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CEGL004268 Aquilegia canadensis - Asplenium heterochroum - Polymnia laevigata - Urtica chamaedryoides Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Columbine - Bicolored Spleenwort - Tennessee Leafcup - Heartleaf Nettle Grassland

Colloquial Name: North Florida Limestone Rock Outcrop

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This Panhandle Florida community consists of vegetation growing on limestone outcrops 1-5 m high, occurring on lower slopes adjoining bottomlands, mostly to entirely shaded by trees rooted in deeper soils of adjoining forests, but with highly distinctive floristic composition. Shrubs and woody vines, such as Decumaria barbara, Hydrangea quercifolia, Ptelea trifoliata, and Acer floridanum, are sometimes rooted in solution pockets in the top and sides of the outcrops and can be locally abundant. Herbaceous species include Aquilegia canadensis, Polymnia laevigata, Thelypteris kunthii, Asplenium heterochroum, Oxalis sp., Pilea pumila, Laportea canadensis, Pachysandra procumbens, Urtica chamaedryoides, Melica mutica, Arenaria lanuginosa, Chaerophyllum tainturieri, and Carex willdenowii. Bryophytes are locally abundant, and include Anomodon attenuatus, Conocephalum conicum, and Marchantia sp. The alien Lonicera japonica may also be present. The lowermost portions of the outcrops are very rarely flooded by extreme flood events.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Examples at Florida Caverns State Park, Jackson County, Florida.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The principal herbaceous species in this dominant stratum include Aquilegia canadensis, Polymnia laevigata, Thelypteris kunthii, Asplenium heterochroum, Oxalis sp., Pilea pumila, Laportea canadensis, Pachysandra procumbens, Urtica chamaedryoides, Melica mutica, Arenaria lanuginosa, Chaerophyllum tainturieri, and Carex willdenowii. Bryophytes are locally abundant, and include Anomodon attenuatus, Conocephalum conicum, and Marchantia sp. Shrubs and woody vines, such as Decumaria barbara, Hydrangea quercifolia, Ptelea trifoliata, and Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum) are sometimes rooted in solution pockets in the top and sides of the outcrops and can be locally abundant. The invasive alien Lonicera japonica may also be rooted in these solution pockets and may dominate parts of lower quality examples.

Dynamics:  The lowermost portions of the outcrops where this association is found are very rarely flooded by extreme flood events.
Environmental Description:  This community consists of vegetation growing on limestone outcrops 1-5 m high, occurring on lower slopes adjoining bottomlands. Stands are mostly to entirely shaded by trees rooted in deeper soils of adjoining forests, but have a highly distinctive floristic composition.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in Panhandle Florida.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL?, FL


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1?

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.Nh Southeastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D102 2.B.2.Nh
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nh.3 Poverty Dropseed - Little Bluestem - Calamint species Southern Barrens & Glade Macrogroup M308 2.B.2.Nh.3
Group 2.B.2.Nh.3.a Little Bluestem - Limestone Calamint - Nuttall''s Rayless-goldenrod Southeastern Coastal Plain Barrens & Glade Group G584 2.B.2.Nh.3.a
Alliance A4090 Southern Coastal Plain Circumneutral Bedrock Grassland Alliance A4090 2.B.2.Nh.3.a
Association CEGL004268 Red Columbine - Bicolored Spleenwort - Tennessee Leafcup - Heartleaf Nettle Grassland CEGL004268 2.B.2.Nh.3.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): A.S. Weakley

Author of Description: A.S. Weakley

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-01-95
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.