.SCHIZACHYRIUMSC
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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