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Quercus prinus / Rhododendron catawbiense - Kalmia latifolia Forest | Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulli...
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Name: Quercus prinus / Rhododendron catawbiense - Kalmia latifolia Forest
Reference: Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulli...
Description: The documented range of this community is confined to the northern Virginia Blue Ridge, excepting a few local outliers on sheltered, north-facing bluffs along the James River in the western Piedmont. Similar vegetation, probably representing this association, has been reported from scattered locations in the Ridge and Valley province of west-central and southwestern Virginia and is likely in adjacent areas of West Virginia. Piedmont occurrences of this vegetation type are confined to steep, sheltered bluffs subtending the James River at <200 m (650 feet) elevation. In the mountains, stands are generally associated with strongly convex, upper slopes and spur crests at elevations from 800 m to over 975 m (2700-3200 feet). Stands have north or northwest aspects. The vegetation is an exceptionally species-poor, open to closed-canopy forest of often stunted (<10 m tall), gnarled trees over a dense, evergreen tall-shrub layer. Quercus prinus is the sole canopy dominant, with occasional associates of Betula lenta, Tsuga canadensis, Nyssa sylvatica, Acer rubrum, and Pinus strobus. Rhododendron catawbiense and Kalmia latifolia dominate the shrub layer. Pieris floribunda is reported to be a characteristic shrub of this community. Additional shrubs present at low cover include Hamamelis virginiana, Ilex montana, and Amelanchier arborea. Deciduous ericads such as Gaylussacia baccata and Vaccinium pallidum are often present but rarely contribute more than 10% cover. Herbs and subshrubs are exceedingly sparse in the densely shaded, forest-floor environment. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.23150.QUERCUSPRINUSRH
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 01-Jun-2001 to: 17-Nov-2014
      Names:   Common: Central Appalachian Rock Chestnut Oak / Catawba Rhododendron Forest
  Translated: Rock Chestnut Oak / Catawba Rhododendron - Mountain Laurel Forest
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686934 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL008524
  Scientific: Quercus prinus / Rhododendron catawbiense - Kalmia latifolia Forest
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Quercus prinus / Rhododendron catawbiense - Kalmia latifolia Forest