Name:
Quercus stellata Interior Flatwoods Forest Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This flatwoods or clay barrens forest and woodland alliance is found in the south-central United States. The canopy is typically strongly dominated by <i>Quercus stellata</i>, which is characteristic, but may also include <i>Quercus alba, Quercus bicolor, Quercus falcata, Quercus marilandica</i>, and, more rarely, <i>Quercus palustris</i>. In Illinois, the shrub and woody vine strata may contain <i>Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Rosa carolina, Rubus allegheniensis, Rubus flagellaris</i>, and <i>Toxicodendron radicans</i>. The herbaceous layer can be fairly disparate from one stand to the next. Some stands can be dominated by <i>Cinna arundinacea, Chasmanthium latifolium</i>, and <i>Eleocharis tenuis var. verrucosa</i>. Plants more typical of dry and dry-mesic soil grow on slight rises, including <i>Carex festucacea, Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, Helianthus divaricatus</i>, and others. Stunted trees are often present due to unfavorable soil conditions. Examples of this alliance occur on level or nearly level soil with a well-developed hardpan or argilic clay layer. This hardpan is an impermeable or nearly impermeable layer of subsoil that causes a shallowly perched water table. The hardpan impedes water percolation and subsoil recharge (stops movement of water up to the dry surface soil from deeper, more moist soil) in the summer, resulting in droughty conditions, and also slows drainage during wet periods. Stands are dominated by trees, but canopy closure is variable and dependent on disturbances such as fire and native grazing. In southern Illinois, stands of this alliance occur in very poorly drained areas with <i>Quercus stellata</i> the only abundant tree species, creating a cathedral-like overstory. The height growth of <i>Quercus stellata</i> trees stops when the trees reach about 30 cm in diameter, creating a maximum tree height of 22-23 m. At some sites, stunted trees may be present due to unfavorable soil conditions.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38717-{BC110F08-E108-4BDF-BAFB-71416A064340}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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