Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Smooth Blackberry - (Grayleaf Red Raspberry) / Common Ladyfern - Clustered Goldenrod Shrubland

Colloquial Name: High-Elevation Blackberry Thicket

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This vegetation occurs at high elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. It is a successional type found on exposed sites with frequent or intense natural disturbances (such as shrub invasion of grazed fire meadows). Some examples result from severe disturbance of spruce-fir forests (including balsam woolly adelgid-affected stands and stands which were severely burned after logging). It occurs on exposed summits and high slopes, typically at elevations over 1830 m (6000 feet), but slightly lower in Virginia. This community includes high-elevation Appalachian Rubus thickets and differs from Rubus thickets on grassy balds by predominance of forbs rather than sedges and by frequent presence of Rubus idaeus. Vegetation is variously dominated by dense Rubus canadensis or by dense Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides and Solidago glomerata (on more-protected sites). In examples related to death of Abies fraseri, the standing dead Abies fraseri often tower above the shrubs and herbs, and there is usually much downed woody debris. There can be a large variation in the structural characteristics of these communities, and in some instances they may approach (or technically reach) a woodland condition with Prunus pensylvanica forming a scattered, open, low-canopy layer (<50% cover). In addition, Sorbus americana, Ilex montana, Acer rubrum, Cornus alternifolia, and Vaccinium simulatum are some other woody species that can occur as a part of this sparse canopy or tall-shrub layer. Other species present include Agrostis perennans, Angelica triquinata, Oclemena acuminata, Carex brunnescens, Carex crinita, Carex intumescens, Carex debilis, Cinna latifolia, Clintonia borealis, Danthonia compressa, Diervilla sessilifolia, Oxalis montana, and Rugelia nudicaulis. Scattered living Picea rubens, Betula alleghaniensis, and Amelanchier laevis may occur. The long-term future of this community is uncertain, but it appears to be fairly stable over periods of several decades. A variation of this community occurs in areas such as Shining Rock Wilderness and parts of the Great Smoky Mountains, where intense fires occurred after logging had taken place. These intense fires, due to the accumulated slash, burned down nearly to mineral soil. These areas do not have as much coarse woody debris from downed spruce or fir and often have a canopy approaching that of a woodland with sparse coverage of Sorbus americana and Prunus pensylvanica.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This community differs from Rubus thickets on grassy balds by predominance of forbs rather than sedges and by frequent presence of Rubus idaeus. This association does not include Grass Balds that have been invaded by Rubus; such situations are covered in ~Rubus allegheniensis - Rubus canadensis / Carex pensylvanica Shrubland (CEGL003892)$$.

This is successional vegetation resulting from severe disturbance of spruce-fir forests. It appears to be fairly stable over periods of several decades. This vegetation is now a natural part of high-elevation landscapes in the Southern Blue Ridge and an important part of the functioning landscape, but it is not a conservation target in and of itself.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available