Name:
Danthonia compressa - (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata) Grassland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This community consists of graminoid-dominated vegetation with scattered shrubs, occurring on moderate to high-elevation peaks and saddles in the Southern Blue Ridge. Characteristically, this vegetation is strongly dominated by <i>Danthonia compressa</i>, or in some areas codominated by the subshrub <i>Sibbaldiopsis tridentata</i>. Other characteristic herbaceous species are <i>Angelica triquinata, Carex pensylvanica, Carex debilis, Carex intumescens, Carex brunnescens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erythronium umbilicatum ssp. monostolum, Gentiana austromontana, Gentianella quinquefolia, Houstonia serpyllifolia, Ionactis linariifolius, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Oclemena acuminata, Potentilla canadensis, Prenanthes roanensis, Smilax herbacea, Solidago bicolor, Solidago glomerata, Stachys clingmanii</i>, and <i>Trautvetteria caroliniensis var. caroliniensis</i>. The floristic composition is a mixture of widespread species, northern disjunct species, such as <i>Agrostis mertensii, Carex siccata, Minuartia groenlandica, Packera schweinitziana</i>, and <i>Sibbaldiopsis tridentata</i>, and Southern Appalachian endemics, such as <i>Erythronium umbilicatum ssp. monostolum, Geum geniculatum, Geum radiatum, Houstonia serpyllifolia, Lilium grayi, Prenanthes roanensis, Solidago glomerata</i>, and <i>Stachys clingmanii</i>). Typical shrubs (which may occur as scattered individuals or as patches) are <i>Rhododendron calendulaceum, Rhododendron catawbiense, Menziesia pilosa, Vaccinium corymbosum</i>, and <i>Rubus canadensis</i>. Species indicative of past grazing include <i>Phleum pratense, Agrostis gigantea, Hieracium scabrum, Rumex acetosella</i>, and <i>Prunella vulgaris</i>. This community occurs on high-elevation (usually above 1350 m [4500 feet]), often south- to southwest-facing domes, ridgetops, and gentle slopes. Strong winds, high rainfall, frequent fog, shallow rocky soils, and extremes of temperature and moisture are characteristic of these environments. It is known from the highest elevations of the southern Appalachian Mountains. It is typically surrounded by dwarfed forests dominated by <i>Fagus grandifolia</i> or <i>Quercus rubra</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:33077-{A2E9DA82-501F-4BDD-AB91-20DEF9C7E1C4}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
25
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