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CEGL004240 Morella (pensylvanica, cerifera) / Schizachyrium littorale - Eupatorium hyssopifolium Shrub Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Northern Bayberry, Wax-myrtle) / Shore Little Bluestem - Hyssopleaf Thoroughwort Shrub Grassland
Colloquial Name: Mid-Atlantic Coast Backdune Shrub Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These mid-Atlantic maritime grasslands occur on deep well-drained sands of interdunes and backdunes. They usually occur within the influence of offshore winds and salt spray. Although highly variable in species composition, the typical expression of this community is characterized by a predominance (25-50% cover) of bunchgrasses including Schizachyrium littorale, Andropogon virginicus, Panicum amarum, Ammophila breviligulata, Dichanthelium scoparium, and Dichanthelium acuminatum. Generally one or two of these species dominate, while the others are less common. Occasionally Spartina patens forms the dominant graminoid cover. Shrubs of Morella pensylvanica and/or Morella cerifera are sparse and stunted Baccharis halimifolia, Prunus maritima, and Diospyros virginiana are even less frequent. Dense tangles of Toxicodendron radicans are very characteristic of this community as they sprawl over the bare ground and sparse vegetation. Rubus argutus and Rhus copallinum are also scattered throughout. Much of the remaining dry sands are exposed with sparsely distributed herbs. Characteristic herb species include Cirsium horridulum, Solidago sempervirens, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, Nuttallanthus canadensis, Euthamia caroliniana, Oenothera humifusa, Oenothera oakesiana, Pityopsis falcata, Opuntia humifusa, and Diodia teres. This association ranges from Massachusetts to North Carolina. It is related to maritime grasslands of New England and New York. Further analysis is required to determine the classification, and thus the range, with confidence. Diagnostic species are Morella pensylvanica, Schizachyrium littorale, Eupatorium hyssopifolium, and Eupatorium rotundifolium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Although highly variable in species composition, the typical expression of this community is characterized by a predominance (25-50% cover) of bunchgrasses including Schizachyrium littorale (= Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale), Andropogon virginicus, Panicum amarum, Ammophila breviligulata, Dichanthelium scoparium, Eragrostis spectabilis, and Dichanthelium acuminatum. Generally one or two of these species is dominant while the others occur as more infrequent, scattered clumps. Occasionally Spartina patens forms the dominant graminoid cover. Shrubs of Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica) are sparse and stunted Baccharis halimifolia, Prunus maritima, and Diospyros virginiana are even less frequent. Dense tangles of Toxicodendron radicans are very characteristic of this association as they sprawl over the bare ground and sparse vegetation. Rubus argutus and Rhus copallinum are also scattered throughout. Much of the remaining dry sands are exposed with sparsely distributed herbs. Characteristic herb species include Cirsium horridulum, Solidago sempervirens, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (= Gnaphalium obtusifolium), Nuttallanthus canadensis (= Linaria canadensis), Euthamia caroliniana (= Euthamia tenuifolia), Oenothera humifusa, Oenothera oakesiana, Pityopsis falcata, Opuntia humifusa, and Diodia teres.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community occurs on deep well-drained sands of old leveled interdunes and backdunes. It usually occurs within the influence of offshore winds and salt spray.
Geographic Range: This community ranges from New Jersey to Virginia and North Carolina on coastal dunes.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: DE, MD, NC, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687600
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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 | A4470 <i>Ammophila breviligulata - Schizachyrium littorale - Spartina patens</i> Dune Grassland | A4470 | 2.B.4.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL004240 (Northern Bayberry, Wax-myrtle) / Shore Little Bluestem - Hyssopleaf Thoroughwort Shrub Grassland | CEGL004240 | 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: = Morella (pensylvanica, cerifera) / Schizachyrium littorale - Eupatorium hyssopifolium Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (TNC 1997a)
= Myrica pensylvanica / Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale - Eupatorium hyssopifolium Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (Bartgis 1986)
< Shrub succession community (Hill 1986) [Assateague Island]
< Xeric shrub community (Higgins et al. 1971) [Assateague Island (particularly at lower elevations)]
= Myrica pensylvanica / Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale - Eupatorium hyssopifolium Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (Bartgis 1986)
< Shrub succession community (Hill 1986) [Assateague Island]
< Xeric shrub community (Higgins et al. 1971) [Assateague Island (particularly at lower elevations)]
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