Print Report
CEGL007844 Pinus palustris / Quercus laevis / Schizachyrium scoparium - Stipulicida setacea Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Longleaf Pine / Turkey Oak / Little Bluestem - Pineland Scaly-pink Woodland
Colloquial Name: South Atlantic Dry Longleaf Pine Sandhill
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This xeric association occurs primarily in the Fall-line Sandhills region of the South Atlantic Coastal Plain of Georgia and adjacent South Carolina, but can occur on isolated pockets of coarse sand further east along major rivers. This type occurs on xeric, coarse sands and is relatively species-poor. Pinus palustris forms an open canopy and Quercus laevis is the dominant species in the subcanopy layer, although Quercus incana and Quercus margarettae are also typical. The shrub layer is relatively sparse and is characterized most notably by Gaylussacia dumosa and Vaccinium stamineum. The two most abundant species in the herbaceous stratum are Aristida beyrichiana and Schizachyrium scoparium, although Aristida beyrichiana is absent in this type in the wiregrass gap of South Carolina. Other characteristic herbaceous species include classic xerophytes such as Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus, Aureolaria pectinata, Euphorbia ipecacuanhae, Minuartia caroliniana, Stipulicida setacea, and Stylisma patens.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This xeric association is distinguished by its location in the Fall-line Sandhills region and the adjacent Inner Coastal Plain of South Carolina and Georgia within the range of Aristida beyrichiana. The herbaceous layer is relatively species-poor, but Schizachyrium scoparium, Aureolaria pectinata, and Stipulicida setacea are diagnostic.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Description has been changed based on 13 plots from the Carolina Vegetation Survey (http://vegbank.org/cite/VB.ds.199650.CEGL007844). Two subassociations were recognized within this type: Subassociation A based on 5 plots (http://vegbank.org\cite\VB.ds.199672.7844_1) and Subassociation B based on 8 plots (http://vegbank.org\cite\VB.ds.199673.7844_2). The original concept and description of this type were quite broad, encompassing sandhills from Florida to South Carolina. A more focused description of the type is proposed to indicate primarily Fall-line Sandhills of South Carolina and Georgia from the wiregrass gap southwest, but with additional occurrences along major rivers downstream, such as at the Tillman Sand Ridge in southeastern South Carolina. The former description reports a single plot from the Osceola National Forest (http://vegbank.org/get/comprehensive/observation/81094), but in numerical analysis this plot clusters with the scrubby flatwoods of ~Pinus palustris - Pinus elliottii / Quercus chapmanii / Aristida beyrichiana Woodland (CEGL007750)$$, which is in a different USNVC group, i.e., ~Mesic Longleaf Pine Flatwoods - Spodosol Woodland Group (G596)$$. ~Pinus palustris / Quercus laevis - Quercus geminata / Rhynchospora megalocarpa Woodland (CEGL003590)$$ has been attributed to the Georgia Coastal Plain, but these occurrences belong to this association (CEGL007844), with CEGL003590 confined to areas north of the wiregrass gap. ~Pinus palustris / Quercus laevis / Licania michauxii / Pityopsis aspera Woodland (CEGL003583)$$ has been attributed to xeric sands of the Georgia Coastal Plain, but these sites as well appear to belong to CEGL007844. The name has been modified to more accurately reflect typical composition with an emphasis on Stipulicida over Baptisia, and constancy of Schizachyrium scoparium over Aristida beyrichiana.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Subassociation A of this type has an open canopy of Pinus palustris and a scrub oak layer strongly dominated by Quercus laevis, although Quercus incana is also common, but substantially less abundant. The shrub layer is usually sparse and frequently contains Diospyros virginiana, Vaccinium arboreum, Gaylussacia dumosa, Vaccinium stamineum, Sassafras albidum, and Hypericum hypericoides. The relatively species-poor herbaceous layer is dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus junceus, and Tephrosia virginiana. Other characteristic xerophytic herbs that occur in greater than 60% of plots include Euphorbia ipecacuanhae, Aureolaria pectinata, Carphephorus bellidifolius, Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus (= Cnidoscolus stimulosus), Dichanthelium ovale, Galactia sp., Ionactis linariifolius, Pityopsis graminifolia, Liatris sp., Minuartia caroliniana, Rhynchospora grayi, Stipulicida setacea, Aristida purpurascens, Eriogonum tomentosum, Solidago odora var. odora, and Stylisma patens. Aristida beyrichiana is uncommon due to the Subassociation A''s primary location in the "wiregrass gap" of central South Carolina.
