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CEGL002210 Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Andropogon gerardii - Lespedeza capitata Sand Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Big Bluestem - Round-head Bushclover Sand Grassland

Colloquial Name: Midwest Dry-Mesic Sand Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This dry-mesic sand bluestem prairie community is found in the upper midwestern United States and adjacent Canada. Stands occur on flat to moderately sloping sites with sand, loamy sand, or, rarely, sandy loam soils. The deep, well-drained soils formed from eolian sand, glacial outwash, old dunes, alluvium, or sandy glacial lakeplains. Sparse to moderately dense mid- and tallgrasses dominate the community. Forbs do not contribute greatly to vegetation cover but forb diversity is generally moderate to high. The most abundant species in this community are Andropogon gerardii, Carex spp., Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, and Hesperostipa spartea. Other common species include Liatris aspera, Lespedeza capitata, Lithospermum caroliniense, Symphyotrichum ericoides, and Dalea villosa. Woody species tolerant of dry conditions, such as Salix humilis, Populus tremuloides, and Acer rubrum, are sometimes found in this community.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: In Minnesota, the distinction between a dry versus dry-mesic sand prairie is not clear; thus their dry prairie, barrens subtype is listed here and with ~Schizachyrium scoparium - Danthonia spicata - Carex pensylvanica - (Viola pedata) Sand Grassland (CEGL002318)$$. In Minnesota, the northwest and central barrens subtypes are also placed with ~Schizachyrium scoparium - Hesperostipa spartea - Bouteloua (curtipendula, gracilis) Sand Grassland (CEGL005204)$$. Finally, this type should be compared with ~Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Hypoxis hirsuta - Baptisia tinctoria Grassland (CEGL006187)$$, found on Long Island, New York. This type could be in northern Missouri in the upper Mississippi River region.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Sparse to moderately dense mid- and tallgrasses dominate this community. Forbs do not contribute greatly to vegetation cover, but forb diversity is generally moderate to high (MNNHP 1993). The most abundant species in this community are Andropogon gerardii, Carex spp., Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, and Hesperostipa spartea (= Stipa spartea). Other common species include Liatris aspera, Lespedeza capitata, Lithospermum caroliniense, Symphyotrichum ericoides (= Aster ericoides), and Dalea villosa. Woody species tolerant of dry conditions, such as Salix humilis, Populus tremuloides, and Acer rubrum, are sometimes found in this community.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This community is found on flat to moderately sloping sites with sand, loamy sand, or, rarely, sandy loam soils (White and Madany 1978, MNNHP 1993). The deep, well-drained soils formed from eolian or alluvial sand south of the limit of glaciation and also from glacial outwash, old dunes, alluvium, or sandy glacial lakeplains (Chapman 1984, Nelson 1985).
Geographic Range: This dry-mesic sand bluestem prairie community is found in the upper midwestern United States.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, OH, ON, WI


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3

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.c Big Bluestem - Indiangrass - Porcupine Grass Tallgrass Prairie Group G333 2.B.2.Nb.1.c
Alliance A4047 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass Central Sand & Gravel Grassland Alliance A4047 2.B.2.Nb.1.c
Association CEGL002210 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Big Bluestem - Round-head Bushclover Sand Grassland CEGL002210 2.B.2.Nb.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Andropogon gerardii - Lespedeza capitata Sand Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Dry-Mesic Sand Prairie]
= Mesic Sand Prairie (Chapman 1984)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: J. Drake

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 10-28-96
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