Name:
Quercus prinus / Deschampsia flexuosa - Solidago bicolor Forest
Reference:
Description:
This association occurs on river-fronting slopes composed of unconsolidated sediments on the Inner Coastal Plain of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Sites include both very steep, erosive, bluff-like slopes and more stable, gently convex upper slopes and bluff-tops underlain by coarse gravel deposits. In either case, the ground surface typically has a substantial amount of exposed mineral substrate, and soils are sandy, extremely acidic, and infertile. This vegetation is an open, somewhat stunted forest with strong overstory dominance by <i>Quercus prinus</i>. <i>Quercus rubra, Quercus alba, Quercus velutina, Quercus coccinea</i>, and <i>Quercus stellata</i> are variably present, minor associates. <i>Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, Sassafras albidum, Amelanchier arborea</i>, and <i>Fagus grandifolia</i> are characteristic understory species. Isolated, individual shrubs of <i>Kalmia latifolia</i> often occur, but this species does not form dense stands. Patches of <i>Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum</i>, and <i>Gaylussacia baccata</i> are typical in the open shrub layer, along with <i>Viburnum acerifolium</i>, scrambling vines of <i>Smilax rotundifolia</i> and young recruitment of <i>Quercus prinus</i>. The herb layer is species-poor, with <i>Deschampsia flexuosa</i> common and <i>Solidago bicolor</i> frequent at low cover. Additional herbs may include <i>Danthonia spicata, Polygonatum biflorum, Carex tonsa, Carex pensylvanica, Hieracium venosum, Viola pedata</i>, and <i>Carex virescens</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.37511.CEGL006490
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
2
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