Login | Datasets | Logout
 

View Community Concepts - Detail

Schizachyrium scoparium - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana - Croton michauxii var. ellipticus Grassland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
  click to update datacart
Name: Schizachyrium scoparium - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana - Croton michauxii var. ellipticus Grassland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This dry to xeric Arkansas River Valley prairie community occurs as relatively small isolated patches on shaly knobs within a larger complex of dry-mesic and mesic tallgrass prairies. The only currently known location is in the Massard Prairie complex in the northeastern portion of Fort Chaffee. The vegetation is somewhat sparse (&lt;75% cover), and there is much exposed soil. The vegetation is predominantly herbaceous, less than 60 cm (2 feet) tall, with widely scattered <i>Quercus stellata</i>. There are a few <i>Diospyros virginiana</i> and <i>Rhus copallinum</i> shrubs (sprouts) present. This community becomes shrubby with fire suppression. Dominant species include <i>Schizachyrium scoparium, Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana</i>, and <i>Croton michauxii var. ellipticus</i>. Other species include <i>Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea, Buchnera americana, Helianthus mollis, Pityopsis graminifolia, Liatris aspera, Dichanthelium</i> spp., <i>Plantago aristata, Solidago missouriensis, Solidago nemoralis</i>, and <i>Solidago speciosa</i>. The exotic <i>Lespedeza cuneata</i> is invasive. Fire and edaphic factors limit woody vegetation in stands of this community. The soils are shallow Mountainburg-Montevallo complex, which are derived from weathering of acidic sandstones and shales, respectively. These soils are acidic, sandy and sandy clay loams with low water-holding capacities; they tend to be excessively drained and droughty. This dry community occurs where the shale is close to the surface. This community is situated as small patches within ~<i>Schizachyrium scoparium - Dichanthelium</i> spp. - <i>Buchnera americana - Echinacea pallida</i> Grassland (CEGL007827)$$. The type location is in Franklin County, Arkansas. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:36616-{1753338E-C8DE-4D26-A9E0-7C4056872CAE}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 01-Oct-2000 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689241 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL008564
  Translated: Little Bluestem - Silver Beardgrass - Willdenow's Croton Grassland
  Common: Arkansas Cherokee Prairie, Xeric Phase
  Scientific: Schizachyrium scoparium - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana - Croton michauxii var. ellipticus Grassland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL008564
(similar) Schizachyrium scoparium - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana - Croton willdenowii Herbaceous Vegetation
(similar) Schizachyrium scoparium - Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana - Croton willdenowii Herbaceous Vegetation