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CEGL003958 Vaccinium (angustifolium, myrtilloides, pallidum) Central Appalachian Dwarf-shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Lowbush Blueberry, Velvetleaf Huckleberry, Blue Ridge Blueberry) Central Appalachian Dwarf-shrubland

Colloquial Name: Central Appalachian Blueberry Dwarf-shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association occurs in the mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, extending north to the Catskills. It is found on mid- to high-elevation acidic rock outcrops or summits and is characterized by abundant dwarf Vaccinium spp. in areas with frequent fire and/or droughty soils. This community is dominated by heaths or heath-like shrubs (typically blueberries Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium pallidum) and is commonly referred to as "heath barrens." Soils are shallow accumulations of organic material on bedrock habitats. Small trees may be present but are very sparse. The herbaceous layer is usually sparse with low diversity. In addition to Vaccinium, the shrub layer typically contains other low shrubs such as Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia angustifolia, Lyonia ligustrina, and Comptonia peregrina, with Kalmia latifolia present in some areas. Quercus ilicifolia is frequently present, with variable cover, above the low heaths. Herbaceous plants scattered among the shrubs include Deschampsia flexuosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Carex pensylvanica, Carex argyrantha, Danthonia spicata, Piptatheropsis pungens, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Rubus hispidus, Melampyrum lineare, Solidago canadensis, Lycopodium dendroideum, and Lycopodium digitatum. Mosses (including Polytrichum spp.) and lichens usually are present.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type shares many species and the general environmental setting with ~Vaccinium angustifolium - Sorbus americana / Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL005094)$$, but it lacks species of more northern affinity such as Picea spp., Abies spp., and Sorbus spp., and is not characterized by Sibbaldiopsis tridentata. It results from frequent fires and droughty soils, with cold climate having less effect than in CEGL005094. Areas with similar floristics but occurring on sandplains, generally with a history of anthropogenic disturbance, are covered in ~Gaylussacia baccata - Vaccinium pallidum - Vaccinium corymbosum Shrubland (CEGL006622)$$. In Maryland, this type is associated with "sandstone glades" over Potsville sandstone formations of the Allegheny Plateau. Stands are positioned on bedrock pavement on upper slopes, ridges, and crests at 820-855 m (2700-2800 feet). They are characterized by dense heaths of Vaccinium pallidum and/or Gaylussacia baccata. Vaccinium angustifolium and Kalmia latifolia are present in 50% of plots with mean cover (N=4 plots) ranging from 10-25% and 5-10%, respectively. Also reported are stunted Quercus montana and Nyssa sylvatica at low cover, in addition to an occasional Sorbus americana. Mean species richness among four plots is 25, homoteneity is 0.780, and Bray-Curtis similarity is 0.541.

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

Floristics: This dwarf-shrubland is dominated by locally dense Vaccinium (Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium stamineum, and/or Vaccinium pallidum (= Vaccinium vacillans). Scattered small individuals of Pinus strobus, Pinus rigida, Prunus serotina, and/or Betula populifolia may occur where soil has accumulated. The herbaceous layer is usually sparse with low diversity. In addition to Vaccinium, the shrub layer typically contains other shrubs such as Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia angustifolia, Lyonia ligustrina, and Comptonia peregrina, with Kalmia latifolia present in some areas. Quercus ilicifolia is frequently present, with variable cover, above the low heaths. Herbaceous plants scattered among the shrubs include Deschampsia flexuosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Carex pensylvanica, Carex argyrantha, Danthonia spicata, Piptatheropsis pungens (= Oryzopsis pungens), Lysimachia quadrifolia, Rubus hispidus, Melampyrum lineare, Solidago canadensis, Lycopodium dendroideum, and Lycopodium digitatum. Mosses (including Polytrichum spp.) and lichens usually are present.

Dynamics:  Fire is an important natural disturbance agent, but some areas may be edaphically maintained.
Environmental Description:  These patchy communities are typically found on higher-elevation acidic rock outcrops or summits. Along with bedrock outcrops, ledges, summits of igneous or metamorphic rock, this association is sometimes found in depressions on valley floor frost pockets. Soils are shallow accumulations of organic material on bedrock habitats.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, extending north to the Catskills.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  MD, NJ, PA, WV


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4

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.e North-Central Appalachian Acidic Scrub & Grassland Group G789 2.B.2.Nc.1.e
Alliance A4111 <i>Vaccinium pallidum - Vaccinium</i> spp. - Sheep Laurel Rocky Heath Alliance A4111 2.B.2.Nc.1.e
Association CEGL003958 (Lowbush Blueberry, Velvetleaf Huckleberry, Blue Ridge Blueberry) Central Appalachian Dwarf-shrubland CEGL003958 2.B.2.Nc.1.e
Concept Lineage: Central Appalachian ecology group says these are redundant, 6083 archived as a result

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Vaccinium myrtilloides Dwarf-shrubland (Walton et al. 1997)
= Low Heath Shrubland (Fike 1999)
Concept Author(s): J. Fike (1999)

Author of Description: E. Largay and S.C. Gawler

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-04-10
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  • Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation, Bureau of Forestry, Harrisburg, PA. 86 pp.
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  • WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.
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