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Rhododendron catawbiense - Pieris floribunda - Alnus viridis ssp. crispa Southern Appalachian Shrub Bald Group | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Rhododendron catawbiense - Pieris floribunda - Alnus viridis ssp. crispa Southern Appalachian Shrub Bald Group
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: These dense shrubland communities are found in the highest elevational zone of the Southern Appalachians, generally above 1524 m (5000 feet) but occasionally to 1220 m (4000 feet), and at slightly lower elevations at its northern limit in Virginia and West Virginia, and in the Cumberland Mountains along the Virginia-Kentucky border. The vegetation consists of dense shrubby areas most often dominated by <i>Rhododendron catawbiense</i>, but substantial examples are also dominated by <i>Rhododendron carolinianum, Kalmia latifolia</i>, or a mixture of shrubs. One large (and unusual) example dominated by <i>Alnus viridis ssp. crispa</i> is also included. Heath balds may contain sparse stunted trees barely larger than the shrub canopy. This combination of high-elevation, non-wetland sites and dense shrub vegetation without appreciable rock outcrop conceptually distinguishes this group from all others in the Southern Appalachians. However, the widespread areas of degraded spruce-fir with grass and/or shrub cover and the invasion of balds by trees blur the distinction somewhat. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40305-{4CEA88EF-7E82-47E6-B044-3B4C79FBAB67}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 04-May-2015 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.877352 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: G658
  Scientific: Rhododendron catawbiense - Pieris floribunda - Alnus viridis ssp. crispa Southern Appalachian Shrub Bald Group