Name:
Juniperus virginiana - Fraxinus americana / Danthonia spicata - Poa compressa Woodland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This traprock ridge community is known from mountainous sites in New England and New Jersey, and may occur in southeastern New York. The vegetation occurs primarily on exposed outcrops of basaltic rock in the Connecticut Valley of New England and the Piedmont physiographic province in New Jersey. Sites supporting this community are upper slopes of basalt or diorite ridges from 365-1050 m elevation, characteristically south- or west-facing and range in slope from 5-30 degrees. Most sites have minimal soil development. Tree cover is sparse, ranging from 5-30% cover (average 20%) with Juniperus virginiana being the most constant canopy tree. Other woody species sometimes present may include Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra, Ostrya virginiana, and Carya glabra. The scattered shrub layer often includes Rosa carolina, Quercus prinus, Rhus typhina (= Rhus hirta), Vaccinium pallidum, Viburnum rafinesquianum, and Prunus virginiana. The herbaceous layer usually covers 12-50% of the ground and is dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium and Danthonia spicata, with the relative abundance of either varying from site to site. Numerous other herbaceous species and graminoid forbs occur in this community type, including Carex pensylvanica, Hypericum gentianoides, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Corydalis sempervirens, Solidago nemoralis, Poa compressa, Maianthemum racemosum, Uvularia perfoliata, Aquilegia canadensis, Asclepias verticillata, Krigia virginica, Minuartia michauxii (=Arenaria stricta), and Houstonia longifolia (= Hedyotis longifolia). No species is restricted to this community but the assemblage listed above is very characteristic.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.24638.JUNIPERUSVIRGIN
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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