Name:
Thuja occidentalis Appalachian Limestone Cliff Woodland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance contains woodlands (with variable canopy closure) of calcareous bedrock outcrops and limestone cliffs or steep slopes on which <i>Thuja occidentalis</i> is characteristic. The growth form is generally single-stemmed, but trees may be quite stunted. Associated canopy species can include <i>Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana, Ostrya virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus rubra</i>, and <i>Tsuga canadensis</i>. Shrubs and small trees may also include <i>Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Dirca palustris, Hydrangea arborescens, Ostrya virginiana, Rhus aromatica</i>, and <i>Viburnum acerifolium</i>. Herbaceous species vary with geography but include species favoring high base-status, such as <i>Asarum canadense, Carex eburnea, Cypripedium reginae, Cystopteris bulbifera</i>, and others, as well as other species tolerant of a wider base status, including <i>Chamaelirium luteum, Collinsonia canadensis, Dioscorea quaternata, Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Solidago arguta, Solidago curtisii, Pellaea atropurpurea</i>, and <i>Uvularia perfoliata</i>. This alliance occurs in the Central and Southern Appalachians and Alleghany Plateau on talus, limestone pavement, steep north-facing slopes, or calcareous cliffs, often associated with seepage. Moisture regime varies, with dry cliffs often interspersed with seepage areas.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:39124-{A22CE43B-A9A5-4A0B-990B-2A9FC7A30D8E}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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