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CEGL004523 Carex biltmoreana - Pycnanthemum spp. - Krigia montana Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Stiff Sedge - Mountainmint species - Mountain Dwarf-dandelion Grassland
Colloquial Name: Southern Appalachian Stiff Sedge Granitic Dome
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is restricted to granitic outcrops in the Southern Appalachians, south of Asheville, North Carolina, and south to Georgia. This association is found on sloping exfoliation surfaces with generally 10-80% cover of vascular plants. Stands are dominated by Carex biltmoreana. Scattered woody plants may be within an occurrence. Other characteristic species include Krigia montana, Houstonia longifolia, Schizachyrium scoparium, Diervilla sessilifolia, Melampyrum lineare, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Coreopsis pubescens, Coreopsis major, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum, Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri, Pycnanthemum beadlei, Symphyotrichum patens var. patens, Heuchera villosa, Fraxinus americana, Sassafras albidum, and Saxifraga michauxii. This community occupies seasonal or temporary seepage over rock, and is moister than Selaginella tortipila communities, which can occur on the same mountains, or sometimes, even in juxtaposition. This community occurs as small patches (typically less than 10 acres) within a forested matrix.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Some occurrences of this association may be floristically similar to communities on granitic domes, such as ~Selaginella tortipila - Krigia montana - Houstonia longifolia Rocky Grassland (CEGL004283)$$, but this community is smaller, more vegetated, and occurs within a forested matrix. It is often overlooked in community inventories.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this association are dominated by Carex biltmoreana. Scattered woody plants may be within an occurrence. Other characteristic species include Krigia montana, Houstonia longifolia (= var. glabra), Schizachyrium scoparium, Diervilla sessilifolia, Melampyrum lineare, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Coreopsis pubescens, Coreopsis major, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum (= var. ramulosum), Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri, Pycnanthemum beadlei, Symphyotrichum patens var. patens (= Aster patens var. patens), Heuchera villosa, Fraxinus americana, Sassafras albidum, and Saxifraga michauxii.
A stand in the Chattahoochee National Forest (Georgia) which is assigned here is dominated by Carex biltmoreana, Pycnanthemum sp., Saxifraga michauxii, and Coreopsis pubescens. Other herbs include Elymus virginicus, Thalictrum revolutum, Symphyotrichum sp. (= Aster sp.), Andropogon gerardii, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum, Eryngium yuccifolium var. yuccifolium, Heuchera americana, Oenothera fruticosa, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Tradescantia sp., Euphorbia corollata, Krigia virginica, Penstemon sp., Cheilanthes lanosa, and Galactia regularis. Scattered woody plants include Pinus virginiana, Quercus alba, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Prunus angustifolia, Fraxinus americana, Mimosa microphylla (= Schrankia microphylla), and Hypericum hypericoides ssp. multicaule.
A stand in the Chattahoochee National Forest (Georgia) which is assigned here is dominated by Carex biltmoreana, Pycnanthemum sp., Saxifraga michauxii, and Coreopsis pubescens. Other herbs include Elymus virginicus, Thalictrum revolutum, Symphyotrichum sp. (= Aster sp.), Andropogon gerardii, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum, Eryngium yuccifolium var. yuccifolium, Heuchera americana, Oenothera fruticosa, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Tradescantia sp., Euphorbia corollata, Krigia virginica, Penstemon sp., Cheilanthes lanosa, and Galactia regularis. Scattered woody plants include Pinus virginiana, Quercus alba, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Prunus angustifolia, Fraxinus americana, Mimosa microphylla (= Schrankia microphylla), and Hypericum hypericoides ssp. multicaule.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This community is restricted to granitic outcrops in the Southern Appalachians, south of Asheville, North Carolina. It ranges south to Georgia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, NC, SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684209
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D024 | 2.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nc.1 Catawba Rosebay / Michaux''s Saxifrage - Flattened Oatgrass Felsic & Mafic Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M506 | 2.B.2.Nc.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d Wretched Sedge - Michaux''s Saxifrage - Highbush Blueberry Appalachian Rocky Outcrop Group | G670 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Alliance | A1621 Michaux''s Saxifrage - Wretched Sedge - Little Bluestem Rocky Grassland Alliance | A1621 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Association | CEGL004523 Stiff Sedge - Mountainmint species - Mountain Dwarf-dandelion Grassland | CEGL004523 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < IE4c. Southern Appalachian High Elevation Granitic Dome (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Hoagland, Bruce W. Personal communication. Ecologist, Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, University of Oklahoma, Norman.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.