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Trichophorum caespitosum - Calamagrostis pickeringii Herbaceous Vegetation | Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Trichophorum caespitosum - Calamagrostis pickeringii Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference: Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This graminoid-dominated association occurs on wet, sloping brows of alpine or subalpine cliffs in the northern Appalachians. <i>Calamagrostis pickeringii</i> is the diagnostic and dominant herb, and <i>Trichophorum caespitosum</i> is often codominant. Dwarf-shrubs among the herbs include <i>Vaccinium uliginosum</i> and some typical bog ericads such as <i>Chamaedaphne calyculata, Kalmia polifolia</i>, and <i>Ledum groenlandicum</i>. Associated forbs include <i>Drosera rotundifolia, Gentiana linearis</i>, and <i>Huperzia appalachiana</i>. The vascular plants develop on a base of <i>Sphagnum</i> mosses, including <i>Sphagnum compactum</i> and several unusual species such as <i>Sphagnum lindbergii, Sphagnum tenellum</i>, and <i>Sphagnum pylaesii</i>. The liverwort <i>Scapania nemorosa</i> is also characteristic. Occurrences of this association may be short-lived (compared to other alpine vegetation types), as portions may become oversaturated and slide off of the rock substrate; however, the average return interval of this major disturbance factor has been reported to be as long as 500 years. Although the graminoid dominance is characteristic of the association as a whole, it may occur as a mosaic of herb-dominated patches, shrub clusters, bryophyte carpets, and exposed bedrock. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.31192.CEGL006423
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
     
  • status: accepted
  • This Community's Level: association
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689913 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Common: Northern Appalachian Alpine Bulrush Cliff
  Translated: Tufted Bulrush - Pickering's Reedgrass Herbaceous Vegetation
  Scientific: Trichophorum caespitosum - Calamagrostis pickeringii Herbaceous Vegetation
  Code: CEGL006423