Print Report

CEGL004968 Pinus rigida - Quercus stellata / Andropogon gerardii - Packera paupercula Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pitch Pine - Post Oak / Big Bluestem - Balsam Groundsel Woodland

Colloquial Name: Southern Blue Ridge Ultramafic Woodland (Prairie Type)

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association represents upland ultramafic woodlands of the Southern Blue Ridge of Virginia. Examples are typified by an open canopy dominated by Pinus rigida, Quercus stellata, Pinus strobus, with lesser amounts of Acer rubrum, Betula lenta, Quercus rubra, and Prunus serotina var. serotina. Dry rocky openings which support grassland vegetation are scattered throughout. Dominants include Andropogon gerardii, Schizachyrium scoparium, Packera paupercula, and Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum. Other species include Spiraea alba var. latifolia, Sorghastrum nutans, Ceanothus americanus, Zigadenus leimanthoides, Liatris pilosa, Sanguisorba canadensis, Asclepias verticillata, Thalictrum revolutum, Zizia aptera, and Cladonia spp.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Examples at The Glades (Grayson County, Virginia).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Vegetation is typified by an open canopy dominated by Pinus rigida, Quercus stellata, Pinus strobus, with lesser amounts of Acer rubrum, Betula lenta, Quercus rubra, and Prunus serotina var. serotina. Dry rocky openings which support grassland vegetation are scattered throughout. Dominants include Andropogon gerardii, Schizachyrium scoparium, Packera paupercula (= Senecio pauperculus), and Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum. Other species include Spiraea alba var. latifolia (= Spiraea latifolia), Sorghastrum nutans, Ceanothus americanus, Zigadenus leimanthoides, Liatris pilosa (= Liatris graminifolia), Sanguisorba canadensis, Asclepias verticillata, Thalictrum revolutum, Zizia aptera, and Cladonia spp.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This association is restricted to ultramafic substrates in the Southern Blue Ridge of Virginia.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  VA


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D024 2.B.2.Nc
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nc.1 Catawba Rosebay / Michaux''s Saxifrage - Flattened Oatgrass Felsic & Mafic Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup M506 2.B.2.Nc.1
Group 2.B.2.Nc.1.c Little Bluestem - Balsam Groundsel - Prairie Groundsel Appalachian Mafic Glade Group G180 2.B.2.Nc.1.c
Alliance A4679 <i>Pinus rigida - Quercus alba - Quercus stellata</i> Ultramafic Grassy Woodland Alliance A4679 2.B.2.Nc.1.c
Association CEGL004968 Pitch Pine - Post Oak / Big Bluestem - Balsam Groundsel Woodland CEGL004968 2.B.2.Nc.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus strobus - Pinus rigida - Quercus stellata / Ceanothus americanus / Andropogon gerardii - Packera paupercula Woodland (Fleming et al. 2001)
Concept Author(s): G.P. Fleming et al. (2001)

Author of Description: G.P. Fleming

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-01-97
  • Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
  • Fleming, G. P., P. P. Coulling, D. P. Walton, K. M. McCoy, and M. R. Parrish. 2001. The natural communities of Virginia: Classification of ecological community groups. First approximation. Natural Heritage Technical Report 01-1. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 76 pp.
  • Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulling. 2001. Ecological communities of the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Preliminary classification and description of vegetation types. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 317 pp.
  • Fleming, Gary P. Personal communication. Ecologist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA.
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.