Name:
Rhododendron carolinianum Shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This mainly evergreen shrubland occurs on steep ridges and rock outcroppings, typically at 1040-1280 m (3400-4200 feet) elevation, in the mountains of western North Carolina. It is known from areas of quartzite and meta-arkose geology in Linville Gorge Wilderness. This community has at least 25% shrub cover and may occur as a dense shrubland, 2-4 m tall, or as a shorter, more open shrubland with areas of exposed rock with fruticose and crustose lichens, scattered mats of prostrate vegetation, and isolated clumps of herbaceous species. At least 50% of the total shrub cover is made up of <i>Rhododendron carolinianum</i>. Associated shrub species vary among occurrences, but can include <i>Kalmia latifolia, Lyonia ligustrina var. ligustrina, Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium pallidum, Fothergilla major, Acer rubrum, Ilex montana</i>, and low-growing <i>Gaylussacia baccata</i> and <i>Leiophyllum buxifolium</i>. Some occurrences may have occasional stunted trees of <i>Pinus pungens</i> or <i>Pinus rigida</i>. More open occurrences have significant cover by mats of <i>Selaginella tortipila</i> and scattered herbaceous species such as <i>Galax urceolata, Hypericum densiflorum, Carex umbellata, Danthonia sericea, Coreopsis major, Liatris pilosa, Xerophyllum asphodeloides</i>, and <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i>. High solar irradiation and desiccating winds, in combination with the shallow, nutrient-poor soils, are key environmental factors influencing this community. This community often occurs adjacent to or grades into xeric forests and woodlands dominated by <i>Pinus pungens, Tsuga caroliniana</i>, or <i>Quercus montana</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:32676-{C5B21D2F-B199-4C58-A978-C4D96745A80D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
3
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