Name:
Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Echinacea pallida - Dalea purpurea Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This dry-mesic blackland prairie community type occurs in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas. Vegetation is typically tall (4-6 feet) and dense; bare soil is not present. Eroded areas with dry prairie are extant and succeed to dry-mesic prairie. This community becomes shrubby with fire suppression. Fuel accumulation is rapid (complete burn after one growing season). Dominant species include Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Echinacea pallida, and Dalea purpurea. Other herbaceous species include Acacia angustissima, Andropogon virginicus, Centrosema virginianum, Chamaecrista fasciculata, Desmanthus illinoensis, Eryngium yuccifolium, Euphorbia corollata, Eupatorium altissimum, Liatris aspera, Liatris squarrosa, Rhynchosia latifolia, Rudbeckia hirta, Ruellia humilis, Salvia lyrata, Mimosa nuttallii (= Schrankia nuttallii), Silphium laciniatum, Oligoneuron rigidum, Sporobolus compositus (= Sporobolus asper), Tragia urticifolia, Tridens flavus, Vernonia baldwinii, and Vernonia missurica. The non-natives Lespedeza cuneata, and Melilotus officinalis can be abundant in disturbed areas. Woody species, including Sideroxylon lanuginosum (= Bumelia lanuginosa), Berchemia scandens, Cercis canadensis var. canadensis, Cornus florida, Diospyros virginiana, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii (infrequently as very low density 'savanna' community), Rhus glabra, Smilax bona-nox, and Smilax rotundifolia, occur locally during periods of fire suppression. High-quality examples of this community type exist at the Terre Noire Natural Area. Additional large high quality examples are located on the Keadle, Wood, Brewer, McElhannon, and Deltic Land and Timber tracts. The type location is in Clark County, Arkansas. Other examples can be found in Hempstead, Howard, Little River, Nevada, and Sevier counties, Arkansas.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.22506.SCHIZACHYRIUMSC
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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