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CEGL007932 Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Silphium spp. Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Rosinweed species Grassland
Colloquial Name: Southern Ridge & Valley Dry-Mesic Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These are mesic to dry-mesic perennial grasslands of the southern Ridge and Valley of Tennessee. This vegetation is dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium and Sorghastrum nutans, in patches of various combinations and percent covers depending on slope position. It also contains Andropogon spp., Dichanthelium spp., and diverse forbs. These grasslands are best developed on mid to lower slopes, where soils are deep enough to support perennial grasses. Silphium terebinthinaceum can be a prominent feature of this vegetation type. Some other taxa present include Hypericum dolabriforme, Manfreda virginica, Silphium asteriscus, and Silphium trifoliatum. Some examples of this vegetation are partly maintained by mechanical clearing of powerline rights-of-way. A slightly more mesic community which may occur adjacent to this one is ~Andropogon gerardii - Panicum (anceps, virgatum) Grassland (CEGL007931)$$. Under conditions of fire suppression, Juniperus virginiana may invade examples of this vegetation and can form dense stands which suppress herbaceous plants.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Described from Oak Ridge Reservation, Anderson and Roane counties, Tennessee. Currently most available habitat for this vegetation is found in annually mowed powerline rights-of-way. See also ~Andropogon gerardii - Panicum (anceps, virgatum) Grassland (CEGL007931)$$, which is typically more mesic.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: These perennial grasslands occur in the southern Ridge and Valley of Tennessee.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684753
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
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.3 Little Bluestem - Dropseed species Central Interior Calcareous Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M508 | 2.B.2.Nc.3 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.3.a Big Bluestem - Little Bluestem - Ashy Sunflower Patch Prairie Group | G174 | 2.B.2.Nc.3.a |
| Alliance | A3890 Little Bluestem - Splitbeard Bluestem - Sideoats Grama Patch Prairie Alliance | A3890 | 2.B.2.Nc.3.a |
| Association | CEGL007932 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass - Rosinweed species Grassland | CEGL007932 | 2.B.2.Nc.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Dry-mesic Barrens (sites 2 and 4) (DeSelm et al. 1969)
< ID4a. Bluestem Tallgrass Prairie (Allard 1990)
< ID4a. Bluestem Tallgrass Prairie (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.
- DeSelm, H. R., P. B. Whitford, and J. S. Olson. 1969. The barrens of the Oak Ridge area, Tennessee. The American Midland Naturalist 81:315-330.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.