Name:
Rhododendron catawbiense Shrubland
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This evergreen shrubland occurs at the highest elevations, typically 1500-1980 m (5000-6500 feet), in the southern Appalachian Mountains on steep, exposed slopes, ridges, and rock outcrops. It occurs primarily in the northern portion of the southern Appalachians, north of the Asheville Basin, in mountain ranges lacking Pieris floribunda and Rhododendron carolinianum. Greater than 75% of the shrub cover is comprised of evergreen species, and the predominant shrub is Rhododendron catawbiense. Scattered trees contribute less than 1% cover, typically Photinia melanocarpa (= Aronia melanocarpa), Abies fraseri, and Picea rubens. Small openings in the shrub canopy are dominated by rock or herbs. Herb cover beneath the shrub canopy is absent or very sparse (<5%) and may include Gaultheria procumbens, Galax urceolata, Epigaea repens, Medeola virginiana, Trillium undulatum, Melampyrum lineare, Dryopteris campyloptera, Houstonia serpyllifolia, Viola spp., and Carex debilis var. rudgei. Mosses may be locally dominant at the base of Rhododendron clumps, often Polytrichum commune or bryophytes from adjacent Picea - Abies communities. This community can result from secondary succession after fire or logging or can occur as a topo-edaphic climax on steep, exposed sites. Occurrences may range in size from 0.5-200 hectares. This community can grade into or occur adjacent to high-elevation rock outcrop communities, montane grass-dominated communities, or forests dominated by Picea rubens, Abies fraseri, and northern hardwood species such as Fagus grandifolia, Acer saccharum, and Betula alleghaniensis.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.24332.RHODODENDRONCAT
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
