Name:
Fraxinus americana - Carya ovata / Frangula caroliniana / Helianthus hirsutus Woodland
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This community type is currently known only from a narrow, midslope band of Greenbrier limestone on Little Stone Mountain in Wise County, Virginia. It is an open to very open forest that locally approaches woodland physiognomy. Maximum tree heights are approximately 23 m, but the majority of trees are <20 m in most areas. The mean cover of canopy and subcanopy trees combined is 60-70%. Fraxinus americana, Carya ovata, and Quercus rubra are the most constant and abundant canopy trees. Carya ovalis is a frequent canopy associate while Acer saccharum var. saccharum and Quercus alba are infrequent but locally important. The former is also present in the 6- to 10-m tall understory stratum, along with Ulmus rubra, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, and representatives of the other canopy species. Cercis canadensis var. canadensis generally dominates the shrub layer, with Frangula caroliniana, Cornus florida, and Celtis occidentalis as more-or-less constant and common components. Ostrya virginiana may also be present. Toxicodendron radicans and Parthenocissus quinquefolia are common woody vines that frequently reach into the shrub stratum. The herbaceous layer is variable. Polymnia canadensis is a constant and relatively abundant herb that assumes great dominance over some areas. Diarrhena americana is inconstant but locally dominates bouldery slopes in massive colonies. Constant and characteristic herbs include Agrimonia rostellata, Doellingeria infirma (= Aster infirmus), Symphyotrichum patens var. patens (= Aster patens var. patens), Symphyotrichum undulatum (= Aster undulatus), Brachyelytrum erectum, Bromus pubescens, Desmodium glutinosum, Dichanthelium boscii, Elymus hystrix, Erigeron pulchellus var. pulchellus, Helianthus hirsutus, Helianthus microcephalus, Heuchera longiflora, Lysimachia tonsa, Muhlenbergia sobolifera, Muhlenbergia tenuiflora, Polygonatum biflorum, Packera obovata (= Senecio obovatus), Solidago caesia, Solidago ulmifolia var. ulmifolia, and Zizia aptera. Very locally, on the most xeric and rocky microtopographic positions, tree cover is open enough for light-demanding plants more characteristic of 'barrens' or 'glades' to thrive. Included in this group of localized species are Andropogon gerardii, Oligoneuron rigidum var. rigidum (= Solidago rigida ssp. rigida), Liatris aspera var. intermedia, Blephilia ciliata, Polygonum scandens var. cristatum, and Solidago speciosa var. speciosa. This community type is currently known only from a narrow, midslope band of Greenbrier limestone on the south flank of Little Stone Mountain, just northeast of Big Stone Gap in Wise County, Virginia. The stand and associated limestone outcrops extend for more than 2 km and cover at least 100 ha (240 acres). Sites are similar to those occupied by Acer saccharum - Quercus muehlenbergii / Cercis canadensis Forest (CEGL006017) but have a higher mean elevation (688 m (2257 feet)), a more south-facing (versus southwest-facing) aspect, and soils with much higher mean calcium levels (mean = 3523 ppm). Soil moisture regime is subxeric, and habitats have high surficial cover of bedrock outcrops, boulders, and stones (mean cover of all three classes combined = 39%).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.25936.FRAXINUSAMERICA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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