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Leiophyllum buxifolium Dwarf-shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Leiophyllum buxifolium Dwarf-shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This evergreen, sclerophyllous dwarf-shrubland occurs at the highest elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains on steep, exposed slopes. It is typically found at elevations over 1770 m (5800 feet) in northwestern North Carolina. This dwarf-shrubland may occur as inclusions in other communities or as extensive mats. It is dominated by <i>Leiophyllum buxifolium</i> growing in dense mats with a krummholz structure. Occurrences of this community may have significant areas of bare rock but are at least 25% vegetated with at least 75% of the total shrub cover composed of <i>Leiophyllum buxifolium</i>. Openings in the shrub stratum may contain sparse herbaceous cover including <i>Selaginella tortipila, Zigadenus leimanthoides</i> and <i>Deschampsia flexuosa</i>. Other shrub species that may occur include <i>Rhododendron catawbiense</i> and <i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i>. Mosses and lichens are also typical in more open occurrences. The largest occurrences of this shrubland are 1-2 hectares. An extreme environment with steep topography, high solar irradiation, desiccating winds in combination with shallow, nutrient-poor soils maintains this community as a topo-edaphic climax. This community often occurs adjacent to or grades into high-elevation rock outcrop communities and other montane shrublands. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:32800-{00C1EA0A-6FB1-4FBA-963F-BB4BB1F65CB6}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 15
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 23-Sep-1994 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685394 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL003951
  Translated: Sand-myrtle Dwarf-shrubland
  Common: Southern Appalachian Sand-myrtle Heath Bald
  Scientific: Leiophyllum buxifolium Dwarf-shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL003951
(similar) Leiophyllum buxifolium Dwarf-shrubland
(similar) Leiophyllum buxifolium Dwarf-shrubland