Print Report

CEGL004624 Panicum virgatum - Tripsacum dactyloides Grand Prairie/Big Barrens Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Switchgrass - Eastern Gamagrass Grand Prairie/Big Barrens Grassland

Colloquial Name: Grand Prairie/Big Barrens Wet-Mesic Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This wet-mesic to wet grassland type is poorly defined at present and may require redefinition or subdivision as more information becomes available. It represents vegetation of this alliance found in the Grand Prairie Subsection of Arkansas and related areas of the Mississippi River Alluvial Basin Section, as well as the Big Barrens of Kentucky. It may also be found in related areas of the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain; this needs to be reviewed. Examples would be dominated by Panicum virgatum and Tripsacum dactyloides. This vegetation could occur in poorly drained flats, or possibly in shallow sloughs and ditches. More information is needed. In disturbed landscapes, the nominal species may be found scattered in ditches; this may indicate that the type was formerly present and has been locally extirpated. This association may need to be split or redefined as more information becomes available.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The Arkansas GAP Classification (Foti et al. 1994) has a palustrine type as well, P5A4aI1a. Tripsacum dactyloides, P5a1aI2a. Panicum virgatum. Remnants in Kentucky are on poorly drained flats in the Big Barrens. In regard to the possible occurrence in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain, compare to ~Lythrum alatum - Panicum anceps - Symphyotrichum lanceolatum Wet-Mesic Blackland Grassland (CEGL007962)$$.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Examples would be dominated by Panicum virgatum and Tripsacum dactyloides.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  This vegetation could occur in poorly drained flats, or possibly in shallow sloughs and ditches. In disturbed landscapes, the nominal species may be found scattered in ditches; this may indicate that the type was formerly present and has been locally extirpated.

Geographic Range: This wet-mesic to wet grassland type could be found in the Grand Prairie Subsection of Arkansas, related areas of the Mississippi River Alluvial Basin Section, the Big Barrens of Kentucky, and possibly in related areas of the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AR, KY, TN?




Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G2?

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: < Grand Prairie region native prairie (Irving et al. 1980)

Concept Author(s): Southeastern Ecology Group

Author of Description: Southeastern Ecology Group

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-26-97

  • Evans, M., B. Yahn, and M. Hines. 2009. Natural communities of Kentucky 2009. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort, KY. 22 pp.
  • Foti, T., M. Blaney, X. Li, and K. G. Smith. 1994. A classification system for the natural vegetation of Arkansas. Proceedings of the Arkansas Academy of Science 48:50-53.
  • Irving, R. S., S. Brenholts, and T. Foti. 1980. Composition and net primary production of native prairies in eastern Arkansas. American Midland Naturalist 103(1):289-309.
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.