Name:
Pinus virginiana - Quercus stellata / Amelanchier stolonifera / Danthonia spicata / Leucobryum glaucum Woodland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This community occupies exposed, xeric outcrops along high-gradient stretches of the New River in West Virginia and the Potomac River in Maryland and northern Virginia. It has an open to nearly closed canopy dominated by a mixture of evergreen conifer and deciduous tree species over a diverse understory of shrubs and herbs often with heavy ground cover by mosses and lichens. In West Virginia stands, the open canopy is dominated by about equal amounts of <i>Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana</i> and <i>Pinus virginiana</i>. Associated deciduous tree species include <i>Quercus stellata, Fraxinus americana, Celtis occidentalis, Ulmus americana</i>, and <i>Cercis canadensis</i>. The dense shrub layer includes <i>Amelanchier stolonifera, Rhus copallinum, Rosa carolina</i>, and <i>Viburnum prunifolium</i>. Vines include <i>Toxicodendron radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia</i>, and <i>Vitis aestivalis</i>. The exotics <i>Ligustrum vulgare, Rubus phoenicolasius, Lonicera japonica</i>, and <i>Rosa multiflora</i> may also be present. The herbaceous layer has high representation of grasses; species include <i>Andropogon virginicus, Danthonia spicata, Leersia virginica, Melica mutica</i>, and <i>Piptochaetium avenaceum</i>. The fern ally <i>Selaginella rupestris</i> may also contribute significant ground cover. Cover by mosses and lichens is variable and may approach 90%. The Potomac Gorge stands are woodlands or open forests of stunted trees (usually 7 m tall or less). The overstory may be strongly dominated by <i>Pinus virginiana</i> or by a mix of <i>Pinus virginiana, Carya glabra, Quercus montana, Quercus rubra</i>, and <i>Quercus stellata</i>. <i>Fraxinus americana</i> and <i>Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana</i> are minor, but constant, associates and are most often limited to the subcanopy, where <i>Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana</i> is often abundant. A sparse tall-shrub layer is present, with <i>Chionanthus virginicus, Viburnum prunifolium, Amelanchier arborea</i>, and <i>Rhus copallinum</i> most frequent. A short-shrub layer is often present and dominated by <i>Vaccinium pallidum</i>; <i>Hypericum prolificum, Rosa carolina</i>, and <i>Amelanchier stolonifera</i> are less frequent. The herbaceous layer is somewhat sparse to moderately dense, with <i>Danthonia spicata</i> the most abundant species, and <i>Carex umbellata, Carex tonsa var. tonsa, Carex nigromarginata, Helianthus divaricatus, Comandra umbellata, Solidago ulmifolia, Eupatorium hyssopifolium var. laciniatum, Potentilla canadensis, Silene caroliniana, Stylosanthes biflora, Symphyotrichum patens, Dichanthelium laxiflorum, Dichanthelium depauperatum, Dichanthelium commutatum, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, Dichanthelium villosissimum, Houstonia caerulea</i>, and <i>Houstonia longifolia</i> often present. Vines are occasional; <i>Smilax glauca</i> and <i>Vitis aestivalis</i> are the most frequent species.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:36513-{4F58607A-6991-4BA0-ADAF-C670C8EE0F2B}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
11
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