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CEGL004027 Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Andropogon gerardii - Bifora americana Vertisol Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Big Bluestem - Prairie Bishop Vertisol Grassland
Colloquial Name: Vertisol Blackland Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This tallgrass prairie community occurs on Vertisols in the southern and central portions of the Blackland Prairie and in the Fayette Prairie regions of Texas. In the northern Blackland Prairie region this type dominates areas where gilgai are poorly developed, as well as occurring in microhighs of gilgai microtopography in close association with ~Tripsacum dactyloides - Panicum virgatum - Sorghastrum nutans - Helianthus maximiliani Grassland (CEGL002217)$$. Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon gerardii, and Bifora americana are dominant and/or characteristic species. Secondary grass species include Nassella leucotricha, Bouteloua curtipendula, Elymus canadensis, and Koeleria macrantha. Associated forbs and legumes include Silphium radula, Helianthus maximiliani, Stenaria nigricans, Symphyotrichum ericoides, Phlox pilosa, Callirhoe alcaeoides, Castilleja purpurea, Salvia azurea, Eryngium yuccifolium, Liatris punctata var. mucronata, Dalea multiflora, Dalea tenuis, Astragalus crassicarpus, and Mimosa roemeriana.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In the absence of fire and/or mowing this type may be rapidly invaded by woody species, especially Ulmus crassifolia, Celtis laevigata, and Maclura pomifera. Relatively high-quality examples are known from Leonhardt Prairie (TNC, Falls County, Texas), Clymer Meadow (TNC, Hunt County, Texas), and Parkhill Prairie (County Park, Collin County, Texas).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon gerardii, and Bifora americana are dominant and/or characteristic species. Secondary grass species include Nassella leucotricha, Bouteloua curtipendula, Elymus canadensis, and Koeleria macrantha (= Koeleria pyramidata). Associated forbs and legumes include Silphium radula, Helianthus maximiliani, Stenaria nigricans (= Hedyotis nigricans), Symphyotrichum ericoides (= Aster ericoides), Phlox pilosa, Callirhoe alcaeoides, Castilleja purpurea, Salvia azurea, Eryngium yuccifolium, Liatris punctata var. mucronata (= Liatris mucronata), Dalea multiflora, Dalea tenuis, Astragalus crassicarpus, and Mimosa roemeriana (= Schrankia roemeriana).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This tallgrass prairie community occurs on Vertisols in the southern and central portions of the Blackland Prairie and in the Fayette Prairie regions of Texas (Diamond and Smeins 1990). In the northern Blackland Prairie region this type dominates areas where gilgai are poorly developed, as well as occurring in microhighs of gilgai microtopography in close association with ~Tripsacum dactyloides - Panicum virgatum - Sorghastrum nutans - Helianthus maximiliani Grassland (CEGL002217)$$.
Geographic Range: This tallgrass prairie community occurs in the southern and central portions of the Blackland Prairie and in the Fayette Prairie of Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684000
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1G2
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nb Central North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D023 | 2.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nb.1 Big Bluestem - Indiangrass - Dense Blazingstar Tallgrass Prairie Macrogroup | M054 | 2.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nb.1.a Little Bluestem - Prairie Bishop - Brownseed Crowngrass Tallgrass Prairie Group | G335 | 2.B.2.Nb.1.a |
| Alliance | A4063 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Big Bluestem Grassland Alliance | A4063 | 2.B.2.Nb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL004027 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Big Bluestem - Prairie Bishop Vertisol Grassland | CEGL004027 | 2.B.2.Nb.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Schizachyrium-Sorghastrum-Andropogon community type (Diamond and Smeins 1985)
< Schizachyrium-Sorghastrum-Andropogon community type (Diamond and Smeins 1988)
? Little Bluestem-Indiangrass-Big Bluestem Association (Diamond and Smeins 1990)
< Schizachyrium-Sorghastrum-Andropogon community type (Diamond and Smeins 1988)
? Little Bluestem-Indiangrass-Big Bluestem Association (Diamond and Smeins 1990)
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- Diamond, D. D., and F. E. Smeins. 1985. Composition, classification and species response patterns of remnant tallgrass prairies in Texas. The American Midland Naturalist 113:249-308.
- Diamond, D. D., and F. E. Smeins. 1988. Gradient analysis of remnant true and upper coastal prairie grasslands of North America. Canadian Journal of Botany 66:2152-2161.
- Diamond, D. D., and F. E. Smeins. 1990. The prairie--The native plant communities of the blackland prairie. Unpublished draft report. Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, Austin, TX.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.