Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Stands of this forest association are dominated by Pinus echinata, Quercus stellata, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), and Carya glabra. The short-shrub stratum is dominated by Vaccinium pallidum; the herbaceous stratum is typically dominated by perennial grasses. In particular, Piptochaetium avenaceum is characteristic of examples in the southern Daniel Boone National Forest (Kentucky), but not in its northern portions, where Danthonia spicata replaces it. In an example from the Talladega National Forest, Talladega Ranger District, Pinus echinata and Carya glabra dominate the closed canopy, which also contains Quercus montana, Quercus velutina, and Quercus stellata. The shrub layer is dominated by Vaccinium pallidum; other shrubs include Cornus florida, Vaccinium arboreum, and Vaccinium stamineum. The open herbaceous stratum includes Piptochaetium avenaceum, Coreopsis major, Symphyotrichum concolor, Symphyotrichum patens, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Helianthus microcephalus, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Some stands may have Quercus coccinea instead of Quercus stellata. The canopy of an example from the Chattahoochee National Forest, Armuchee Ranger District, is dominated by Pinus echinata and Quercus montana; other canopy components of this stand include Quercus coccinea, Carya glabra, Pinus virginiana, and Nyssa sylvatica. The shrub layer includes Vaccinium pallidum and Vaccinium stamineum. The herbaceous layer in this example is very sparse.

Dynamics:  This association represents a more frequently burned, more open variant of ~Pinus echinata - Quercus (montana, falcata) / Oxydendrum arboreum / Vaccinium pallidum Forest (CEGL007493)$$. Piptochaetium avenaceum is characteristic of examples in the southern Daniel Boone National Forest (Kentucky), but not in its northern portions, where Danthonia spicata replaces it.