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CEGL007930 Schizachyrium scoparium - Rudbeckia missouriensis - Grindelia lanceolata - (Liatris punctata var. mucronata) Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem - Missouri Orange Coneflower - Narrowleaf Gumweed - (Cusp Blazingstar) Grassland
Colloquial Name: West Gulf Coastal Plain Fleming Calcareous Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This upland prairie of the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas and western Louisiana occurs in small, isolated patches on calcareous soils derived from the Fleming geologic formation. This herbaceous community is dominated by graminoids, composites, and legumes, with occasional emergent woody growth. Dominant and characteristic species in forb-dominated occurrences are locally variable but may include Dalea compacta var. compacta, Rudbeckia missouriensis, Rudbeckia hirta, Acacia angustissima, Liatris punctata var. mucronata, Eustoma exaltatum ssp. russellianum, Grindelia lanceolata, Agalinis heterophylla, Stenosiphon linifolius, Carex microdonta, Carex cherokeensis, Neptunia lutea, Indigofera miniata, Salvia azurea, Palafoxia reverchonii, Onosmodium bejariense var. occidentale, Liatris punctata var. mucronata, and Euphorbia bicolor. Occurrences rich in graminoids are dominated by Sorghastrum nutans, and Schizachyrium scoparium. The combination of periodic fire, soil chemistry, and physical properties is thought to be important in maintaining this community in a landscape otherwise historically dominated by forests.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community was originally described from Polk County, Texas, but conceptually extended to include all other Fleming prairies within the Pineywoods vegetation area of eastern Texas. At a later date, the closely related and overlapping Fleming prairies of western Louisiana were merged into this type as well. At the Polk County site this community is associated with poorly defined calcareous forests that include Quercus shumardii, Quercus nigra, Cornus drummondii, Carya ovata, Tilia americana var. caroliniana, Acer floridanum, Fraxinus americana, Cercis canadensis, Ostrya virginiana, Diospyros virginiana, and Viburnum rufidulum.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The grass component of these prairies is usually poorly developed and often weedy in nature, due to past soil disturbances and livestock grazing. However, species may include Paspalum pubiflorum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Sporobolus compositus, Panicum virgatum, Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon gerardii, Bouteloua rigidiseta, Bouteloua hirsuta, Andropogon virginicus, Andropogon glomeratus, and Aristida oligantha. Other species present include Euphorbia bicolor, Heliotropium tenellum, Salvia azurea, Astragalus distortus, Rhynchosia minima, Asclepias viridiflora, Solidago altissima, Symphyotrichum oolentangiense (= Aster oolentangiensis), Symphyotrichum drummondii (= Aster drummondii), and Manfreda virginica. Some examples have scattered Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Crataegus spathulata, and Crataegus crus-galli. Dominant and characteristic species are locally variable but may include Dalea compacta var. compacta, Rudbeckia missouriensis, Rudbeckia hirta, Acacia angustissima, Eustoma exaltatum ssp. russellianum (= Eustoma russellianum), Grindelia lanceolata, Agalinis heterophylla, Stenosiphon linifolius, Carex microdonta, Carex cherokeensis, Neptunia lutea, Indigofera miniata (= Indigofera miniata var. leptosepala), Onosmodium bejariense var. occidentale (= Onosmodium occidentale), Liatris punctata var. mucronata (= Liatris mucronata), and Euphorbia bicolor, all of which are rare or absent in the Pineywoods region as a whole, except in this community. Two especially unusual species (Penstemon cobaea and Allium stellatum) have only been documented at the "Lone Wolf" or "Windham Prairie" site in Polk County for which this type was first described.
In Louisiana, these upland herbaceous communities are treeless openings dominated by graminoids, composites, and legumes. These areas are typically 1 to 30 ha in size and occur within a forest matrix. Dominant species vary within and among occurrences. Common grasses include Sporobolus clandestinus, Sporobolus vaginiflorus var. ozarkanus (= Sporobolus ozarkanus), Andropogon gyrans, Schizachyrium scoparium, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Andropogon glomeratus, Andropogon gerardii, and Sorghastrum nutans. Other herbaceous species include Acacia angustissima, Ambrosia psilostachya, Arnoglossum plantagineum, Callirhoe papaver, Coreopsis lanceolata, Dalea candida, Dalea purpurea, Delphinium carolinianum, Desmanthus illinoensis, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea purpurea, Gaillardia aestivalis, Galactia volubilis, Stenaria nigricans (= Hedyotis nigricans), Mimosa strigillosa, Neptunia lutea, Penstemon digitalis, and Ruellia humilis. Nostoc sp. may occur on wetter patches. Scattered woody species may include Crataegus sp., Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Berchemia scandens, Diospyros virginiana, Cornus drummondii, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Ilex decidua, Smilax bona-nox, Fraxinus americana, and Gleditsia triacanthos. Many of the species used as nominals are distributed largely west of the geographic areas in which these prairies occur. They tend to become increasingly less common in more eastern examples, especially those in Louisiana. Louisiana rare plant species associated with this community include Sporobolus vaginiflorus var. ozarkanus, Carex microdonta, and Panicum flexile.
