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CEGL005280 Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Tradescantia bracteata Alkaline Bedrock Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Sticky Spiderwort Alkaline Bedrock Grassland
Colloquial Name: Midwest Dry-Mesic Limestone - Dolomite Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry-mesic alkaline grassland community is found in the central midwestern United States, in Missouri. Stands occur on gentle to moderately steep slopes of rolling hills and plains. The soil is typically well-drained, shallow to moderately deep (40-100 cm), neutral to slightly alkaline, stony, and formed over dolomite or limestone. Bedrock outcrops may be present. The vegetation in this community is typically medium dense and dominated by a combination of mid and tall grasses. Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, and Andropogon gerardii are common dominants. Other frequently occurring herbaceous species include Baptisia australis, Carex meadii, Camassia scilloides, Dodecatheon meadia, Echinacea pallida, Nothocalais cuspidata, Nemastylis geminiflora, Psoralidium tenuiflorum, and Tradescantia bracteata. Woody species, such as Juniperus virginiana, are sometimes found, especially where fire has not occurred for long periods.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The concept of this type is based on Missouri''s dry-mesic limestone/dolomite prairie (Nelson 1985). Dry limestone/dolomite prairie is also tracked here, but in future revisions to the Missouri state classification, that type will be merged with either limestone glade or dolomite glade types (M. Leahy pers. comm. 1999).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation in this community is typically medium dense and dominated by a combination of mid- and tallgrasses. Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, and Andropogon gerardii are common dominants. Other frequently occurring herbaceous species include Baptisia australis, Carex meadii, Camassia scilloides, Dodecatheon meadia, Echinacea pallida, Nothocalais cuspidata (= Agoseris cuspidata), Nemastylis geminiflora, Psoralidium tenuiflorum (= Psoralea tenuiflora), and Tradescantia bracteata. Woody species, such as Juniperus virginiana, are sometimes found, especially where fire has not occurred for long periods (Nelson 1985).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands of this community are usually found on hillslopes of southern to western aspects. The soil is typically well-drained, shallow to moderately deep (40-100 cm), and formed over dolomite or limestone (Nelson 1985). Bedrock outcrops are frequently present.
Geographic Range: This dry-mesic alkaline grassland community is found in the central midwestern United States, in Missouri.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684613
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.b Big Bluestem - Indiangrass - Little Bluestem Tallgrass Prairie Group | G334 | 2.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Alliance | A4046 Little Bluestem - Pale Purple Coneflower Southern Grassland Alliance | A4046 | 2.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL005280 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Sticky Spiderwort Alkaline Bedrock Grassland | CEGL005280 | 2.B.2.Nb.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Tradescantia bracteata Alkaline Bedrock Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= dry-mesic limestone/dolomite prairie (Nelson 1985)
= dry-mesic limestone/dolomite prairie (Nelson 1985)
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Leahy, Mike. Personal communication. Missouri Natural Heritage Database, Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Nelson, P. 2010. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Revised edition. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
- Nelson, P. W. 1985. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Jefferson City. 197 pp. Revised edition, 1987.