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CEGL003950 Hudsonia tomentosa / Panicum amarum var. amarulum Dwarf-shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Woolly Beach-heather / Coastal Panicgrass Dwarf-shrubland

Colloquial Name: Central Coast Beach-heather Dune Dwarf-shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is a maritime beach heather community of mid-Atlantic sand dunes. The unstable substrate is influenced by wind-deposited sand and supports no soil development; large patches of sparsely vegetated or unvegetated sand are common. The community is characterized by Hudsonia tomentosa occurring as discrete patches that may coalesce into a dense mat on older, more stabilized dunes. A number of other shrubs such as Morella pensylvanica, Morella cerifera, Pinus taeda saplings, and rarely Prunus maritima may occur but are low in abundance and cover. Schizachyrium littorale, Ammophila breviligulata, Aristida tuberculosa, Spartina patens, and Panicum amarum var. amarulum are common grasses of this community, and Toxicodendron radicans is a common vine. Other herbaceous associates include Lechea maritima, Cyperus grayi, Artemisia stelleriana, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Solidago sempervirens, and Diodia teres. Small saplings of Pinus taeda may occur. This community is locally common on coastal dunes from New Jersey to northern North Carolina.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Smaller patches of open sand supporting Hudsonia tomentosa occurring within a matrix of ~Pinus taeda / Hudsonia tomentosa Woodland (CEGL006052)$$ should not be regarded as separate occurrences of ~Hudsonia tomentosa / Panicum amarum var. amarulum Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL003950)$$. This association occurs in more exposed settings, usually in relatively more unstable interdunes that experience regular sand movement, while ~Pinus taeda / Hudsonia tomentosa Woodland (CEGL006052)$$ occurs in more protected locations.

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

Floristics: This community is a maritime dwarf-shrubland characterized by Hudsonia tomentosa, a species adapted to sand burial. Hudsonia tomentosa is dominant, occurring as discrete patches that may coalesce into a dense mat on older, more stabilized dunes. A number of other shrubs, such as Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Pinus taeda saplings, and Prunus maritima, may occur but in low abundance and cover. Schizachyrium littorale (= Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale), Ammophila breviligulata, Aristida tuberculosa, Spartina patens, and Panicum amarum are common grasses of this community, and Toxicodendron radicans is a common vine. Other herbaceous associates include Lechea maritima, Cyperus grayi, Artemisia stelleriana, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Solidago sempervirens, and Diodia teres.

Dynamics:  This association grades into Ammophila breviligulata-dominated dunes and into maritime shrub thickets.
Environmental Description:  This community is largely confined to maritime interdunes. Influenced by wind-deposited sand, the substrate is unstable and supports no soil development and large patches of sparsely vegetated or unvegetated sand are common.
Geographic Range: The association is restricted to barrier beaches from New Jersey to northern North Carolina.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  DE, MD, NC, NJ, VA


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3

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.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation F005 2.B.4
Division 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division D026 2.B.4.Na
Macrogroup 2.B.4.Na.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup M057 2.B.4.Na.2
Group 2.B.4.Na.2.c Northern Bayberry - American Beachgrass - Shore Little Bluestem Dune & Grassland Group G493 2.B.4.Na.2.c
Alliance A1062 Woolly Beach-heather Dune Dwarf-shrubland Alliance A1062 2.B.4.Na.2.c
Association CEGL003950 Woolly Beach-heather / Coastal Panicgrass Dwarf-shrubland CEGL003950 2.B.4.Na.2.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Hudsonia tomentosa - Ammophila breviligulata dune scrub association (Clancy 1993a) [Delaware.]
= Hudsonia tomentosa / Panicum (amarum, amarulum) Dwarf-shrubland (Bartgis 1986)
= Hudsonia tomentosa / Panicum amarum var. amarulum Dwarf-shrubland (Bowman 2000)
= Hudsonia dune community (Hill 1986) [Assateague Island.]
= Hudsonia dunes (Higgins et al. 1971) [Assateague Island.]
= Beach heather community (Collins and Anderson 1994) [New Jersey.]
< Dune crest community (Clampitt 1991) [Virginia.]
>< Dunegrass - beach heather - low thicket mixture (Martin 1959b) [New Jersey.]
Concept Author(s): A. Berdine and L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: L.A. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-14-95
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