Name:
Quercus marilandica - (Juniperus virginiana) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Danthonia spicata Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
Description:
This graminoid shale glade community is found in the central United States, particularly in the Interior Low Plateau region, as well as scattered sites in central Missouri. Stands occur on moderate to steep, upper slopes of knobs and ridges. Aspect is typically southern or western. Parent material is shale, often interbedded in sandstone or limestone. Bedrock occurs on the surface as outcrops, level benches, and escarpments composed of brittle, finely laminated, compact shale. The substrate of Indiana occurrences is described as siltstone. Soil is moderately to strongly acidic, shallow, and very well-drained (dry to xeric). Trees can be found scattered or in isolated clumps and patches throughout the occurrence, along with a few saplings and shrubs. <i>Quercus marilandica</i> and <i>Quercus stellata</i> are the dominant trees (<i>Quercus prinus</i> is dominant in Indiana examples), and <i>Pinus virginiana</i> or other <i>Quercus</i> spp. may also be found in some examples. <i>Vaccinium arboreum, Rhus aromatica</i> and <i>Ulmus alata</i> may be common on some sites. <i>Vaccinium pallidum</i> and <i>Gaylussacia baccata</i> are common in Indiana examples. Ohio stands also contain <i>Cercis canadensis, Amelanchier arborea, Frangula caroliniana (= Rhamnus caroliniana), Rosa carolina</i>, and <i>Vaccinium stamineum</i>. <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i> and <i>Danthonia spicata</i> dominate the herbaceous layer, along with a diverse assemblage of forbs. Missouri examples contain <i>Astragalus distortus, Dalea purpurea, Porteranthus stipulatus</i>, and <i>Psoralidium tenuiflorum</i>. The herbaceous flora of Indiana Interior Low Plateau examples (Siltstone Glades) includes <i>Agalinis</i> sp., <i>Symphyotrichum patens (= Aster patens), Symphyotrichum shortii (= Aster shortii), Brickellia eupatorioides (= Kuhnia eupatorioides), Cunila origanoides, Dichanthelium depauperatum, Euphorbia corollata, Helianthus</i> sp., <i>Hypericum crux-andreae, Hypericum hypericoides, Liatris squarrosa, Manfreda virginica, Porteranthus stipulatus, Schizachyrium scoparium</i>, and <i>Tephrosia virginiana</i>. Some woody plants recorded at these sites include <i>Pinus virginiana, Quercus prinus, Quercus stellata, Quercus marilandica</i>, and <i>Juniperus virginiana</i>. In Ohio, <i>Carex hirsutella, Agrostis perennans, Allium cernuum, Sericocarpus asteroides (= Aster paternus), Agalinis tenuifolia (= Gerardia tenuifolia), Houstonia canadensis (= Hedyotis canadensis)</i>, and <i>Lithospermum canescens</i>, among others, may occur. Lichens and mosses occur in profusion on exposed bedrock surfaces and on soils not covered with organic debris (leaf litter, wood).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.36781.CEGL002428
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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