Name:
Kalmia latifolia - Rhododendron catawbiense - (Gaylussacia baccata, Pieris floribunda, Vaccinium corymbosum) Shrubland
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This community occurs in the mountains of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, on ridges, and steep, rocky slopes at intermediate elevations (4000-5000 feet). It is a mostly evergreen shrubland, although deciduous shrubs may be present and even locally dominant. Shrubs form a dense, sometimes impenetrable thicket, 1-4 m tall. The most typical shrub dominants are Kalmia latifolia and Rhododendron catawbiense, although Gaylussacia baccata, Leiophyllum buxifolium, Pieris floribunda, Rhododendron carolinianum, Rhododendron maximum, and Vaccinium corymbosum are dominant or have high coverage in some occurrences. Other shrubs include Photinia melanocarpa (= Aronia melanocarpa), Clethra acuminata, Ilex montana, Vaccinium stamineum, Leucothoe recurva, and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. Small openings in the shrub canopy are dominated by lichens, bare rock or herbs, with some occurrences having up to 60% exposed rock. Herb cover beneath the shrub canopy is absent or very sparse (<5%) and may include Galax urceolata, Gaultheria procumbens, Goodyera pubescens, Melampyrum lineare, Mitchella repens, and Pteridium aquilinum. Smilax rotundifolia is a common vine. Small, scattered trees are possible (Acer rubrum, Amelanchier laevis, Betula alleghaniensis, Ilex montana, Magnolia fraseri, Nyssa sylvatica, Oxydendrum arboreum, Prunus pensylvanica, Quercus rubra) and may be more typical of shrublands resulting from intense fires on less exposed sites. Windfall, landslides, and small, localized, lightning-caused fires are important in the establishment and maintenance of these shrublands. This community can result from secondary succession after fire or logging or can occur as a topo-edaphic climax on steep or exposed sites.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.27478.KALMIALATIFOLIA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
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Names:
Translated: Mountain Laurel - Catawba Rhododendron - (Black Huckleberry, Mountain Fetterbush, Highbush Blueberry) Shrubland
UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689787
NatureServe
Explorer
Code: CEGL003814
Scientific: Kalmia latifolia - Rhododendron catawbiense - (Gaylussacia baccata, Pieris floribunda, Vaccinium corymbosum) Shrubland
Common: Southern Appalachian Mountain Laurel Bald
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined)
Kalmia latifolia - Rhododendron catawbiense - (Gaylussacia baccata, Pieris floribunda, Vaccinium corymbosum) Shrubland
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