Subassociation B differs from Subassociation A as it has a greater abundance of Quercus incana and Quercus margarettae in the subcanopy/shrub layer, and considerably less Pinus palustris in the overstory layer. Although Schizachyrium scoparium is constant and abundant, Aristida beyrichiana dominates this subassociation in southern South Carolina and adjacent Georgia within the range of Aristida beyrichiana. The common shrub species in Subassociation B are similar to those described above except Rhus copallinum and Opuntia humifusa are also frequent in this type. Other characteristic herbs in order of importance include Liatris sp., Pityopsis graminifolia, Solidago odora var. odora, Aristida purpurascens, Bulbostylis ciliatifolia var. coarctata (= Bulbostylis coarctata), Rhynchospora grayi, Stylisma patens, Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus, Gelsemium sempervirens, Ruellia caroliniensis, Stipulicida setacea var. setacea, Tragia urens, Tephrosia florida, Tephrosia virginiana, Aureolaria pectinata, Baptisia perfoliata, Dichanthelium ovale, Eriogonum tomentosum, and Galactia sp.
Subassociation B differs from Subassociation A as it has a greater abundance of Quercus incana and Quercus margarettae in the subcanopy/shrub layer, and considerably less Pinus palustris in the overstory layer. Although Schizachyrium scoparium is constant and abundant, Aristida beyrichiana dominates this subassociation in southern South Carolina and adjacent Georgia within the range of Aristida beyrichiana. The common shrub species in Subassociation B are similar to those described above except Rhus copallinum and Opuntia humifusa are also frequent in this type. Other characteristic herbs in order of importance include Liatris sp., Pityopsis graminifolia, Solidago odora var. odora, Aristida purpurascens, Bulbostylis ciliatifolia var. coarctata (= Bulbostylis coarctata), Rhynchospora grayi, Stylisma patens, Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus, Gelsemium sempervirens, Ruellia caroliniensis, Stipulicida setacea var. setacea, Tragia urens, Tephrosia florida, Tephrosia virginiana, Aureolaria pectinata, Baptisia perfoliata, Dichanthelium ovale, Eriogonum tomentosum, and Galactia sp.
Dynamics: In northeastern Florida, this type occurs in possibly only a single small patch on the Osceola National Forest. At this locality it is surrounded by more mesic flatwood vegetation which encroaches in the absence of fire. Given the small patch size of this sandhill, its fire-return interval may be naturally infrequent.
Environmental Description: This xeric association of the Fall-line Sandhills of South Carolina and Georgia occurs mainly on coarse, sandy soils of Typic Quartzipsamments (Lakeland series) particularly in South Carolina, but also on Typic Kanhapludults, Typic Udipsamments, Grossarenic Kandiudults, and Arenic Kanhapludults.
Geographic Range: This xeric association occurs primarily in the Fall-line Sandhills of South Carolina and Georgia, but also can occur in the adjacent Inner Coastal Plain on coarse, sandy soils. It may also occur in northeastern Florida, but additional information is needed to confirm this type''s full extent in Florida. Subassociation A occurs primarily in central South Carolina in the "wiregrass gap" region, including Aiken and Richland counties. Subassociation B occurs in Georgia (Jefferson, McDuffie, and Richmond counties) and in southern South Carolina (Barnwell and Jasper counties).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: FL?, GA, SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684185
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Na Southeastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D006 | 1.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.1 Longleaf Pine / Pineland Three-awn Woodland Macrogroup | M007 | 1.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Na.1.c Longleaf Pine / Turkey Oak Xeric Woodland Group | G154 | 1.B.1.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A4075 Longleaf Pine / Turkey Oak / Little Bluestem Woodland Alliance | A4075 | 1.B.1.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL007844 Longleaf Pine / Turkey Oak / Little Bluestem - Pineland Scaly-pink Woodland | CEGL007844 | 1.B.1.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus palustris / Quercus laevis - Quercus incana / Aristida beyrichiana - Baptisia perfoliata Woodland (Peet 2006) [2.2.1]
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Palmquist, K. A., R. K. Peet, and S. C. Carr. 2016. Xeric longleaf pine vegetation of the Atlantic and East Gulf Coast Coastal Plain: An evaluation and revision of associations within the U.S. National Vegetation Classification. Proceedings of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification. [in press]
- Peet, R. K. 2006. Ecological classification of longleaf pine woodlands. Pages 51-93 in: S. Jose, E. J. Jokela, and D. L. Miller, editors. The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem: Ecology, Silviculture, and Restoration. Springer Science Business Media, LLC, New York.
- SCWMRD [South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department]. 2018. Unpublished data. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Columbia.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Wharton, C. H. 1978. The natural environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta. 227 pp.