In Louisiana, these upland herbaceous communities are treeless openings dominated by graminoids, composites, and legumes. These areas are typically 1 to 30 ha in size and occur within a forest matrix. Dominant species vary within and among occurrences. Common grasses include Sporobolus clandestinus, Sporobolus vaginiflorus var. ozarkanus (= Sporobolus ozarkanus), Andropogon gyrans, Schizachyrium scoparium, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Andropogon glomeratus, Andropogon gerardii, and Sorghastrum nutans. Other herbaceous species include Acacia angustissima, Ambrosia psilostachya, Arnoglossum plantagineum, Callirhoe papaver, Coreopsis lanceolata, Dalea candida, Dalea purpurea, Delphinium carolinianum, Desmanthus illinoensis, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea purpurea, Gaillardia aestivalis, Galactia volubilis, Stenaria nigricans (= Hedyotis nigricans), Mimosa strigillosa, Neptunia lutea, Penstemon digitalis, and Ruellia humilis. Nostoc sp. may occur on wetter patches. Scattered woody species may include Crataegus sp., Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Berchemia scandens, Diospyros virginiana, Cornus drummondii, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Ilex decidua, Smilax bona-nox, Fraxinus americana, and Gleditsia triacanthos. Many of the species used as nominals are distributed largely west of the geographic areas in which these prairies occur. They tend to become increasingly less common in more eastern examples, especially those in Louisiana. Louisiana rare plant species associated with this community include Sporobolus vaginiflorus var. ozarkanus, Carex microdonta, and Panicum flexile.
Dynamics: All known examples are surrounded by a matrix of pine- and pine-hardwood-dominated forests. This community occurs in a matrix of infrequently burned calcareous forests. The historical fire frequency of this grassland is estimated to range from 5 to 20 years. Calcareous woody species such as Juniperus virginiana, Fraxinus americana, and Gleditsia triacanthos invade this community and change the physiognomy as a result of fire suppression.
Environmental Description: This herbaceous community occurs on the Dough Hills Member of the Fleming Formation on uplands over stiff, alkaline, calcareous clays with very high shrink-swell characteristics. Generally classified as Vertisols, these soils typically have pH values 7.5 to 8.0, are olive-gray to gray-black in color, and often contain limestone nodules or marine mollusk shells. The combination of periodic fire, high soil pH and extreme physical soil properties are thought to be important in maintaining this community. The hydrology ranges from dry to mesic (Smith and Craig 1990).
This type is found on Ferris and Houston Black soils on the Sam Houston National Forest (Walker County, Texas) near the periphery of the Pineywoods, as well as on the Tahoula series (Newton County) near the Louisiana border (R. Evans pers. obs.). Based on data from four Ferris soil sites, pH ranged from 5.6-6.2. Interestingly, the upper surface texture of three of these sites was 68, 76, and 80% sand, while the other (SHNF 6010A) was 44% sand and 44% clay. This latter site was the only one with unusually high calcium and magnesium levels. Exposed rock and bare soil are present at some sites, presumably due to past disturbances; these patches tend to be covered with Nostoc spp.
This type is found on Ferris and Houston Black soils on the Sam Houston National Forest (Walker County, Texas) near the periphery of the Pineywoods, as well as on the Tahoula series (Newton County) near the Louisiana border (R. Evans pers. obs.). Based on data from four Ferris soil sites, pH ranged from 5.6-6.2. Interestingly, the upper surface texture of three of these sites was 68, 76, and 80% sand, while the other (SHNF 6010A) was 44% sand and 44% clay. This latter site was the only one with unusually high calcium and magnesium levels. Exposed rock and bare soil are present at some sites, presumably due to past disturbances; these patches tend to be covered with Nostoc spp.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the West Gulf Coastal Plain and Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas. It is also known from Vernon and Rapides parishes of central-western Louisiana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: LA, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687493
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.Nh Southeastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D102 | 2.B.2.Nh |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nh.2 Southeastern Coastal Plain Patch Prairie Macrogroup | M309 | 2.B.2.Nh.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nh.2.a Little Bluestem - Switchgrass - Bushy Bluestem Patch Prairie Group | G175 | 2.B.2.Nh.2.a |
| Alliance | A3318 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass Coastal Plain Prairie Alliance | A3318 | 2.B.2.Nh.2.a |
| Association | CEGL007930 Little Bluestem - Missouri Orange Coneflower - Narrowleaf Gumweed - (Cusp Blazingstar) Grassland | CEGL007930 | 2.B.2.Nh.2.a |
Concept Lineage: (Louisiana Fleming Prairie only) merged
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Fleming Calcareous Prairie (Hart and Lester 1993)
? ID4d. Fleming Calcareous Prairie (Allard 1990)
? ID4d. Fleming Calcareous Prairie (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Craig, N. J., L. M. Smith, N. M. Gilmore, G. D. Lester, and A. M. Williams. 1987. The natural communities of coastal Louisiana: Classification and description. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Coastal Management. 149 pp.
- Evans, Rob. Personal communication. Regional Ecologist, Plant Conservation Program, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Raleigh, NC.
- Hart, B. L., and G. D. Lester. 1993. Natural community and sensitive species assessment on Fort Polk Military Reservation, Louisiana. Final report to Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Memphis, TN. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge, LA, and The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
- Smith, L. M., and N. J. Craig. 1990. The natural communities of Louisiana. Revised edition. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge. 23 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Turner, R. L., J. E. Van Kley, L. S. Smith, and R. E. Evans. No date. Unpublished data from the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The Nature Conservancy, Nacogdoches, TX.