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CEGL004393 Rhus aromatica - Celtis tenuifolia / Carex eburnea Cliff Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fragrant Sumac - Dwarf Hackberry / Bristleleaf Sedge Cliff Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Fragrant Sumac Limestone Cliff Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association contains open rocky shrubland vegetation known from limestone and other calcareous cliffs of Daniel Boone National Forest and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Kentucky. Stands are dominated by Rhus aromatica and Celtis tenuifolia, with Carex eburnea as a characteristic herbaceous species. Quercus muehlenbergii is often present as a component of the tall-shrub layer and sometimes present in the canopy. Other shrubs which may be present include Frangula caroliniana, Physocarpus opulifolius, Philadelphus hirsutus, Viburnum prunifolium, Ptelea trifoliata, Paxistima canbyi, and Zanthoxylum americanum. In addition, Solidago sphacelata may be present. A "southern variant" may contain Hypericum frondosum. The herbaceous layer at Cumberland Gap is rich and contains such species as Brachyelytrum erectum, Helianthus spp., Packera anonyma, and Bromus pubescens.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In a statewide analysis of Virginia plot data, the plot sampling from Cumberland Gap was classified with 19 plots as ~Quercus muehlenbergii - Cercis canadensis / Packera obovata - Lithospermum canescens Woodland (CEGL006231)$$. In the Virginia vegetation classification, clifftop woodlands are treated as CEGL006231 (Fleming and Patterson 2011a).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are dominated by Rhus aromatica and Celtis tenuifolia, with Carex eburnea as a characteristic herbaceous species. Quercus muehlenbergii is often present as a component of the tall-shrub layer and sometimes present in the canopy. Other shrubs which may be present include Frangula caroliniana, Physocarpus opulifolius, Philadelphus hirsutus, Viburnum prunifolium, Ptelea trifoliata, Paxistima canbyi, and Zanthoxylum americanum. In addition, Solidago sphacelata may be present. A "southern variant" may contain Hypericum frondosum. The herbaceous layer at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is rich and contains such species as Brachyelytrum erectum, Helianthus spp., Packera anonyma, and Bromus pubescens.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This open rocky shrubland vegetation is known from ridgetops, clifftop ledges, and margins of cliffs composed of limestone and other calcareous material in the Daniel Boone National Forest of Kentucky.
Geographic Range: Known occurrences are currently restricted to eastern Kentucky, potentially for a distance southwest-northeast along the Cumberland Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686252
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Na Eastern North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D051 | 6.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Na.1 Shrubby Fivefingers - Rock Polypody / Cup Lichen species Eastern North American Cliff & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M111 | 6.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Na.1.c Appalachian Cliff & Rock Vegetation Group | G840 | 6.B.1.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A3994 Appalachian Mafic - Circumneutral Cliff Alliance | A3994 | 6.B.1.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL004393 Fragrant Sumac - Dwarf Hackberry / Bristleleaf Sedge Cliff Shrubland | CEGL004393 | 6.B.1.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < IE1c. Interior Upland Calcareous Cliff (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- White, R. D., Jr. 2006. Vascular plant inventory and ecological community classification for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 246 pp.