Name:
Central Midwest-Interior Cliff & Rock Vegetation Group
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This type is found on alkaline and acidic cliffs in the Midwest and Interior Highlands. Acidic cliff examples may be found on igneous, metamorphic, sandstone and shale bedrock. Trees are few and stunted, if present at all; characteristic woody plants include <i>Juniperus virginiana, Pinus echinata, Quercus marilandica</i>, and <i>Ulmus alata</i>. Herbaceous species include <i>Arabis missouriensis, Arisaema triphyllum, Asplenium bradleyi, Asplenium trichomanes, Chasmanthium latifolium, Cheilanthes lanosa, Coreopsis lanceolata, Danthonia spicata, Dryopteris goldieana, Dryopteris marginalis, Lechea tenuifolia, Mitella diphylla, Mitchella repens, Opuntia humifusa, Polygonum tenue, Polypodium virginianum, Sporobolus clandestinus</i>, and <i>Symphyotrichum oblongifolium</i>. Lichens include <i>Cladonia caroliniana, Pleopsidium chlorophanum</i>, and <i>Xanthoparmelia</i> spp., and mosses of the genera <i>Polytrichum</i> and <i>Thuidium</i> are often present.<br /><br />Alkaline cliffs in the central Midwest include those on limestone, dolostone, maderate and basic igneous rock substrates. Characteristic nonvascular and fern species need to be described. Herbaceous and shrub species from the unglaciated portion of the range include <i>Aquilegia canadensis, Arabis lyrata, Campanula rotundifolia, Cornus canadensis, Cystopteris bulbifera, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Galium triflorum, Physocarpus opulifolius, Solidago sciaphila</i>, and <i>Zigadenus elegans</i>. This vegetation occurs on near-vertical rockfaces on variable aspects. Moisture conditions are also variable and are affected by the degree of shading, presence of seepage, and other factors.<br /><br />In the Ozarks and Interior Low Plateau regions, a variety of seepage-fed cliffs are characterized by <i>Hydrangea arborescens</i> with seepage indicators such as <i>Impatiens pallida</i>. Overhanging tree species providing shade vary with location and rock chemistry. Associated shrubs may include <i>Staphylea trifolia, Physocarpus opulifolius, Hypericum prolificum</i>, and others. Herbaceous species are widely variable, and may include <i>Aquilegia canadensis, Cystopteris protrusa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Dodecatheon meadia, Dryopteris marginalis, Heuchera americana var. hirsuticaulis, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Pilea pumila, Polymnia canadensis, Toxicodendron radicans ssp. negundo</i>, and many others.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40398-{24601B6F-176C-47D4-A4BF-9644BCD5E665}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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