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(Kalmia latifolia, Physocarpus opulifolius) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Thalictrum revolutum - Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Shrub Grassland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: (Kalmia latifolia, Physocarpus opulifolius) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Thalictrum revolutum - Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Shrub Grassland Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019 Description: These are sloping, grass-dominated, herbaceous openings which range from a grassland to shrubland physiognomy. This community occurs at high elevations (around 1200 m [3970 feet]) in the Blue Ridge uplands where the soils are thin and poorly developed over amphibole or hornblende bedrock. Examples occur on upper south-facing slopes. The soils (Lithic Haplorthents) are droughty and thin and do not buffer the flora from the mafic character of the bedrock. They may, however, be seasonally wet, and the diagnostic flora may reflect the unique soil and moisture conditions. The occurrence of continuous, generally flat mafic rock as opposed to the irregular fragmented rock of most rocky summits is characteristic of this community. This feature may restrict the flora to those species which can survive in shallow crevices or on thin veneers over smooth rock. There are typically some extremely stunted trees and scattered shrubs, the most common being <i>Quercus rubra, Kalmia latifolia, Salix humilis, Physocarpus opulifolius, Vaccinium stamineum</i>, and <i>Vaccinium pallidum</i>. Woody plants are generally restricted to microsites with slightly deeper soils. The most characteristic herbaceous species include <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i> (generally most abundant), <i>Danthonia spicata, Coreopsis major, Thalictrum revolutum, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Heuchera villosa, Helianthemum bicknellii, Ionactis linariifolius</i>, and <i>Liatris</i> spp. Many of the characteristic herbaceous species occur in crevices among exposed rock, but some larger, continuous patches of the dominant grasses may occur where thin veneers of soil have accumulated over the rock surfaces. Annuals such as <i>Hypericum gentianoides</i> and <i>Polygala curtissii</i> may be seasonally abundant. Many additional herbaceous species occur at low cover and constancy. Much of the remaining area is dominated by <i>Cladonia</i> lichens which grow directly on the exposed bedrock.  Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:33074-{C1E15127-1E0D-4AA0-8E11-DDA7F8715932} Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 11
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 19-Feb-2010 to: ongoing
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Southern Appalachian Mafic Shrubland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686261 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL004238   Translated: (Mountain Laurel, Common Ninebark) / Little Bluestem - Waxyleaf Meadowrue - Shrubby Fivefingers Shrub Grassland   Common: Southern Appalachian High-Elevation Mafic Glade (Flatrock Type)   Scientific: (Kalmia latifolia, Physocarpus opulifolius) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Thalictrum revolutum - Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Shrub Grassland (convergence) and Synonyms: (similar) CEGL004238 (similar) Kalmia latifolia / Schizachyrium scoparium / Cladonia spp. Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (similar) (Kalmia latifolia, Physocarpus opulifolius) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Thalictrum revolutum - Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation