Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The vegetation is dominated by tallgrass species. The grasses Saccharum alopecuroides (= Erianthus alopecuroides) and Andropogon gerardii are often abundant, along with Sorghastrum nutans and Schizachyrium scoparium. Piptochaetium avenaceum is locally abundant in more brushy or shady areas. Other common grasses include Andropogon glomeratus, Andropogon gyrans, Andropogon virginicus, Danthonia spicata (in brushy areas), Elymus glabriflorus (= var. australis), Dichanthelium commutatum (= Panicum commutatum), Dichanthelium laxiflorum (= Panicum laxiflorum), Dichanthelium dichotomum var. dichotomum (= Panicum microcarpon), Dichanthelium ravenelii (= Panicum ravenelii), and Tridens flavus. Sedges are generally minor species, but Carex striatula may be characteristic. The ferns Pteridium aquilinum and Dennstaedtia punctilobula are common in some brushy areas. Among the most abundant herbs are Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), Desmodium glabellum, Helianthus microcephalus, Lespedeza hirta, and Lespedeza violacea (= Lespedeza intermedia). Other common (or characteristic) species may include Angelica venenosa, Symphyotrichum patens (= Aster patens), Coreopsis major, Desmodium laevigatum, Desmodium viridiflorum, Eutrochium fistulosum (= Eupatorium fistulosum), Eupatorium pilosum, Helianthus atrorubens, Helianthus divaricatus, Helianthus strumosus, Hieracium gronovii, Rudbeckia fulgida, Solidago altissima, Solidago nemoralis, and Solidago odora. The most abundant woody species include Acer rubrum, Liriodendron tulipifera, Rhus copallinum, and Quercus alba, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Quercus stellata, Quercus velutina, Quercus coccinea, and Quercus falcata. Other common species are Carya glabra, Carya pallida, Carya tomentosa, Cornus florida, Kalmia latifolia, Rubus allegheniensis, Rubus pensilvanicus group, Sassafras albidum, and Smilax spp. (Campbell 2001). More information may be available from Marc Evans (KSNPC).

Dynamics:  The taller species may be favored by the submesic conditions and by the less intensive disturbance from mowing or herbiciding compared to other sites.