Name:
Pinus virginiana - Quercus prinus / Packera antennariifolia - Phlox subulata Woodland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
These patchy woodland barrens are found in the southern half of the Central Appalachians on steep, unstable shale slopes. The southeast-to-southwest aspect and high cover of shale fragments contribute to a xeric moisture regime. This and the acidic pH limit the establishment and survival of many vascular plants while favoring a number of specially adapted ones. Most commonly exhibiting a patchy woodland cover, often with herbaceous openings, these barrens occasionally range from a closed canopy to open shrublands; most sites have less than 50% canopy cover of stunted trees. Shrubs are often sparse and usually less than 30% cover. Herbaceous cover varies widely but is typically less than 50%. <i>Pinus virginiana</i> and <i>Quercus prinus</i>, in varying mixtures, are the dominant trees. Associates vary from site to site; the more frequent are <i>Carya glabra, Quercus rubra, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana, Quercus alba, Pinus strobus, Quercus velutina</i>, and <i>Carya ovata</i>. <i>Amelanchier arborea</i> is a common small tree. Shrubs include <i>Quercus ilicifolia, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium pallidum, Rosa carolina</i>, and <i>Rhus aromatica</i>. The ground layer is dominated by the graminoids <i>Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata</i>, and occasionally <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i>. The species-rich and distinctive forb component is characterized by shale-barren endemics or near-endemics including <i>Paronychia montana, Packera antennariifolia (= Senecio antennariifolius), Antennaria virginica, Scutellaria ovata</i>, and <i>Clematis albicoma</i>, as well as the wider-ranging species <i>Houstonia longifolia (= var. tenuifolia), Phlox subulata, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Cunila origanoides, Potentilla canadensis</i>, the fern <i>Cheilanthes lanosa, Campanula divaricata, Solidago bicolor, Lespedeza</i> spp., <i>Clematis coactilis, Coreopsis major, Symphyotrichum undulatum (= Aster undulatus), Helianthus divaricatus</i>, and <i>Viola pedata</i>. Additional shale-barren endemics or near-endemics that may occur in this type include <i>Arabis serotina, Eriogonum allenii, Oenothera argillicola, Solidago arguta var. harrisii, Taenidia montana</i>, and <i>Trifolium virginicum</i>. This association is distinguished from other acidic shale-barren types in the Central Appalachians by its higher species richness and presence of more shale-barren endemics or near-endemics. Indicators include <i>Phlox subulata, Packera antennariifolia, Antennaria virginica, Arabis serotina, Campanula divaricata, Clematis coactilis, Clematis albicoma, Penstemon canescens, Penstemon pallidus, Silene caroliniana</i>, and <i>Sedum glaucophyllum</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31030.CEGL006562
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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