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Alnus viridis ssp. crispa / Carex pensylvanica Shrubland | Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
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Name: Alnus viridis ssp. crispa / Carex pensylvanica Shrubland
Reference: Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description: This mainly deciduous shrubland occurs at the highest elevations, greater than 1750 m (5800 feet) in the southern Appalachian Mountains on summit ridges of the Roan Mountain massif. It is dominated by <i>Alnus viridis ssp. crispa</i>, typically 1.5-2 m in height, rarely producing a closed canopy but typically occurring as uniformly spaced clumps about 1 m apart. <i>Rubus allegheniensis</i> is often a codominant with <i>Alnus viridis ssp. crispa</i>. Other shrub species occur with low coverage and include <i>Rhododendron catawbiense, Vaccinium corymbosum</i>, and <i>Crataegus</i> spp. Openings in the shrub canopy are dominated by herbs, mainly <i>Carex pensylvanica</i> and <i>Carex debilis var. rudgei</i> but also may include <i>Danthonia compressa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Viola blanda, Rumex acetosella</i> (exotic), and <i>Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides</i>. In moister areas, bryophyte cover can be up to 75%, with <i>Polytrichum commune</i> typical. This community can grade into or occur adjacent to high-elevation rock outcrop communities, montane grass-dominated communities, high-elevation herbaceous seeps, or forests dominated by stunted <i>Fagus grandifolia</i>. It may expand into montane grass-dominated communities and may eventually succeed to ~<i>Rhododendron catawbiense</i> Shrubland (CEGL003818)$$. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.36341.CEGL003891
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: Southern Appalachian Alder Bald
  Translated: Mountain Alder / Pennsylvania Sedge Shrubland
  Scientific: Alnus viridis ssp. crispa / Carex pensylvanica Shrubland
  Code: CEGL003891
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684436 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo