Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wand Butterfly-bush - Mexican-buckeye / Red Columbine - Virginia Snakeroot Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This community occurs on limestone rimrock along mesic canyons in the southern portion of the Edwards Plateau of central Texas. It occurs on the Edwards Limestone, and geologically similar limestone formations (such as the Devils River and Segovia formations), and less commonly on the Glen Rose formation. Normally, it occurs as a lengthy but relatively narrow band (5-10 m wide) along the flat upper surface of the rimrock, and extends onto sloping to vertical limestone exposures, with shrubs and herbs rooted in fissures and crevices in the rock. Dominant shrubs are Buddleja racemosa, Ungnadia speciosa, and Toxicodendron radicans ssp. eximium. Other characteristic woody components (many of them endemic to the Edwards Plateau or with restricted distributions) are Ageratina havanensis, Eysenhardtia texana, Morus microphylla, Quercus sinuata var. breviloba, Rhus virens var. virens, and Toxicodendron pubescens. A rare shrub restricted to this community is Philadelphus ernestii. Other woody plants can include Callicarpa americana, Celtis laevigata var. laevigata, Celtis laevigata var. reticulata, Cornus drummondii, Croton fruticulosus, Diospyros texana, Fraxinus albicans, Carya ovata, Ilex decidua, Juniperus ashei, Nolina lindheimeriana, Nolina texana, Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Prunus mexicana, Prunus serotina var. eximia, Ptelea trifoliata var. persicifolia, Quercus buckleyi, Quercus fusiformis, Rhus trilobata var. trilobata, Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. rigidum, Smilax bona-nox, Ulmus crassifolia, Viburnum rufidulum, and Yucca rupicola. Characteristic herb species of this community are Acalypha phleoides, Aquilegia canadensis, Argyrochosma dealbata, Aristolochia serpentaria, Asplenium resiliens, Brickellia cylindracea, Chamaesyce villifera, Cheilanthes alabamensis, Cheilanthes horridula, Desmodium psilophyllum, Euphorbia cyathophora, Lespedeza texana, Linum rupestre, Mentzelia oligosperma, Mirabilis albida, Oxalis dillenii, Pellaea atropurpurea, Pellaea ovata, Perityle lindheimeri var. lindheimeri, Polygala lindheimeri, Phyllanthus polygonoides, and Salvia roemeriana. Upslope, this shrubland adjoins Juniperus ashei woodlands or Quercus fusiformis woodlands. Downslope (in the canyons), it adjoins mesic deciduous or mixed deciduous-evergreen oak forests and woodlands.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available