Print Report

CEGL004048 Schedonorus (arundinaceus, pratensis) Ruderal Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Tall Fescue, Meadow Fescue) Ruderal Grassland

Colloquial Name: Cultivated Grassland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association includes grassland pastures and hayfields, more-or-less cultural, though sometimes no longer actively maintained. It is currently defined for the Central and Southern Appalachians, Ozarks, Ouachita Mountains, and parts of the Piedmont and Interior Low Plateau, but it is possible throughout much of the eastern United States and southern Canada. The dominant species in this type are the European "tall or meadow fescues" (Schedonorus spp.) of uncertain and controversial generic placement. Several other exotic grasses, including Agrostis gigantea, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus, Phleum pratense, and Poa pratensis, are common associates. These communities are sometimes nearly monospecific but can also be very diverse and contain many native as well as exotic species of grasses, sedges, and forbs. Exotic forbs include the legumes Lespedeza cuneata, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium hybridum, Trifolium pratense, and Trifolium repens, as well as Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis, Calystegia sepium, Daucus carota, Leucanthemum vulgare, Oxalis stricta, and Plantago lanceolata. Common native herbs include Apocynum cannabinum, Desmodium canescens, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Erigeron annuus, Fragaria virginiana, Potentilla simplex, Solanum carolinense, Solidago canadensis, and Verbesina occidentalis.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The dominant species in this association are the European "tall or meadow fescues" of uncertain and controversial generic placement. Although traditionally treated as Festuca pratensis (= Festuca elatior) and Festuca arundinacea, these two closely related species are treated here as Schedonorus pratensis and Schedonorus arundinaceus, respectively. Conversion to USDA Plants (2017) standard has necessitated the shift to the Schedonorus names from Lolium.

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

Floristics: This association represents early-successional herbaceous and herb-shrub vegetation dominated by or having a large component of exotic grasses and legumes. The dominant species in this association are the European "tall or meadow fescues" (Schedonorus spp.). These communities are sometimes nearly monospecific but can also be very diverse and contain many native species of grasses, sedges, and forbs. Woody encroachment is restricted to low cover by Toxicodendron radicans and species of Rubus, both of which become more abundant in older stands. Scattered individuals of various shrubs may be present, including Crataegus crus-galli, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Fraxinus americana, Rosa multiflora, Robinia pseudoacacia, Cornus florida, Elaeagnus umbellata, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis, and Sassafras albidum. In the Central Appalachians and northern Cumberlands, the dominant exotic grasses include Agrostis gigantea, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus, Schedonorus pratensis (= Lolium pratense), Phleum pratense, and Poa pratensis. Exotic forbs include the legumes Lespedeza cuneata, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium hybridum, Trifolium pratense, and Trifolium repens, as well as Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis, Calystegia sepium, Daucus carota, Leucanthemum vulgare, Oxalis stricta, and Plantago lanceolata. Common native herbs include Apocynum cannabinum, Desmodium canescens, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Erigeron annuus, Fragaria virginiana, Potentilla simplex, Solanum carolinense, Solidago canadensis, and Verbesina occidentalis. In the Black Belt region of Alabama and Mississippi, it is commonly found in mixture with Paspalum dilatatum (Bransby n.d.), and the exotic Bromus tectorum may be present in stands.

Dynamics:  This association varies greatly depending upon past land use and recent history of the site. Some examples that have been recently farmed may be monocultures of Schedonorus, whereas other fields that were traditionally lightly grazed may have much higher diversity. If not grazed, periodically mowed or burned, vegetation will succeed towards woody physiognomy.
Environmental Description:  This association includes grassland pastures and hayfields, more-or-less cultural, though sometimes no longer actively maintained. It occurs in areas which have been cleared in the past, including abandoned farmlands, strip mines, and other areas disturbed by human activities.
Geographic Range: This association is currently documented from the southern half of the Central Appalachians through the Gulf Coastal Plain and west to the Ozarks and Ouachitas. It is possible throughout much of the eastern United States.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, GA, KY, MD, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, VA, WV


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

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.Nh Southeastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D102 2.B.2.Nh
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nh.90 Broomsedge Bluestem - Blackberry species - Annual Ragweed Southeastern Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup M307 2.B.2.Nh.90
Group 2.B.2.Nh.90.a Broomsedge Bluestem - Annual Ragweed - Sawtooth Blackberry Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Group G583 2.B.2.Nh.90.a
Alliance A3321 Broomsedge Bluestem - Annual Ragweed - Canadian Horseweed Eastern Ruderal Grassland Alliance A3321 2.B.2.Nh.90.a
Association CEGL004048 (Tall Fescue, Meadow Fescue) Ruderal Grassland CEGL004048 2.B.2.Nh.90.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Festuca pratensis - (Holcus lanatus) - Solidago canadensis herbaceous vegetation (Vanderhorst 2001b)
= Lolium (arundinaceum, pratense) Herbaceous Vegetation (Nordman 2004a)
= Schedonorus (phoenix, pratensis) Herbaceous Vegetation (Diamond et al. 2013)
< Cleared Areas (Schmalzer and DeSelm 1982)
Concept Author(s): C. Nordman (2004a)

Author of Description: A.S. Weakley and S.C. Gawler

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-06
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