Print Report

CEGL006393 Vaccinium angustifolium / Schizachyrium scoparium - Carex lucorum Shrub Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lowbush Blueberry / Little Bluestem - Blue Ridge Sedge Shrub Grassland

Colloquial Name: Northern Sandplain Grassland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This type includes shrub-herbaceous sandplain grasslands along the Coastal Plain from southern Maine through Connecticut. It occurs on flat sandy plains or on deep outwash deposits on sites that are away from direct maritime influence. Vegetation is dominated by Danthonia spicata, Schizachyrium scoparium, Carex lucorum or Carex pensylvanica, and Vaccinium angustifolium. Associated species can include Lechea maritima, Piptatheropsis pungens, Solidago bicolor, Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae, Viola sagittata, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Asclepias tuberosa, Baptisia tinctoria, Carex vestita, Ionactis linariifolius, Sericocarpus asteroides, and Calystegia spithamaea. Scattered patches of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Comptonia peregrina, Gaylussacia baccata, and Photinia melanocarpa are common, as well as scattered individuals of Pinus rigida, Betula populifolia, and Prunus pensylvanica. Soils are extremely well-drained and acidic. Where this community occurs, native tree cover has been eliminated, with subsequent regular management through burning and/or cutting. In presettlement times, this community appears to have been maintained via a natural fire regime. This vegetation has been used extensively for blueberry production in certain locations; cover of Vaccinium has been greatly enhanced by fire and herbicide use. This community can also be found along some powerline rights-of-way where few or no herbicides are used.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The one viable Maine occurrence is in conservation ownership and is managed for the rare community, rare animals, and rare plants found there. Prescribed burning is a major management tool. This type appears to have been historically more common from southern Maine, New Hampshire, and eastern Massachusetts, but nearby sites that might have supported this community have either been developed or are in commercial blueberry production, where pesticide use precludes development of this community (Gawler 2001). It is related to pitch pine barrens vegetation, but without trees.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Vegetation is dominated by Danthonia spicata, Schizachyrium scoparium, Carex lucorum or Carex pensylvanica, and Vaccinium angustifolium. Associated species can include Lechea maritima, Piptatheropsis pungens (= Oryzopsis pungens), Solidago bicolor, Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae, Viola sagittata, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Asclepias tuberosa, Baptisia tinctoria, Carex vestita, Ionactis linariifolius, Sericocarpus asteroides, and Calystegia spithamaea. Scattered patches of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Comptonia peregrina, Gaylussacia baccata, and Photinia melanocarpa are common, as well as scattered individuals of Pinus rigida, Betula populifolia, and Prunus pensylvanica.

Dynamics:  Where this community occurs, native tree cover has been eliminated, with subsequent regular management through burning and/or cutting. In presettlement times, this community appears to have been maintained via a natural fire regime.

Environmental Description:  This type includes shrub-herbaceous sandplain grasslands along the Coastal Plain from southern Maine through Connecticut. It occurs on flat sandy plains or on deep outwash deposits on sites that are away from direct maritime influence. Soils are extremely well-drained and acidic.

Geographic Range: This association is found in near-coastal southern Maine through Massachusetts to Connecticut and New York.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CT?, MA, ME, NH, NY




Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Sandplain Grassland (Vickery 1990)

Concept Author(s): L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.C. Gawler and S.L. Neid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-23-06

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