Name:
Ammophila breviligulata - Panicum amarum var. amarum Grassland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This community is a maritime dune grassland dominated by <i>Ammophila breviligulata</i> or <i>Panicum amarum var. amarum</i>. This dune grassland occurs almost exclusively on sandy, unstable, droughty substrates with no soil profile development. Eolian processes cause active sand deposition and erosion. The sand substrate is usually visible, and litter accumulation from plant debris is nearly absent. This community generally occurs on foredunes that receive the force of wind and salt spray, but is beyond the influence of most storm tides. It is found on maritime dunes from southern New Jersey (Cape May) south to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, as well as on the northern North Carolina coast. Plant cover is variable, ranging from 10-75%, but is usually low. Other associated species include <i>Solidago sempervirens, Artemisia campestris ssp. caudata, Strophostyles helvola, Triplasis purpurea, Cenchrus tribuloides, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Oenothera humifusa, Schoenoplectus pungens</i> (where overwashed by sand), <i>Diodia teres, Cakile edentula ssp. edentula, Nuttallanthus canadensis, Salsola kali ssp. kali, Lechea maritima, Cyperus grayi</i>, and <i>Spartina patens</i>. Sparse individuals of stunted <i>Morella pensylvanica</i> shrubs and seedlings occur but make up less than 2% of the total vegetation cover. Diagnostic species are <i>Ammophila breviligulata, Solidago sempervirens, Panicum amarum var. amarum</i>, and <i>Oenothera humifusa</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:32889-{D2AA3B01-2D6A-4A76-AB08-FC77B7C7B8D9}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
39
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