Name:
Vaccinium (angustifolium, myrtilloides, pallidum) - Cladina rangiferina Dwarf-shrubland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
These blueberry barrens occur on flat or undulating glacial outwash or till plains, sometimes as openings within wooded barrens. The soils are sandy, acidic, and very nutrient-poor. Where the substrate contains an impervious subsoil layer, the natural undulations in the substrate result in a pattern of upland and wetland pockets in an intimate network. Dwarf-shrubs are the dominant plants. Widely scattered trees may be present, but overall tree cover will be under 20%. Herbs are scattered among the blueberries, rarely totaling more than 25% cover. The bryoid layer may be extensive and is usually dominated by lichens. One or more lowbush blueberry species are the dominant shrubs: <i>Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides</i>, or <i>Vaccinium pallidum (= Vaccinium vacillans)</i>. Minor shrubs include <i>Photinia melanocarpa (= Aronia melanocarpa), Spiraea alba, Kalmia angustifolia, Comptonia peregrina</i>, and <i>Lonicera villosa</i>. <i>Piptatherum canadense (= Oryzopsis canadensis), Piptatherum pungens (= Oryzopsis pungens)</i>, or <i>Oryzopsis asperifolia</i> are characteristic herbs, although rarely abundant. Other herbs include <i>Pteridium aquilinum, Solidago canadensis, Euthamia graminifolia, Lycopodium dendroideum</i>, and <i>Lycopodium digitatum</i>. <i>Cladina rangiferina, Cladina stellaris (= Cladonia alpestris)</i>, and <i>Cladonia pyxidata</i> are common lichens; mosses include <i>Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum piliferum</i>, and <i>Pleurozium schreberi</i>. In the wetter pockets, <i>Sphagnum</i> mosses may be locally common. This association generally occurs in areas with a consistent fire history. Where fires have been particularly intense, lichens may form extensive carpets, sometimes termed "lichen barrens."
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31100.CEGL006426
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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- status: accepted
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This Community's Level:
association
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 This Community's Children:
[none]
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Names:
UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685487
NatureServe
Explorer
Translated: (Lowbush Blueberry, Velvetleaf Huckleberry, Blue Ridge Blueberry) - Grey-green Reindeer Lichen Dwarf-shrubland
Scientific: Vaccinium (angustifolium, myrtilloides, pallidum) - Cladina rangiferina Dwarf-shrubland
Code: CEGL006426
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