Name:
Pinus rigida / Photinia melanocarpa / Deschampsia flexuosa - Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This northeastern pitch pine community occurs on dry rocky ridges and summits of low to moderate elevations. Soils are derived from acidic bedrock and are typically shallow, well- to excessively drained, coarse sands or gravels that develop in pockets of the exposed bedrock expanses. The canopy is open and trees are often stunted. Tall shrubs are scattered and not abundant. The dwarf-shrub layer is typically well-developed. Herbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is of variable cover, with lichens prominent. The ground cover is bare rock, deciduous and coniferous litter. The canopy is dominated by Pinus rigida with a variable mixture of associates, such as Betula populifolia, Quercus rubra, Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Betula lenta, Acer rubrum, and Prunus serotina. The tall-shrub layer is comprised of scattered Nemopanthus mucronatus, Quercus ilicifolia, or Quercus prinoides. The shrub layer is dominated by heaths, such as Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Kalmia angustifolia, and Gaylussacia baccata, as well as other shrubs, such as Comptonia peregrina and Photinia melanocarpa (= Aronia melanocarpa). The herbaceous layer typically includes Pteridium aquilinum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Deschampsia flexuosa, Danthonia spicata, Carex pensylvanica and/or Carex lucorum, Maianthemum canadense, Aralia nudicaulis, Melampyrum lineare, Fragaria virginiana, Trientalis borealis, and Cypripedium acaule. In the northern Appalachian Mountains, this community generally occurs at elevations from near sea level to 1700 feet, and may include species of northern affinity, such as Viburnum nudum, Kalmia angustifolia, Betula papyrifera, Picea rubens, and Rhododendron canadense, while in the central Appalachians, this community occurs at elevations up to 4400 feet, with occasional associates including Pinus pungens, Pinus virginiana, and Ilex montana. Periodic fires are probably necessary for persistence, except at the most extreme sites. This association is differentiated from Pinus rigida / Corema conradii Woodland (CEGL006154) by the absence of Corema, and from other Pinus rigida-dominated woodlands of rocky habitats by the absence or very low cover of scrub oak Quercus ilicifolia.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.22120.PINUSRIGIDAPHOT
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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