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Schizachyrium scoparium - Andropogon ternarius - Liatris microcephala - (Pityopsis ruthii) Herbaceous Vegetation | Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
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Name: Schizachyrium scoparium - Andropogon ternarius - Liatris microcephala - (Pityopsis ruthii) Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference: Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description: This is a river scour community of the Hiwassee and Ocoee rivers of southeastern Tennessee. In this temporarily flooded river scour community, the herbaceous species are limited to the cracks and crevices of the boulders, with <i>Pityopsis ruthii</i> dominating in many places. In its more open phase, it is dominated by perennial grasses and forbs. The principal grasses here are <i>Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon ternarius</i> (both becoming abundant in areas with increased soils), and <i>Panicum</i> sp. Other abundant herbaceous species include <i>Liatris microcephala, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (= Aster novae-angliae), Solidago</i> sp., <i>Coreopsis tripteris</i>, and <i>Agalinis</i> sp. The shrub stratum is also clumpy in distribution with <i>Cornus amomum, Hypericum prolificum</i>, and <i>Leucothoe racemosa</i> also present. Several liana species are present, most notably <i>Bignonia capreolata</i> and <i>Toxicodendron radicans</i>, along with the non-native <i>Lonicera japonica</i>. The adjacent blufftop is dominated by <i>Pityopsis ruthii</i> and lichens, with small clusters of <i>Pinus virginiana</i> and <i>Juniperus virginiana</i> scattered throughout, where soils have accumulated covering between 25% and 40% of the more open areas. The woody plants become thicker about 25 m from the edge, with coverage approaching 75-90% where lack of scour has allowed woody species to invade. Other canopy species noted include <i>Pinus strobus, Platanus occidentalis</i>, and <i>Acer rubrum</i>. In the more open areas, these species are small and stunted. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.35184.CEGL008455
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: Hiwassee / Ocoee River Boulder Scour Vegetation
  Translated: Little Bluestem - Splitbeard Bluestem - Small-head Blazingstar - (Ruth's Silk-grass) Herbaceous Vegetation
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687730 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Scientific: Schizachyrium scoparium - Andropogon ternarius - Liatris microcephala - (Pityopsis ruthii) Herbaceous Vegetation
  Code: CEGL008455