Login | Datasets | Logout
 

View Community Concepts - Detail

Schizachyrium scoparium - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana - Croton willdenowii Herbaceous Vegetation | Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
  click to update datacart
Name: Schizachyrium scoparium - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana - Croton willdenowii Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference: Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description: This dry to xeric Arkansas River Valley prairie community occurs as relatively small isolated patches on shaly knobs within a larger complex of dry-mesic and mesic tallgrass prairies. The only currently known location is in the Massard Prairie complex in the northeastern portion of Fort Chaffee. The vegetation is somewhat sparse (<75% cover), and there is much exposed soil. The vegetation is predominantly herbaceous, less than 2 feet tall, with widely scattered <i>Quercus stellata</i>. There are a few <i>Diospyros virginiana</i> and <i>Rhus copallinum</i> shrubs (sprouts) present. This community becomes shrubby with fire suppression. Dominant species include <i>Schizachyrium scoparium, Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana (= Andropogon saccharoides var. torreyana)</i>, and <i>Croton willdenowii (= Crotonopsis elliptica)</i>. Other species include <i>Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea (= Baptisia bracteata var. glabrescens), Buchnera americana, Helianthus mollis, Pityopsis graminifolia (= Heterotheca graminifolia), Liatris aspera, Dichanthelium</i> spp., <i>Plantago aristata, Solidago missouriensis, Solidago nemoralis</i>, and <i>Solidago speciosa</i>. The exotic <i>Lespedeza cuneata</i> is invasive. Fire and edaphic factors limit woody vegetation in stands of this community. The soils are shallow Mountainburg-Montevallo complex, which are derived from weathering of acidic sandstones and shales, respectively. These soils are acidic, sandy and sandy clay loams with low water-holding capacities; they tend to be excessively drained and droughty. This dry community occurs where the shale is close to the surface. This community is situated as small patches within ~<i>Schizachyrium scoparium - Dichanthelium</i> spp. - <i>Buchnera americana - Echinacea pallida</i> Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL007827)$$. The type location is in Franklin County, Arkansas. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.35172.CEGL008564
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:   Common: Arkansas Cherokee Prairie, Xeric Phase
  Scientific: Schizachyrium scoparium - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana - Croton willdenowii Herbaceous Vegetation
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689241 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL008564
  Translated: Little Bluestem - Silver Beardgrass - Willdenow's Croton Herbaceous Vegetation