Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Riverflat Hawthorn) / Little Bluestem - Switchgrass - Hogwort Wet Sand Barrens

Colloquial Name: Arkansas Lowland Little Bluestem - Switchgrass Wet Sand Barrens

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This seasonally flooded grassland occurs only in extreme southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana in the bottoms along the Ouachita River on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain. Ecologically, the wet sand barrens community structure and composition are edaphically controlled, forming only on the Haggerty soil series. The flora is maintained by a seasonally flooded hydrology, with summer-droughty, low water-holding capacity soils combined with deep winter flooding, and a high level of exchangeable aluminum which can be toxic to many plants. The herbaceous vegetation is typically short (60-90 cm [2-3 feet]), sparse to dense, with bare soil present in some areas. This community can become shrubby, perhaps due to lack of fire, and encroachment of woody species can occur. Dominant herbaceous species include Schizachyrium scoparium, Diodia teres, Croton capitatus, and Panicum virgatum. Woody species are found around the edges of the barrens and sporadically distributed through the interior. They are seldom over 3 m (10 feet) tall and are frequently multi-stemmed. Woody species may include Cephalanthus occidentalis, Cornus foemina, Crataegus opaca, Crataegus viridis, Diospyros virginiana, Gleditsia triacanthos, Hibiscus lasiocarpos, Ilex decidua, Liquidambar styraciflua, Styrax americanus, Vaccinium arboreum, and Vaccinium fuscatum. These barrens are surrounded by mature bottomland hardwood forests dominated by Quercus phellos and Quercus nigra, as well as Quercus lyrata-dominated flatwoods and sloughs, with large Pinus taeda on slightly higher topographic positions. The barrens are situated in Quaternary Period, Pleistocene Epoch Lacustrine deposits (e.g., beaches and sand bars of relict lakes), on the lower levels of the Pleistocene age Deweyville Terrace that are within the frequent floodplain of the Ouachita River. The Haggerty soil series is a nearly level, frequently flooded, somewhat poorly drained, low fertility soil with high levels of exchangeable aluminum. These sandy loams are neutral at the surface and medium acidic at the subsurface. A seasonably high water table fluctuates between the surface and a depth of 45 cm (1.5 feet). During inundation these areas are used as spawning grounds by fish from the Ouachita River. The type location is in Ashley County, Arkansas. A high-quality example of this community type is known at Coffee Prairie Natural Area.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This description is tentative pending further investigation.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available