Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: In Tennessee, this community has sparse to moderately dense cover of vascular plants and also has substantial cover of nonvascular plants. Vascular plants root in the horizontal crevices. Most abundant vascular species are Heuchera villosa var. villosa, Asplenium trichomanes ssp. trichomanes, and Thalictrum clavatum. Other vascular species present include Hydrangea arborescens, Rhododendron maximum, Laportea canadensis, Trautvetteria caroliniensis var. caroliniensis, Dryopteris intermedia, Dryopteris marginalis, Polypodium appalachianum, Asplenium montanum, and (rarely) Phegopteris connectilis and Saxifraga caroliniana. Conocephalum conicum is a common and conspicuous nonvascular plant.

The three Virginia occurrences have similar vegetation, but the full floristic composition and patterns of variation over this cliff will probably never be known due to the extreme inaccessibility of the habitat and the danger involved with inventory. At all three sites, Hydrangea arborescens, Physocarpus opulifolius var. opulifolius, Heuchera villosa var. villosa, Saxifraga caroliniana, Solidago arguta, Campanula divaricata, Dryopteris marginalis, and Sedum ternatum are important species. Other species that could be observed on one or two of the cliffs include Cystopteris bulbifera, Packera obovata, Solidago ulmifolia var. ulmifolia, Helianthus divaricatus, Carex pensylvanica, and Arabis laevigata var. laevigata. Stunted, shrub-sized trees of Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, and Carya glabra are also scattered in crevices, especially near the tops of the cliffs. Vegetation ranges from sparse on vertical faces to rather dense on shelves and sloping faces where veneers of soil have accumulated.

Dynamics:  This community is generally stable. Periodic rock fall occurs.