Name:
Pinus virginiana - Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana - Quercus stellata / Amelanchier stolonifera / Danthonia spicata / Leucobryum glaucum Woodland
Reference:
Vanderhorst, J. 2000a. Plant com...
Description:
This community occupies exposed, xeric outcrops along high-gradient stretches of the New River in West Virginia and the Potomac River in Maryland and northern Virginia. It has an open to nearly closed canopy dominated by a mixture of evergreen conifer and deciduous tree species over a diverse understory of shrubs and herbs often with heavy ground cover by mosses and lichens. In West Virginia stands, the open canopy is dominated by about equal amounts of <i>Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana</i> and <i>Pinus virginiana</i>. Associated deciduous tree species include <i>Quercus stellata, Fraxinus americana, Celtis occidentalis, Ulmus americana</i>, and <i>Cercis canadensis</i>. The dense shrub layer includes <i>Amelanchier stolonifera, Rhus copallinum, Rosa carolina</i>, and <i>Viburnum prunifolium</i>. Vines include <i>Toxicodendron radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia</i>, and <i>Vitis aestivalis</i>. The exotics <i>Ligustrum vulgare, Rubus phoenicolasius, Lonicera japonica</i>, and <i>Rosa multiflora</i> may also be present. The herbaceous layer has high representation of grasses; species include <i>Andropogon virginicus, Danthonia spicata, Leersia virginica, Melica mutica</i>, and <i>Piptochaetium avenaceum</i>. The fern ally <i>Selaginella rupestris</i> may also contribute significant ground cover. Cover by mosses and lichens is variable and may approach 90%. The Potomac Gorge stands are woodlands or open forests of stunted trees (usually 7 m tall or less). The overstory may be strongly dominated by <i>Pinus virginiana</i> or by a mix of <i>Pinus virginiana, Carya glabra, Quercus prinus, Quercus rubra</i>, and <i>Quercus stellata</i>. <i>Fraxinus americana</i> and <i>Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana</i> are minor, but constant, associates and are most often limited to the subcanopy, where <i>Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana</i> is often abundant. A sparse tall-shrub layer is present, with <i>Chionanthus virginicus, Viburnum prunifolium, Amelanchier arborea</i>, and <i>Rhus copallinum</i> most frequent. A short-shrub layer is often present and dominated by <i>Vaccinium pallidum</i>; <i>Hypericum prolificum, Rosa carolina</i>, and <i>Amelanchier stolonifera</i> are less frequent. The herbaceous layer is somewhat sparse to moderately dense, with <i>Danthonia spicata</i> the most abundant species, and <i>Carex umbellata, Carex tonsa var. tonsa, Carex nigromarginata, Helianthus divaricatus, Comandra umbellata, Solidago ulmifolia, Eupatorium hyssopifolium var. laciniatum, Potentilla canadensis, Silene caroliniana, Stylosanthes biflora, Symphyotrichum patens (= Aster patens), Dichanthelium laxiflorum, Dichanthelium depauperatum, Dichanthelium commutatum, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, Dichanthelium villosissimum, Houstonia caerulea</i>, and <i>Houstonia longifolia</i> often present. Vines are occasional; <i>Smilax glauca</i> and <i>Vitis aestivalis</i> are the most frequent species.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.37222.CEGL008449
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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