Name:
NY Heritage: Successional old field
Reference:
Ecological Communities of New York, 2nd Ed.
Description:
A meadow dominated by forbs and grasses that occurs on sites that have been cleared and plowed (for farming or development), and then abandoned. Fields that are mowed at an interval (e.g., less than once per year) that favors the reproduction of characteristic successional old field species are included here.
Characteristic herbs include goldenrods (Solidago altissima, S. nemoralis, S. rugosa, S. juncea, S. canadensis, and Euthamia graminifolia), bluegrasses (Poa pratensis, P. compressa), timothy (Phleum pratense), quackgrass (Agropyron repens), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), common chickweed (Cerastium arvense), common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), old-field cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex), calico aster (Aster lateriflorus), New England aster (Aster novae-angliae), wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), Queen-Anne's-lace (Daucus corota), ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and ox-tongue (Picris hieracioides).
Shrubs may be present, but collectively they have less than 50% cover in the community. Characteristic shrubs include gray dogwood (Cornus foemina ssp. racemosa), silky dogwood (C. amomum), arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum var. lucidum ), raspberries (Rubus spp.), sumac (Rhus typhina, R. glabra), and eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana).
A characteristic bird is the field sparrow (Spizella pusilla). This is a relatively short-lived community that succeeds to a shrubland, woodland, or forest community.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28745.NYHERITAGESUCCE
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
6
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