Name:
Schizachyrium scoparium - Hesperostipa spartea - Bouteloua (curtipendula, gracilis) Sand Grassland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This dry sand prairie or barrens is found in the northern tallgrass region of the midwestern United States. Stands are located on glacial outwash and post-glacial lake dunes, including low dunes in swales. Soils are deep coarse sands, with low nutrient levels, low levels of organic matter, and poor water-retaining capacity. The vegetation structure can be somewhat open, sometimes less than 50% cover. The major graminoid species include <i>Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua hirsuta, Calamovilfa longifolia, Carex siccata, Carex inops ssp. heliophila, Cyperus schweinitzii, Koeleria macrantha, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus cryptandrus</i>, and <i>Hesperostipa spartea</i>. Other graminoids that may be present include <i>Bouteloua curtipendula, Panicum virgatum</i>, and <i>Sorghastrum nutans</i> (in wetter years). Characteristic forbs include <i>Antennaria plantaginifolia, Ambrosia psilostachya, Dalea villosa</i>, and less commonly <i>Penstemon grandiflorus</i>. Shrubs are sparsely distributed in this type. Species include <i>Artemisia frigida, Amorpha canescens, Prunus pumila, Rosa arkansana</i>, and <i>Salix humilis</i>. Diagnostic characteristics include sand-preferring species, such as <i>Sporobolus cryptandrus, Carex inops ssp. heliophila, Cyperus schweinitzii</i>, and <i>Dalea villosa</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:33967-{EE77CD2E-E226-4E58-9067-92120CB4D59A}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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