Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem - Big Bluestem - Prairie Rosinweed Coosa Valley Barren Grassland

Colloquial Name: Coosa Valley Wet Barrens

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This barrens vegetation occurs in the Coosa River valley of northwestern Georgia and northeastern Alabama. It represents the wetter end of a spectrum of small prairie-like openings in a mosaic of gently rolling terrain over a substrate of Conasauga Group geology, which includes calcareous shales and limestones. These small openings (generally less than 1 ha) are dominated by a mixture of perennial grasses and forbs, many of which are disjunct midwestern prairie species or narrowly distributed endemics adapted to the unique edaphic factors present at these sites. This mesic or wetter variant occurs in lower topographic situations over deep shrink-swell clays that are saturated for part of the year and dry and cracked like pavement during later portions of the growing season. Prairie-related grasses such as Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon gerardii, and Sorghastrum nutans typically predominate along with Silphium terebinthinaceum. In addition, Panicum virgatum is also a dominant grass species. Prairie goldenrods such as Oligoneuron rigidum, Oligoneuron album, and the remarkably disjunct Oligoneuron riddellii are also distinct components. Other disjunct elements include Lysimachia quadriflora, Juncus filipendulus, and Rhynchospora thornei. This association is further characterized by the presence of narrow endemics such as Helianthus x verticillatus and Marshallia mohrii. Other dominant herbaceous species found in this association include Pycnanthemum virginianum, Ptilimnium costatum, Ludwigia microcarpa, Physostegia virginiana, Cirsium muticum, Helenium autumnale, Liatris spicata, Mitreola petiolata, Allium cernuum, Mecardonia acuminata, Symphyotrichum laeve var. concinnum, and Rhynchospora caduca. Some example of this wetter barrens vegetation can include Dodecatheon meadia and Schoenolirion croceum.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Joint efforts between The Nature Conservancy, Temple - Inland, Inc., a forest products company in Georgia, and the Georgia Natural Heritage Program have led to the identification and protection of some significant examples of this extremely rare habitat type in Floyd County, Georgia. Examples in Alabama (e.g., Tom Cat Prairie, Etowah County, Alabama) have nearly been completely destroyed by conversion to loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations. The striking combination of disjunct prairie species and globally rare narrow endemics are indicative of the unique soil conditions.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available